my photos do the flowers no justice! they were really much nicer (and of course much bigger!). I spent a good three to four hours at the show and still feel i didn't get enough of them.
miss the pretty flowers of england..
Wednesday, 27 December 2006
Friday, 22 December 2006
Singapore River - from mouth to source
(photos by sis & me)
this is one walk i've always wanted to do since I didn't get to do my weeklong London River Thames walk some 10 years ago.. of course it's not quite the same but what to do.. haha.. at the very least i can claim to be patriotic.. hahaha... besides, taking long walks around singapore has always been one of my so-called "senseless quests".. :p.. i'll much rather do that than watch TV... ok, call me mad.. at least i save money..
we started from Bugis MRT, walking towards Victoria Street (next to Lavender MRT station), heading southwards towards the mouth of the river before following the meandering canals through Boon Keng, Potong Pasir, Toa Payoh, Bishan Park and finally to Upper Thomson Rd..
a rough estimate of the distance of yesterday's walk? Not very long, just approximately 14km, mainly along park connectors, but took us some 4 hours because of the bad weather, crossing numerous bridges, an expressway, a couple of underpasses, housing estates, passing schools and factories, exploring a mysterious chinese temple, and saying hellos to the terrapins, egrets, kingfishers and little herons along the way...
waiting for the marina barrage to be completed supposedly by next year (!) and then probably will try to do a Singapore Perimeter walk! :)
(photos by sis & me)
this is one walk i've always wanted to do since I didn't get to do my weeklong London River Thames walk some 10 years ago.. of course it's not quite the same but what to do.. haha.. at the very least i can claim to be patriotic.. hahaha... besides, taking long walks around singapore has always been one of my so-called "senseless quests".. :p.. i'll much rather do that than watch TV... ok, call me mad.. at least i save money..
we started from Bugis MRT, walking towards Victoria Street (next to Lavender MRT station), heading southwards towards the mouth of the river before following the meandering canals through Boon Keng, Potong Pasir, Toa Payoh, Bishan Park and finally to Upper Thomson Rd..
a rough estimate of the distance of yesterday's walk? Not very long, just approximately 14km, mainly along park connectors, but took us some 4 hours because of the bad weather, crossing numerous bridges, an expressway, a couple of underpasses, housing estates, passing schools and factories, exploring a mysterious chinese temple, and saying hellos to the terrapins, egrets, kingfishers and little herons along the way...
waiting for the marina barrage to be completed supposedly by next year (!) and then probably will try to do a Singapore Perimeter walk! :)
Monday, 18 December 2006
When Accountants Get All "Funky"
hahhahhaha... apologies to all my accountant friends... :p plus for those considering this career option, please don't let the conventional opinion of accountants discourage you...
nonetheless, this reminds me of this little piece i read several years ago.. "Why Accountancy Is Not Boring"
hahhahhaha... apologies to all my accountant friends... :p plus for those considering this career option, please don't let the conventional opinion of accountants discourage you...
nonetheless, this reminds me of this little piece i read several years ago.. "Why Accountancy Is Not Boring"
Sunday, 17 December 2006
Wednesday, 29 November 2006
Tuesday, 28 November 2006
Sunday, 12 November 2006
2006 Singapore Motor Show
an assortment of pretty cars, some partially blocked by scantily clad women acting as human accessories, others separated from us by their high platforms or barricades or signs saying "By Invitation Only".. I especially liked the concept cars, though there was discernably fewer this year..
instead, there was a surprising (or perhaps unsurprising) large show of budget cars from China, Malaysia and such.. brands like Geely, Lifan, Perodua, Naza, .. with their impossibly low prices, plasticky feel and 80s interiors.. gulp... for a journey back in time.. hahaha...
an assortment of pretty cars, some partially blocked by scantily clad women acting as human accessories, others separated from us by their high platforms or barricades or signs saying "By Invitation Only".. I especially liked the concept cars, though there was discernably fewer this year..
instead, there was a surprising (or perhaps unsurprising) large show of budget cars from China, Malaysia and such.. brands like Geely, Lifan, Perodua, Naza, .. with their impossibly low prices, plasticky feel and 80s interiors.. gulp... for a journey back in time.. hahaha...
Wednesday, 1 November 2006
Here's to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They're not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They invent.
They imagine.
They heal.
They explore.
They create.
They inspire.
They push the human race forward.
Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?
We make tools for these kinds of people.
While some see them as the crazy ones,
we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world, are the ones who do.
an ad i've always loved. for people who cared to be different.
Thursday, 12 October 2006
Thursday, 5 October 2006
UK drivers think of sex rather than signals (from ST Interactive)
LONDON - Over a million motorists think about sex rather than the road ahead and millions more who don't indulge in intimate thoughts are worrying about work or thinking about their families.
Research from car insurer More Than published on Thursday found one in five drivers admit to concentrating behind the wheel less than 75 percent of the time, with 1.2 million thinking mostly about sex.
And sex wasn't the only non-traffic thoughts motorists have.
For 3.2 million drivers work was the main focus and for 2 million more it was family issues that dominated.
'Unsafe habits can be unlearned just as easily as they can be learned, but first, drivers must recognise the risk they face by not concentrating on their driving,' said Ms Lisa Dorn, director of Driver Research at Cranfield University of the findings.
The study also revealed drivers' pet hates.
Topping the list were tailgaters (28 per cent), lane hoggers (20 per cent) and drivers who cut in (11 per cent).
Other road users who drove too fast and those who drove too slowly were also rated on 11 per cent.
The reaserch carried out by Sky Living for More Than questioned 4,497 adults in June 2006. -- REUTERS
LONDON - Over a million motorists think about sex rather than the road ahead and millions more who don't indulge in intimate thoughts are worrying about work or thinking about their families.
Research from car insurer More Than published on Thursday found one in five drivers admit to concentrating behind the wheel less than 75 percent of the time, with 1.2 million thinking mostly about sex.
And sex wasn't the only non-traffic thoughts motorists have.
For 3.2 million drivers work was the main focus and for 2 million more it was family issues that dominated.
'Unsafe habits can be unlearned just as easily as they can be learned, but first, drivers must recognise the risk they face by not concentrating on their driving,' said Ms Lisa Dorn, director of Driver Research at Cranfield University of the findings.
The study also revealed drivers' pet hates.
Topping the list were tailgaters (28 per cent), lane hoggers (20 per cent) and drivers who cut in (11 per cent).
Other road users who drove too fast and those who drove too slowly were also rated on 11 per cent.
The reaserch carried out by Sky Living for More Than questioned 4,497 adults in June 2006. -- REUTERS
Tuesday, 3 October 2006
Sunday, 24 September 2006
The Final Product
haha.. with all the excited responses coming fast and furious, i couldn't help but post more and bigger pics, especially to help the "visually challenged" see what i have done to my car!
for those who still can't spot the difference.. see here and here (sort of corresponds to the pics above)
love it, hate it, it's ONE OF A KIND! HAHAHAHAH.. :P
haha.. with all the excited responses coming fast and furious, i couldn't help but post more and bigger pics, especially to help the "visually challenged" see what i have done to my car!
for those who still can't spot the difference.. see here and here (sort of corresponds to the pics above)
love it, hate it, it's ONE OF A KIND! HAHAHAHAH.. :P
Sunday, 17 September 2006
Sunday, 10 September 2006
Mosquitotone
According to the newspapers, the Mosquito ringtone is "inaudible to those over 25, and growing numbers of teens are using it to take calls undetectded by parents and teachers"
But children, I CAN hear IT.. and rather clearly too.. its VERY ANNOYING...
so don't even think of trying it in class..
