Thailand?

For some miscommunication, I was in office today! Could actually have joined the Bangkok trip. Responded to my appraisal since I was in office. It's going to be one big confrontation one week from now.

Time to look for a chef...

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

If this was the version showed in Singapore, then I don't mind watching it live at the studio for every single episode!

"Is that your final answer?"

Pirates Of The Carribbean

Pirates Of The Carribbean. Just finished part one tonight. Tomorrow night will be part two. Complete with the part three movie on Wednesday night. Hee...

Great Singapore Sale

The Great Singapore Sale is back (again). Well, it happens every year, so what is so great about it? Just excuses for the shops to have sales, and most importantly excuses for the shoppers to shop. But well, whichever works...

I tried one after another or pants, shirt, pants, berms, pants and ended up with no purchase. Argh.....wonder it is so tough for me to decide on what to buy these days....

Funny thing is, I had more fun throwing basketballs into hoops at the amusement centre in Bishan with AlphaRomeo instead. As usual, people are wondering why we are perspiring in an air-conditioned place :op

Party!

Finally!!!!! The party that took four years of waiting......over in one night.....

Almost got sabo-ed onstage for the games......well, at this crucial point, I must be busy talking on the phone :op

I guess now everyone is looking forward to the the Dinner & Dance...

Friends & Thoughts

Concerned for my friends. Start to think about their problems too. But is that a bit far fetched?

But yet I can't stop thinking about his or his or her or her problems....... Natural born kaypoh?

Quite happy to hear about Marijke's second kid :o)

Anna Renee Elding

nice name!

Mail Clearing Machine

112 mails. Lesser than what I expected :o)

So I worked like a mail clearing machine on the first day. Some people actually thought I was still away and were surprised that I am responding. Maybe I should put Out Of Office for the whole year hehehe

It's really so much less convenient not to be using a laptop anymore........but well, I am not supposed to be working after office hours......at least I should not be :op

Next

Just saw 'Next' with Jacy, Mr & Mrs Atom. A little exaggerated at various points in the movie. Jessica was really just for eye candy in the show. Nothing much else since the character is not exactly developed.

Moore was way more suited for Hannibal. This movie does not bring out the best in her.

Well, at least I did something for a normal civilian since I came out...

刚放出来

刚放出来!!!

Just finished with reservist. Pretty much happening in there, but I guess there is nothing much to write about. Did have a good time with the usual guys. Get to meet them once a year. May not have that anymore from next year if the downgrade does happen. Perhaps there is still the refresher course.

Back to work tomorrow. Expecting to fight other people's fire.

Reservist

Back to reservist for one day refresher's training. One shot one kill. All over in a matter of minutes for me this time.

I wonder if I can really set an intravenous drip that fast when it is really needed. Sometimes when you badly need something, it becomes harder to achieve.

Hmmm.....well, anyway I'm going back to camp on Monday for seven days. Time to produce the letter stating my condition. Wonder what the MO will say about me this time. He thinks I am a skiver.......

When Will I See You Again?

She left today. This was taken while waiting at the airport. We were just talking and talking. Guess we have always been comfortable with each other. I knew I would miss her when she finally had to make her way to the gate. We hugged a farewell that was a few seconds but felt like eternity. That was as close as we got since we last met up a few years ago and.......I wonder when I will see her again?

Thanks for the past few days.....I will remember you always!

China, India & Dempsey

I melted under the sun trying to snap this picture for Joey. It was that hot on all the days that Shin Yuh said Singapore is supposed to have thunderstorms. Great! Excellet weather forecast! But well, it is still better than not being able to go anywhere because of the rain.

How can I not bring her to try the XO Fish Bee Hoon Soup while at Chinatown eh?! And people say I don't drink.....I even have my alcohol in soup.....well, I hope this does not tempt me to start drinking (again)!

Little India! Curry...................................

The table did not look so neat after we attacked the food actually....

Dempsey Road....quite a nice place to drink and chit chat. A pity that we went late and did not spend much time there. But I think I will go back there again. Someday.

That's Tingie and Shin Yuh sitting on the other side.

I'm so relaxed......

Arab Street

Ashley introduced a place to have Peranakan food that is located somewhere near Arab Street. It's quite nice, with Thai and Indonesian mix. Not to mention a waiter trying to impress us with the history of the place.......well, I may go back there again, if I remember how to go. Here's one with Ashley and Joey!


We walked around looking for a nice cafe to sit for drinks and some chit chat. I never knew there were shops along Arab Street selling clothes and so many cafes too! Well, still not too late to find out! Came to this cafe known as Pitch Black (reminds me of Vin Diesel). It has a mini theatre in the second level that allows you to watch the