Test it yourself
this is the original one from bbc.. see if u can hear the sound, or just the ambient noise outside the store..
According to the newspapers, the Mosquito ringtone is "inaudible to those over 25, and growing numbers of teens are using it to take calls undetectded by parents and teachers"
But children, I CAN hear IT.. and rather clearly too.. its VERY ANNOYING...
so don't even think of trying it in class..
Test it yourself
this is the original one from bbc.. see if u can hear the sound, or just the ambient noise outside the store..
Tuesday, 5 September 2006
Retirement Villages
what EXACTLY are "retirement villages"?
the ones in the UK and Australia look lovely..
but why IS the singapore government involved in building retirement villages for Singaporeans??
(flips econs textbook for instances of government intervention in the production or provision of goods & services)
**scratches head**
and in Batam???
to assess how the "typical" Singaporean views this, i asked my mother (who's always quick with a witty remark) what she thought about the matter.
"well, why don't they consider euthanasia? it's an even quicker method."
(without another word turns back to her favourite tv programme)
ha. ok. so we have it.. the typical Asian view.. :)
see another fearful one & fearful too
what EXACTLY are "retirement villages"?
the ones in the UK and Australia look lovely..
but why IS the singapore government involved in building retirement villages for Singaporeans??
(flips econs textbook for instances of government intervention in the production or provision of goods & services)
**scratches head**
and in Batam???
to assess how the "typical" Singaporean views this, i asked my mother (who's always quick with a witty remark) what she thought about the matter.
"well, why don't they consider euthanasia? it's an even quicker method."
(without another word turns back to her favourite tv programme)
ha. ok. so we have it.. the typical Asian view.. :)
see another fearful one & fearful too
Happy T Day
among the lovely gifts i got for t-day were 5 dozen red leaf red ballpoint pens.. haha... :) that's like 5 pens per month to mark with.. or around one pen a week... :p
i don't work for these things but it was nice to see all the smiley faces that day.. i do love every single one of the gifts i received.. thanks to all.. :)
here's a little something for all you nice people out there..
among the lovely gifts i got for t-day were 5 dozen red leaf red ballpoint pens.. haha... :) that's like 5 pens per month to mark with.. or around one pen a week... :p
i don't work for these things but it was nice to see all the smiley faces that day.. i do love every single one of the gifts i received.. thanks to all.. :)
here's a little something for all you nice people out there..
Thursday, 31 August 2006
Monday, 28 August 2006
Strongest Dad in the World [From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]
Dick Hoyt, strongest dad in the world. Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day. Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame.... , right? And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs. `He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an institution.''
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to he engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. `There's nothing going on in his brain.'' "Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words?
``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want to do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore for two weeks.'' That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!'' And that sentence changed Dick's life.
He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such rd-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon. `No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor.
For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive ld and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race physically: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year. Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?'' How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon?
Still, Dick tried. Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzz kill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think? Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together. This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time'?
Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time. ``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.'' And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' one doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.''
So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life. Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day. That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
another video of their story
Dick Hoyt, strongest dad in the world. Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day. Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame.... , right? And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs. `He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an institution.''
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to he engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. `There's nothing going on in his brain.'' "Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words?
``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want to do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore for two weeks.'' That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!'' And that sentence changed Dick's life.
He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such rd-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon. `No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor.
For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive ld and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race physically: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year. Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?'' How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon?
Still, Dick tried. Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzz kill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think? Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together. This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time'?
Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time. ``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.'' And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' one doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.''
So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life. Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day. That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
another video of their story
Wednesday, 23 August 2006
Suffering
my throat ulcers are causing me a considerable amount of suffering.. and what poor timing too! especially since the school hols are not here yet and there's stuff i still need to complete before that... sigh... :/ went to doc just now and he took a digital pic of the throat ulcer and it looks a little bit like this except that mine was a bit more defined.. quite yucky..
The exact cause of mouth ulcers is unknown, but factors that appear to provoke them include stress, fatigue, illness, injury from accidental biting, hormonal changes, menstruation, food allergies and deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid.
Chinese medicine points to one's diet or emotions as potential causes of such symptoms of 'heat in the mouth'. Greasy/fried foods or 'energetically hot' food (e.g. spicy food, alcohol) may also trigger mouth ulcers. Emotions such as anger, frustration, resentment, or stress can also impede the proper flow of one's energy and create 'heat' in the body, with such manifestations as canker sores, red eyes, sore throats, insomnia or constipation.
for a lighter touch, someone made stuffed versions of bacteria.. this one is for ULCERS!
click for more "cute germs"
my throat ulcers are causing me a considerable amount of suffering.. and what poor timing too! especially since the school hols are not here yet and there's stuff i still need to complete before that... sigh... :/ went to doc just now and he took a digital pic of the throat ulcer and it looks a little bit like this except that mine was a bit more defined.. quite yucky..
The exact cause of mouth ulcers is unknown, but factors that appear to provoke them include stress, fatigue, illness, injury from accidental biting, hormonal changes, menstruation, food allergies and deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid.
Chinese medicine points to one's diet or emotions as potential causes of such symptoms of 'heat in the mouth'. Greasy/fried foods or 'energetically hot' food (e.g. spicy food, alcohol) may also trigger mouth ulcers. Emotions such as anger, frustration, resentment, or stress can also impede the proper flow of one's energy and create 'heat' in the body, with such manifestations as canker sores, red eyes, sore throats, insomnia or constipation.
for a lighter touch, someone made stuffed versions of bacteria.. this one is for ULCERS!
click for more "cute germs"
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
no wonder it was banned...
hahahahahahaha....
the lifespan of this video online is soooooooo limited.. i'm sure it will soon be removed!
someone is living "dangerously".. cos "Singapore says satire on censorship not funny"
hahahahahahaha....
the lifespan of this video online is soooooooo limited.. i'm sure it will soon be removed!
someone is living "dangerously".. cos "Singapore says satire on censorship not funny"
Saturday, 12 August 2006
Extract from Notes on Nationalism - Essay by George Orwell
Obsession
As nearly as possible, no nationalist ever thinks, talks, or writes about anything except the superiority of his own power unit. It is difficult if not impossible for any nationalist to conceal his allegiance. The smallest slur upon his own unit, or any implied praise of a rival organization, fills him with uneasiness which he can relieve only by making some sharp retort. If the chosen unit is an actual country, such as Ireland or India, he will generally claim superiority for it not only in military power and political virtue, but in art, literature, sport, structure of the language, the physical beauty of the inhabitants, and perhaps even in climate, scenery and cooking.
He will show great sensitiveness about such things as the correct display of flags, relative size of headlines and the order in which different countries are named. Nomenclature plays a very important part in nationalist thought. Countries which have won their independence or gone through a nationalist revolution usually change their names, and any country or other unit round which strong feelings revolve is likely to have several names, each of them carrying a different implication. The two sides of the Spanish Civil War had between them nine or ten names expressing different degrees of love and hatred. Some of these names (e.g. "Patriots" for Franco-supporters, or "Loyalists" for Government-supporters) were frankly question-begging, and there was no single one of the which the two rival factions could have agreed to use.
whole article
Obsession
As nearly as possible, no nationalist ever thinks, talks, or writes about anything except the superiority of his own power unit. It is difficult if not impossible for any nationalist to conceal his allegiance. The smallest slur upon his own unit, or any implied praise of a rival organization, fills him with uneasiness which he can relieve only by making some sharp retort. If the chosen unit is an actual country, such as Ireland or India, he will generally claim superiority for it not only in military power and political virtue, but in art, literature, sport, structure of the language, the physical beauty of the inhabitants, and perhaps even in climate, scenery and cooking.
He will show great sensitiveness about such things as the correct display of flags, relative size of headlines and the order in which different countries are named. Nomenclature plays a very important part in nationalist thought. Countries which have won their independence or gone through a nationalist revolution usually change their names, and any country or other unit round which strong feelings revolve is likely to have several names, each of them carrying a different implication. The two sides of the Spanish Civil War had between them nine or ten names expressing different degrees of love and hatred. Some of these names (e.g. "Patriots" for Franco-supporters, or "Loyalists" for Government-supporters) were frankly question-begging, and there was no single one of the which the two rival factions could have agreed to use.
whole article
Thursday, 10 August 2006
Happy Planet Index (HPI)
On the Happy Planet Index (HPI), we (Singapore) stand at a lowly 131st position...
My personal HPI is 44.9, which is similar to that of Bahamas, Papua New Guinea or Burma. This is above the UK average, slightly below the world average of 46, but well below the reasonable ideal they have set, of 83. A little above that for Singapore, which stands at 40.8..
one might want to read "The Flag" to see if it gives us a clue why.
Happy National Day to all.
On the Happy Planet Index (HPI), we (Singapore) stand at a lowly 131st position...
My personal HPI is 44.9, which is similar to that of Bahamas, Papua New Guinea or Burma. This is above the UK average, slightly below the world average of 46, but well below the reasonable ideal they have set, of 83. A little above that for Singapore, which stands at 40.8..
one might want to read "The Flag" to see if it gives us a clue why.
Happy National Day to all.
Wednesday, 9 August 2006
RECOLLECTIONS
All throughout Singapore early yesterday morning, students listened and responded to the "RECOLLECTIONS" as drafted by MOE
---------------------------------------------
The purpose of doing “Recollections” is to remind us about Singapore’s past and reaffirm our identity as Sin gaporeans. As we read “Recollections”, we hope to reflect on the period of colonization, our independence and together, we look forward to the future with Singapore as our homeland. (see background on MOE site)
Students are requested to read ‘RESPONSE” aloud.
NARRATOR
There was a time, not long ago,
When other flags flew In Singapore,
The British flag in colonial rule,
And the Japanese flag in war.
There was no freedom, no justice,
When our forefathers stepped ashore.
Life was a struggle, bitter and hard.
And families were hungry and poor.
They spoke a dozen different tongues,
Though their dreams were all the same.
But their hopes for a better life were lost
When war and invasion came.
RESPONSE
They had no rights, they had no say,
And they longed to be free one day.
NARRATOR
After the war, we called for change,
For the right to decide our fate.
Some of us wanted democracy;
Others, a Communist state.
Riots and killings in our streets.
Years of hate and fear.
People said we’d never survive!
As independence drew near.
When self-rule came, we took a vote
And Joined Malaysia, merged as one.
But even friends disagree sometime,
And more trouble had soon begun.
RESPONSE
Our happiness was not to be
Until our country could be free.
NARRATOR
August nine, nineteen sixty-five,
We were out of Malaysia...alone’
Against all odds we had to build
A nation of our own.
We’ve come this far, by ourselves,
One people from many lands.
Our forefathers paid the price for us;
Now the future is in our hands.
This is our home, where we belong,
And our flags flies high and free.
But let’s not take for granted
What we have will always be.
RESPONSE
We pledge to keep our nation free
With justice and equality.
All throughout Singapore early yesterday morning, students listened and responded to the "RECOLLECTIONS" as drafted by MOE
---------------------------------------------
The purpose of doing “Recollections” is to remind us about Singapore’s past and reaffirm our identity as Sin gaporeans. As we read “Recollections”, we hope to reflect on the period of colonization, our independence and together, we look forward to the future with Singapore as our homeland. (see background on MOE site)
NARRATOR
There was a time, not long ago,
When other flags flew In Singapore,
The British flag in colonial rule,
And the Japanese flag in war.
There was no freedom, no justice,
When our forefathers stepped ashore.
Life was a struggle, bitter and hard.
And families were hungry and poor.
They spoke a dozen different tongues,
Though their dreams were all the same.
But their hopes for a better life were lost
When war and invasion came.
RESPONSE
They had no rights, they had no say,
And they longed to be free one day.
NARRATOR
After the war, we called for change,
For the right to decide our fate.
Some of us wanted democracy;
Others, a Communist state.
Riots and killings in our streets.
Years of hate and fear.
People said we’d never survive!
As independence drew near.
When self-rule came, we took a vote
And Joined Malaysia, merged as one.
But even friends disagree sometime,
And more trouble had soon begun.
Our happiness was not to be
Until our country could be free.
NARRATOR
August nine, nineteen sixty-five,
We were out of Malaysia...alone’
Against all odds we had to build
A nation of our own.
We’ve come this far, by ourselves,
One people from many lands.
Our forefathers paid the price for us;
Now the future is in our hands.
This is our home, where we belong,
And our flags flies high and free.
But let’s not take for granted
What we have will always be.
We pledge to keep our nation free
With justice and equality.
Monday, 31 July 2006
Wednesday, 26 July 2006
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
Sunday, 23 July 2006
Saturday, 22 July 2006
sunflowers for you
taken at the Changi Airport transit lounge..
email me if you want a bigger res pic for your wallpaper.. its sure to brighten your day! :)
taken at the Changi Airport transit lounge..
email me if you want a bigger res pic for your wallpaper.. its sure to brighten your day! :)
Thursday, 20 July 2006
Yang Mei worms (via email)
Rough translation from the Chinese version(not by me):
A lady in Kunming China bought 2 kilo of yang-mei (can be bought in Singapore when in season) from a fruit vendor who informed her they are freshly picked. After returning home, she put a portion of the fruit in a bowl of salt water and let it soak while she watched TV.
Some time later, she checked the fruits and was suprised to see something wriggling in the bowl of water. She felt suspicious and decided to experiment by soaking the brightly red unsoaked ones with various level of salted water.
In the least salted water, after soaking for 3 mins she discovered 7 white worms desperately wiggling their way to the rim of the bowl to avoid the salt water. Then she soaked the same fruits in a bowl of saltier water, and after 3 mins she discovered 5 more worms emerging from the fruits. Finally she tried the saltiest water and no more worms emerged. And she also noticed the fruits had turned from bright red to patches of white.
Now she realised why whenever she ate this type of fruit she'll always ended up with tummy upset. Thus as a precaution, always rinse in salted water thrice before consuming this kind of fruit (probably apply to any skinless fruits).
Rough translation from the Chinese version(not by me):
A lady in Kunming China bought 2 kilo of yang-mei (can be bought in Singapore when in season) from a fruit vendor who informed her they are freshly picked. After returning home, she put a portion of the fruit in a bowl of salt water and let it soak while she watched TV.
Some time later, she checked the fruits and was suprised to see something wriggling in the bowl of water. She felt suspicious and decided to experiment by soaking the brightly red unsoaked ones with various level of salted water.
In the least salted water, after soaking for 3 mins she discovered 7 white worms desperately wiggling their way to the rim of the bowl to avoid the salt water. Then she soaked the same fruits in a bowl of saltier water, and after 3 mins she discovered 5 more worms emerging from the fruits. Finally she tried the saltiest water and no more worms emerged. And she also noticed the fruits had turned from bright red to patches of white.
Now she realised why whenever she ate this type of fruit she'll always ended up with tummy upset. Thus as a precaution, always rinse in salted water thrice before consuming this kind of fruit (probably apply to any skinless fruits).
Monday, 17 July 2006
hello panda...
now comes in cheese!!
very hard to find.. spent the weekend searching around and it was not to be found in cold storage, ntuc fairprice nor giant or even 2 petrol kiosks.. so far only found in my school canteen and the stall vendor said the supplier refused to disclose his sources! how nasty!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hello Panda is a somewhat popular brand of Japanese biscuits, manufactured by Meiji Seika. Each biscuit consists of a small hollow shortbread layer, within which resides either vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter or chocolate filling, of which the chocolate is more common. Upon the biscuits are cartoon style depictions of giant pandas; presumably this is where the product derives its name. The name could also be a possible allusion to the famed character Hello Kitty.
an allusion to hello kitty?? com'on!! don't insult this cool panda! and i've tried all the favours! :D
and some seem annoyed by the "sickeningly cute anime-stylized panda".. read this..
for the weight conscious, this is a write-up on the nutritional facts of a typical pack of chocolate filled hello panda... 30% fat! hahaha
now comes in cheese!!
very hard to find.. spent the weekend searching around and it was not to be found in cold storage, ntuc fairprice nor giant or even 2 petrol kiosks.. so far only found in my school canteen and the stall vendor said the supplier refused to disclose his sources! how nasty!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hello Panda is a somewhat popular brand of Japanese biscuits, manufactured by Meiji Seika. Each biscuit consists of a small hollow shortbread layer, within which resides either vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter or chocolate filling, of which the chocolate is more common. Upon the biscuits are cartoon style depictions of giant pandas; presumably this is where the product derives its name. The name could also be a possible allusion to the famed character Hello Kitty.
an allusion to hello kitty?? com'on!! don't insult this cool panda! and i've tried all the favours! :D
and some seem annoyed by the "sickeningly cute anime-stylized panda".. read this..
for the weight conscious, this is a write-up on the nutritional facts of a typical pack of chocolate filled hello panda... 30% fat! hahaha
Sunday, 16 July 2006
Wednesday, 12 July 2006
Resepect & Greetings (Spam in Bad English)
From: "ritaarthur@cantv.net"
To: ritaarthur@cantv.net
CC:
Subject: Resepect & Greetings
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2006 11:13:49 -0400
Show Full Headers Back To [INBOX]
Resepect & Greetings,
it is my pleaure to write to you after considering your profile. My name is Mrs Rita Arthur a nationality of South Africa. I am married to Mr. sylvester Arthur who worked with South Africa company in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2004. We were married for fifty years without a child. he died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before he death we were both Buddhist,When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of$3.5Million (Three Million five hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) in a trunkbox and declare it as family valubales for export with a security company here in COTE D' IVOIRE
Presently, this money is still with the security company. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to Monasteries or Temples or better still a Buddha individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want a Buddhist individual that will use this fund to Monasteries or Temples, orphanages, Research centers and widows propagating the word Buddhism and to ensure that the Temples is maintained. I took this decision because I dont have any child that will inherit this money and my husband’s relatives are Christians and the are persecting me because I and my husband convert into buddhism and I dont want my family hard earned money to be misused by them. I dont want a situation where this money will be used in an Christian way. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the security Company. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund. Any delay in your reply will give me room insourcing for a Temples or Buddhist individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here. Hoping to hearing from you with this email address above or below.
Thanks
Mrs Arthur
Hospital number+225-08167898
ritaarthur1@hotmail.com
so much for resepecting me... btw, Rita Arthur is sometimes a nationality of Pakistan and a "born again Christian" ... hahahah
From: "ritaarthur@cantv.net"
To: ritaarthur@cantv.net
CC:
Subject: Resepect & Greetings
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2006 11:13:49 -0400
Show Full Headers Back To [INBOX]
Resepect & Greetings,
it is my pleaure to write to you after considering your profile. My name is Mrs Rita Arthur a nationality of South Africa. I am married to Mr. sylvester Arthur who worked with South Africa company in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2004. We were married for fifty years without a child. he died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before he death we were both Buddhist,When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of$3.5Million (Three Million five hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) in a trunkbox and declare it as family valubales for export with a security company here in COTE D' IVOIRE
Presently, this money is still with the security company. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to Monasteries or Temples or better still a Buddha individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want a Buddhist individual that will use this fund to Monasteries or Temples, orphanages, Research centers and widows propagating the word Buddhism and to ensure that the Temples is maintained. I took this decision because I dont have any child that will inherit this money and my husband’s relatives are Christians and the are persecting me because I and my husband convert into buddhism and I dont want my family hard earned money to be misused by them. I dont want a situation where this money will be used in an Christian way. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the security Company. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund. Any delay in your reply will give me room insourcing for a Temples or Buddhist individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here. Hoping to hearing from you with this email address above or below.
Thanks
Mrs Arthur
Hospital number+225-08167898
ritaarthur1@hotmail.com
so much for resepecting me... btw, Rita Arthur is sometimes a nationality of Pakistan and a "born again Christian" ... hahahah
Tuesday, 11 July 2006
Helping with the publicity: Upcoming event
impressive video and i think it's gonna be an impressive talk..
click here for more details.
impressive video and i think it's gonna be an impressive talk..
click here for more details.
Sunday, 9 July 2006
the vent must NEVER be shut..
the definition from dictionary.com
vent1
n.
1. A means of escape or release from confinement; an outlet: give vent to one's anger.
2. An opening permitting the escape of fumes, a liquid, a gas, or steam.
3. The small hole at the breech of a gun through which the charge is ignited.
4. Zoology. The excretory opening of the digestive tract in animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
5. Geology. 1. The opening of a volcano in the earth's crust; 2. An opening on the ocean floor that emits hot water and dissolved minerals.
v. vent·ed, vent·ing, vents
v. tr.
1. To express (one's thoughts or feelings, for example), especially forcefully.
2. To release or discharge (steam, for example) through an opening.
3. To provide with a vent.
v. intr.
1. To vent one's feelings or opinions.
2. To be released or discharged through an opening.
3. To rise to the surface of water to breathe. Used of a marine mammal.
I know a bad move when i see one..
and TODAY removing the column of well-respected local blogger mrbrown is certainly one such move (see article)
every system needs a vent.. every government needs to offer or to create real opportunity where people can breathe, can speak out loud, can be allowed to "let out air" so they don't 'POP' (or as some like to say - "explode")..
mrbrown was one such outlet for many disgruntled individuals in Singapore - from taxi drivers, office workers, students, aunties and just about everyone - who mumble unhappily under their breaths (or over kopi in the kopitiam or lattes in the cafes) whenever they hear or read of some new policy or the revision of some existing ones, which they cannot understand or accept...
he raised and explained serious issues, and always managed to give these issues no doubt a satirical, but also a lighthearted touch so life could go on.. so everyone would feel like they were being heard and someone out there 'understood' them and even spoke out loud for them...
life felt bearable.. even if things almost never 'improve' quite as quickly as they wanted them to...
but now THEY've closed the vent..
one word.
dumb.
the definition from dictionary.com
vent1
n.
1. A means of escape or release from confinement; an outlet: give vent to one's anger.
2. An opening permitting the escape of fumes, a liquid, a gas, or steam.
3. The small hole at the breech of a gun through which the charge is ignited.
4. Zoology. The excretory opening of the digestive tract in animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
5. Geology. 1. The opening of a volcano in the earth's crust; 2. An opening on the ocean floor that emits hot water and dissolved minerals.
v. vent·ed, vent·ing, vents
v. tr.
1. To express (one's thoughts or feelings, for example), especially forcefully.
2. To release or discharge (steam, for example) through an opening.
3. To provide with a vent.
v. intr.
1. To vent one's feelings or opinions.
2. To be released or discharged through an opening.
3. To rise to the surface of water to breathe. Used of a marine mammal.
I know a bad move when i see one..
and TODAY removing the column of well-respected local blogger mrbrown is certainly one such move (see article)
every system needs a vent.. every government needs to offer or to create real opportunity where people can breathe, can speak out loud, can be allowed to "let out air" so they don't 'POP' (or as some like to say - "explode")..
mrbrown was one such outlet for many disgruntled individuals in Singapore - from taxi drivers, office workers, students, aunties and just about everyone - who mumble unhappily under their breaths (or over kopi in the kopitiam or lattes in the cafes) whenever they hear or read of some new policy or the revision of some existing ones, which they cannot understand or accept...
he raised and explained serious issues, and always managed to give these issues no doubt a satirical, but also a lighthearted touch so life could go on.. so everyone would feel like they were being heard and someone out there 'understood' them and even spoke out loud for them...
life felt bearable.. even if things almost never 'improve' quite as quickly as they wanted them to...
but now THEY've closed the vent..
one word.
dumb.
Thursday, 6 July 2006
Thursday, 29 June 2006
where did my money go?
as yet another bill came in my mail today, i suddenly pondered on why i'm always feeling so "poor"...
where has all my money gone??
for those who know me, other than my occasional/rare indulgence in consumer durables (which has since dwindled further - my last so called "luxury" purchase being a discontinued model of Canon G2 digital camera - which cost me $699 - some three years back) and an odd independent budget trip (where i stay in US$10 hotels) here and there around Asia, I hardly spend in a month on anything i can remotely call a "luxury"...
i don't eat in fancy restaurants, nor watch too many movies in the cinema... i keep my phone bills and internet bills lean, and drive a simple Suzuki Swift using unleaded 95 petrol (and not 98) and try to drive efficiently .. and i have a wardrobe i dread to look at, containing stuff i should long have disposed of or donated away.. (hahahaa..:p )..
i don't even buy too many books and CDs nowadays (which were some of my previous "little luxuries")..
yet when i read of "Ministers on Pensions".. and "High salaries of some civil servants" and worse of all, the fact that hardly anything of what i give in taxes every year (which to me is a pretty substantial sum) actually comes back to me (cos i don't fall into any of the "categories" of people who deserve to be "rewarded" with tax reliefs (i.e. married, 3 children, NS etc) nor goes to areas that i would wish to see supported... i somehow feel... (well... i don't know how to describe the feeling...)
but i did get S$400 recently from the Progress Package (yes.. clap clap...rejoice rejoice...).. yippee.. out of all the tax money i pay out.. yippee...
i sigh out loud.. :(
Updates:
- What a coincidence: there was an article in Today about "S'poreans are fed, up with progress!" by Mr Brown. :)
- for Econs students: pls work on essay assignment with article: "To what extent can the MRP theory explain the wage differentials shown in the article?" - occupational hazard.. a teacher cannot help but spot a learning opportunity when she sees one..:p..
as yet another bill came in my mail today, i suddenly pondered on why i'm always feeling so "poor"...
where has all my money gone??
for those who know me, other than my occasional/rare indulgence in consumer durables (which has since dwindled further - my last so called "luxury" purchase being a discontinued model of Canon G2 digital camera - which cost me $699 - some three years back) and an odd independent budget trip (where i stay in US$10 hotels) here and there around Asia, I hardly spend in a month on anything i can remotely call a "luxury"...
i don't eat in fancy restaurants, nor watch too many movies in the cinema... i keep my phone bills and internet bills lean, and drive a simple Suzuki Swift using unleaded 95 petrol (and not 98) and try to drive efficiently .. and i have a wardrobe i dread to look at, containing stuff i should long have disposed of or donated away.. (hahahaa..:p )..
i don't even buy too many books and CDs nowadays (which were some of my previous "little luxuries")..
yet when i read of "Ministers on Pensions".. and "High salaries of some civil servants" and worse of all, the fact that hardly anything of what i give in taxes every year (which to me is a pretty substantial sum) actually comes back to me (cos i don't fall into any of the "categories" of people who deserve to be "rewarded" with tax reliefs (i.e. married, 3 children, NS etc) nor goes to areas that i would wish to see supported... i somehow feel... (well... i don't know how to describe the feeling...)
but i did get S$400 recently from the Progress Package (yes.. clap clap...rejoice rejoice...).. yippee.. out of all the tax money i pay out.. yippee...
i sigh out loud.. :(
Updates:
- What a coincidence: there was an article in Today about "S'poreans are fed, up with progress!" by Mr Brown. :)
- for Econs students: pls work on essay assignment with article: "To what extent can the MRP theory explain the wage differentials shown in the article?" - occupational hazard.. a teacher cannot help but spot a learning opportunity when she sees one..:p..
Friday, 23 June 2006
the power of the media
i don't mean my blog to be particularly "political" but i can't help but want to share what i just read here about Chee Soon Juan..
until now, pretty much everyone i know (and i'm talking here about us common men & women-on-the-street) who ever mentions him, especially during election time, speaks of him in disparaging terms, using unflattering words like "untrustworthy", "joker", "crazy", "siding with the foreigners", "liar", "traitor", "troublemaker", "doesn't know what he is talking about"... many did not think him "fit to be a politician" from the "manner" he was reported to have confronted the ruling party members "head on", "harassing them" with his accusastions, resulting in an endless string of defamation suits against him, as well as how he had "supported the Western media's attack on Singapore" way back some 10 years ago..
i even read somewhere someone saying about him, "I cannot help wondering whether Dr. Chee and his colleagues are fighting for democracy or is it a personal vendetta against the government."
however, after i read the article, i started to ponder a little on why myself and the people i know have always had such a poor opinion of this guy whom i personally have never even heard from directly nor read his books... whence comes this impression of him...?
Only then did i truly comprehend the immense power of the regulated local media... i gasped at how narrow my view had become from my limited diet of the goings-on around me...as how i've slurped up the local media's report on what PM Lee said recently in NZ..
"Singaporean voters are not fools. They judge who are the more credible candidates, and they know that this man and his party are not credible. That he's a liar, he's a cheat, he is deceitful, he's confrontational and it's a destructive form of politics designed not to win elections in Singapore but to impress foreign supporters and to make himself out to be a martyr," Mr Lee said.
chee soon juan himself spoke on this..
"When they run my picture in the newspapers you expect to see horns growing out of my head," says the leader of the Singapore Democratic Party. "I don't blame people for not voting for us. If I relied for my information on the newspapers here I wouldn't vote for me either."
why is the media messing with my mind?? :(
i don't mean my blog to be particularly "political" but i can't help but want to share what i just read here about Chee Soon Juan..
until now, pretty much everyone i know (and i'm talking here about us common men & women-on-the-street) who ever mentions him, especially during election time, speaks of him in disparaging terms, using unflattering words like "untrustworthy", "joker", "crazy", "siding with the foreigners", "liar", "traitor", "troublemaker", "doesn't know what he is talking about"... many did not think him "fit to be a politician" from the "manner" he was reported to have confronted the ruling party members "head on", "harassing them" with his accusastions, resulting in an endless string of defamation suits against him, as well as how he had "supported the Western media's attack on Singapore" way back some 10 years ago..
i even read somewhere someone saying about him, "I cannot help wondering whether Dr. Chee and his colleagues are fighting for democracy or is it a personal vendetta against the government."
however, after i read the article, i started to ponder a little on why myself and the people i know have always had such a poor opinion of this guy whom i personally have never even heard from directly nor read his books... whence comes this impression of him...?
Only then did i truly comprehend the immense power of the regulated local media... i gasped at how narrow my view had become from my limited diet of the goings-on around me...as how i've slurped up the local media's report on what PM Lee said recently in NZ..
"Singaporean voters are not fools. They judge who are the more credible candidates, and they know that this man and his party are not credible. That he's a liar, he's a cheat, he is deceitful, he's confrontational and it's a destructive form of politics designed not to win elections in Singapore but to impress foreign supporters and to make himself out to be a martyr," Mr Lee said.
chee soon juan himself spoke on this..
"When they run my picture in the newspapers you expect to see horns growing out of my head," says the leader of the Singapore Democratic Party. "I don't blame people for not voting for us. If I relied for my information on the newspapers here I wouldn't vote for me either."
why is the media messing with my mind?? :(
Friday, 16 June 2006
Spare a thought for our fellow Singaporeans at Hougang and Potong Pasir
sign this petition!
not out of sympathy, but because (as a taxpayer), i feel money should go where it is most needed and not to help support particular political parties...
(as a forum letter says "I really don't mind not having a swimming pool, a sports stadium, a bicycle track or more covered walkways in Pasir Ris if the money could be used for more urgent and meaningful needs, like lift upgrading in Hougang and Potong Pasir.")
i second this.
--------------------
See related story.... ST June 11, 2006
No $100m upgrading package for Hougang
HOUGANG constituency, which returned Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang to power in the recent elections, will not be getting the $100 million upgrading package that was offered to the residents during the elections anytime soon.
The $100 million package was seen as an incentive for the residents to vote for the People's Action Party candidate there, Mr Eric Low. But he lost to the incumbent opposition MP, Mr Low Thia Khiang, in the polls.
After the election, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said that Mr Low Thia Khiang could still ask for the money as the Government had been prepared to put up a budget for it.
But Mr Mah (Bow Tan) told The Sunday Times that since Mr Low lost, Hougang will not get the money.
He said: 'The upgrading package that was offered for Hougang was part of the PAP candidate's programme for residents in the estate.
'The residents there decided that they are not ready to say 'yes' to the package. We will respect their decision.'
The minister said that though 130 blocks in Potong Pasir and Hougang were eligible for upgrading, there were about 800 blocks in other parts of Singapore that are older or as old that had not been spruced up in any way.
He said: 'To honour our commitment to the electorate, the Government will accord priority to blocks in the PAP wards.'
sign this petition!
not out of sympathy, but because (as a taxpayer), i feel money should go where it is most needed and not to help support particular political parties...
(as a forum letter says "I really don't mind not having a swimming pool, a sports stadium, a bicycle track or more covered walkways in Pasir Ris if the money could be used for more urgent and meaningful needs, like lift upgrading in Hougang and Potong Pasir.")
i second this.
--------------------
See related story.... ST June 11, 2006
No $100m upgrading package for Hougang
HOUGANG constituency, which returned Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang to power in the recent elections, will not be getting the $100 million upgrading package that was offered to the residents during the elections anytime soon.
The $100 million package was seen as an incentive for the residents to vote for the People's Action Party candidate there, Mr Eric Low. But he lost to the incumbent opposition MP, Mr Low Thia Khiang, in the polls.
After the election, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said that Mr Low Thia Khiang could still ask for the money as the Government had been prepared to put up a budget for it.
But Mr Mah (Bow Tan) told The Sunday Times that since Mr Low lost, Hougang will not get the money.
He said: 'The upgrading package that was offered for Hougang was part of the PAP candidate's programme for residents in the estate.
'The residents there decided that they are not ready to say 'yes' to the package. We will respect their decision.'
The minister said that though 130 blocks in Potong Pasir and Hougang were eligible for upgrading, there were about 800 blocks in other parts of Singapore that are older or as old that had not been spruced up in any way.
He said: 'To honour our commitment to the electorate, the Government will accord priority to blocks in the PAP wards.'
Monday, 12 June 2006
Friday, 9 June 2006
The Theory of the Dipper and the Bucket
Each of us has an invisible bucket. It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty, we feel awful.
Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to fill other people's buckets -- by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions -- we also fill our own bucket. But when we use that dipper to dip from others' buckets -- by saying or doing things that decrease their positive emotions -- we diminish ourselves.
Like the cup that runneth over, a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop in that bucket makes us stronger and more optimistic.
But an empty bucket poisons our outlook, saps our energy, and undermines our will. That's why every time someone dips from our bucket, it hurts us.
So we face a choice every moment of every day: We can fill one another's buckets, or we can dip from them. It's an important choice -- one that profoundly influences our relationships, productivity, health, and happiness.
-- From How Full Is Your Bucket? (Gallup Press, 2004)
Each of us has an invisible bucket. It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty, we feel awful.
Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to fill other people's buckets -- by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions -- we also fill our own bucket. But when we use that dipper to dip from others' buckets -- by saying or doing things that decrease their positive emotions -- we diminish ourselves.
Like the cup that runneth over, a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop in that bucket makes us stronger and more optimistic.
But an empty bucket poisons our outlook, saps our energy, and undermines our will. That's why every time someone dips from our bucket, it hurts us.
So we face a choice every moment of every day: We can fill one another's buckets, or we can dip from them. It's an important choice -- one that profoundly influences our relationships, productivity, health, and happiness.
-- From How Full Is Your Bucket? (Gallup Press, 2004)
Thursday, 8 June 2006
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
x-men
thought provoking..
Quotation
The X-Men are hated, feared and despised collectively by humanity for no other reason than that they are mutants. So what we have here, intended or not, is a book that is about racism, bigotry and prejudice.
Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont, 1982
For other possible social issues reflected in the show, click here and scroll down.
thought provoking..
Quotation
The X-Men are hated, feared and despised collectively by humanity for no other reason than that they are mutants. So what we have here, intended or not, is a book that is about racism, bigotry and prejudice.
Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont, 1982
For other possible social issues reflected in the show, click here and scroll down.
Friday, 2 June 2006
extract from singapore travelogue
i was surfing the net for some malaysia road maps when i came across this globetrotter's travelogue on singapore...
"In our brief stints in Singapore it seems like all we ate was noodles. Fried noodles, noodles in soup, it all tasted good to me. The drinks served were much more of an "adventure." In the few hours of our layover there we had "Grass Jely Juice" which did indeed have actual bits of some jellylike substance and was the first to make our list of "worst drinks". "Water Chestnut Juice" was the second to make the list for no reason that I can decribe beyond it tasted bad.
The topper was the ice tea that we got after wandering about the extremely hot and humid midday of Singapore. We sat down in a food court and saw a tantalizing fishtank sized contanier full of iced tea and huge chunks of ice (don't worry, the water is safe in Singapore). We got two large glasses of it, but two our horror it was extermely salty! I don't know if I'll ever look at ice tea the same again.
These "traumas of beverages" were made up for in our second stop through Singapore all because of a bakery we like to call "Bread Talk." Well, I guess they like to call it Bread Talk as well since thats it's name. They had a chocolate bread pastry stuffed with this creamy espresso filling which was possibly the best pastry I've ever had. Sarah agrees and also thought the eclaire there was incredible. I didn't try it but after the espresso pastry I have no doubts about it. Bread talk was also the bakery that brings Singapore the pastry "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Bacon." I didn't try it but I thought the name was worth mentioning."
oh dear.. doesn't he make singapore sound dreadfully strange?
i was surfing the net for some malaysia road maps when i came across this globetrotter's travelogue on singapore...
"In our brief stints in Singapore it seems like all we ate was noodles. Fried noodles, noodles in soup, it all tasted good to me. The drinks served were much more of an "adventure." In the few hours of our layover there we had "Grass Jely Juice" which did indeed have actual bits of some jellylike substance and was the first to make our list of "worst drinks". "Water Chestnut Juice" was the second to make the list for no reason that I can decribe beyond it tasted bad.
The topper was the ice tea that we got after wandering about the extremely hot and humid midday of Singapore. We sat down in a food court and saw a tantalizing fishtank sized contanier full of iced tea and huge chunks of ice (don't worry, the water is safe in Singapore). We got two large glasses of it, but two our horror it was extermely salty! I don't know if I'll ever look at ice tea the same again.
These "traumas of beverages" were made up for in our second stop through Singapore all because of a bakery we like to call "Bread Talk." Well, I guess they like to call it Bread Talk as well since thats it's name. They had a chocolate bread pastry stuffed with this creamy espresso filling which was possibly the best pastry I've ever had. Sarah agrees and also thought the eclaire there was incredible. I didn't try it but after the espresso pastry I have no doubts about it. Bread talk was also the bakery that brings Singapore the pastry "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Bacon." I didn't try it but I thought the name was worth mentioning."
oh dear.. doesn't he make singapore sound dreadfully strange?
Thursday, 1 June 2006
ladybug!!!
i haven't seen one since i was in primary school!!!
i remember that back then, they'll always fly into our flat in the middle of the day.. the common red ones with black spots, yellow ones with black spots, some that look like new york cabs... even white ones and one that looks like this! there are apparently nearly 5,000 species worldwide! we'll catch these dot-sized bugs in little glass containers to examine them for hours before letting them go.. after all, who could resist these fascinating creatures..?
then one day, the ladybugs got fed up. they were sick and tired of people's fascination and yet captivity of them.. they convened and finally made a drastic but desperate decision...
..to forever hide from the human eye.. into the dark cloak of the night.. and we couldn't see them no more, no matter how hard we searched....
(i'm sure of this fact because i checked with all my friends and their first reaction is always: "Ya! i haven't seen one for a really long time!")
but i was up at 3am last night and one flew onto my table where i was working on something! i couldn't believe my eyes and no words can express how i felt at that time..
anyway, i'm glad they're still around :).. cute fellas, eh?
i haven't seen one since i was in primary school!!!
i remember that back then, they'll always fly into our flat in the middle of the day.. the common red ones with black spots, yellow ones with black spots, some that look like new york cabs... even white ones and one that looks like this! there are apparently nearly 5,000 species worldwide! we'll catch these dot-sized bugs in little glass containers to examine them for hours before letting them go.. after all, who could resist these fascinating creatures..?
then one day, the ladybugs got fed up. they were sick and tired of people's fascination and yet captivity of them.. they convened and finally made a drastic but desperate decision...
..to forever hide from the human eye.. into the dark cloak of the night.. and we couldn't see them no more, no matter how hard we searched....
(i'm sure of this fact because i checked with all my friends and their first reaction is always: "Ya! i haven't seen one for a really long time!")
but i was up at 3am last night and one flew onto my table where i was working on something! i couldn't believe my eyes and no words can express how i felt at that time..
anyway, i'm glad they're still around :).. cute fellas, eh?
Sunday, 28 May 2006
wasped again!!?
we've been invaded by the disgusting green fellas again!!
for a change, here's a video of them rockin' & rollin' after their release from their dusty cocoons ... turn on the volume for the ambient noise, it's quite cool... hahahah
i need a life... :p.. and i think its time to clean the house..
we've been invaded by the disgusting green fellas again!!
for a change, here's a video of them rockin' & rollin' after their release from their dusty cocoons ... turn on the volume for the ambient noise, it's quite cool... hahahah
i need a life... :p.. and i think its time to clean the house..
Thursday, 25 May 2006
Where I am NOW...
this is rather accurate.. but i shan't tell you the bits that are and those that are not.. :P
Your Existing Situation
Willing and adaptable. Only at peace when closely attached to a person, group, or organization on a which reliance can be placed.
Your Stress Sources
The tenacity and strength of will necessary to contend with existing difficulties has become weakened. Feels overtaxed, worn out, and getting nowhere, but continues to stand her ground. She feels this adverse situation as an actual tangible pressure which is intolerable to her and from which she wants to escape, but she feels unable to make the necessary decision.
Your Restrained Characteristics
Conditions are such that she will not let herself become intimately involved without making mental reservations.
Able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity. :O
Your Desired Objective
Has exaggerated demands on life which are concealed behind specious rationalization and cautious behavior. Wishes to impress others with her achievements, but camouflages this desire and is inclined to be covert.
Your Actual Problem
Failure to establish herself in a manner consonant with her own high opinion of her worth, combined with the continued effort to prove herself with inadequate resources, have resulted in considerable stress. Tries to escape from these excessive demands on her meager reserves by adopting a defensive attitude in which she refuses to be committed, or to be involved in further unpleasantness.
this is rather accurate.. but i shan't tell you the bits that are and those that are not.. :P
Your Existing Situation
Willing and adaptable. Only at peace when closely attached to a person, group, or organization on a which reliance can be placed.
Your Stress Sources
The tenacity and strength of will necessary to contend with existing difficulties has become weakened. Feels overtaxed, worn out, and getting nowhere, but continues to stand her ground. She feels this adverse situation as an actual tangible pressure which is intolerable to her and from which she wants to escape, but she feels unable to make the necessary decision.
Your Restrained Characteristics
Conditions are such that she will not let herself become intimately involved without making mental reservations.
Able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity. :O
Your Desired Objective
Has exaggerated demands on life which are concealed behind specious rationalization and cautious behavior. Wishes to impress others with her achievements, but camouflages this desire and is inclined to be covert.
Your Actual Problem
Failure to establish herself in a manner consonant with her own high opinion of her worth, combined with the continued effort to prove herself with inadequate resources, have resulted in considerable stress. Tries to escape from these excessive demands on her meager reserves by adopting a defensive attitude in which she refuses to be committed, or to be involved in further unpleasantness.
 | hweeling took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! |
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
The Swift
yesterday, on my way home from work, a sweet little red car on the opposite side of the road suddenly caught my eye. it caught my attention because it looked like the kind of car that i would love to drive...
it was cute, sporty, zippy, yet not a "oh-i'm-so-cute-don't-u-love-me" wannabe like that.. urgh.. Nissan March - RETCH..!!!!
but i couldn't see what model it was because i could only see the side of it.. it was PERFECT... i craned my neck as my car was held back by the red light, trying hard to see if i could see the car model stated at the back of the car...
then when i finally inched forward enough to see it, it turned out to be .....
EXACTLY THE SAME CAR I AM ALREADY DRIVING NOW!!
HAHAHAHAHahaha... :">
an unexpectedly bimbotic moment ... :p...
gonna go for a roadtrip soon with my OWN little red car!! yippeee!! :)
yesterday, on my way home from work, a sweet little red car on the opposite side of the road suddenly caught my eye. it caught my attention because it looked like the kind of car that i would love to drive...
it was cute, sporty, zippy, yet not a "oh-i'm-so-cute-don't-u-love-me" wannabe like that.. urgh.. Nissan March - RETCH..!!!!
but i couldn't see what model it was because i could only see the side of it.. it was PERFECT... i craned my neck as my car was held back by the red light, trying hard to see if i could see the car model stated at the back of the car...
then when i finally inched forward enough to see it, it turned out to be .....
EXACTLY THE SAME CAR I AM ALREADY DRIVING NOW!!
HAHAHAHAHahaha... :">
an unexpectedly bimbotic moment ... :p...
gonna go for a roadtrip soon with my OWN little red car!! yippeee!! :)
Sunday, 21 May 2006
Sipadan Reefs damaged
i gasped at the extent of the damage and couldn't speak for a while.. i didn't know whether to grieve more for nature, or for the stupidity of mankind... :'( ... how much longer must nature suffer at the hands of those who do not care?
"Sipadan - Tragic Incident." By Antonella Ferrari. FiNS blog, 16th May 2006.
Photo from article
Excerpt -
"An enormous steel barge carrying thousands of tonnes of coarse gravel, sand, steel tubes, iron mesh, prime movers, a large bulldozer and a gigantic crane, which had incredibly been allowed to anchor right in front of Sipadan's legendary dropoff before unloading its cargo on the supposedly protected island was pushed against the reef by wind, ending up beached on the island like some monstrous whale.
In the process of being beached, the barge scraped clean thousands of years of nature's delicate work between the old pier and Barracuda Point. The barge's flat steel hull wiped corals away like a giant knife slicing through butter, leaving in its wake hundreds of square metres of unnaturally flat limestone, and a veritable wall of coral and debris piled up against the beach."
i gasped at the extent of the damage and couldn't speak for a while.. i didn't know whether to grieve more for nature, or for the stupidity of mankind... :'( ... how much longer must nature suffer at the hands of those who do not care?
"Sipadan - Tragic Incident." By Antonella Ferrari. FiNS blog, 16th May 2006.
Excerpt -
"An enormous steel barge carrying thousands of tonnes of coarse gravel, sand, steel tubes, iron mesh, prime movers, a large bulldozer and a gigantic crane, which had incredibly been allowed to anchor right in front of Sipadan's legendary dropoff before unloading its cargo on the supposedly protected island was pushed against the reef by wind, ending up beached on the island like some monstrous whale.
In the process of being beached, the barge scraped clean thousands of years of nature's delicate work between the old pier and Barracuda Point. The barge's flat steel hull wiped corals away like a giant knife slicing through butter, leaving in its wake hundreds of square metres of unnaturally flat limestone, and a veritable wall of coral and debris piled up against the beach."
Tuesday, 16 May 2006
Turning Batty
the sudden appearance of a (seemingly) large number of fruit bats in the school compound has resulted in a buzz of excitement amongst the student body.. it has turned the usually placid, unexcitable students rather.. umm batty...
the teachers, on the other hand, have decided not to bat their eyelids on the matter..
-------------
Update (17 May)
More of the batty fellows have since appeared..
the sudden appearance of a (seemingly) large number of fruit bats in the school compound has resulted in a buzz of excitement amongst the student body.. it has turned the usually placid, unexcitable students rather.. umm batty...
the teachers, on the other hand, have decided not to bat their eyelids on the matter..
-------------
Update (17 May)
More of the batty fellows have since appeared..
Friday, 12 May 2006
Cute Technology
StarWars!!
fluffy webcams, animal shaped speakers and funky usb thumbdrives.. cute & practical.. the perfect combination... find more at sites like Shiny Shiny or just google for them..
StarWars!!fluffy webcams, animal shaped speakers and funky usb thumbdrives.. cute & practical.. the perfect combination... find more at sites like Shiny Shiny or just google for them..
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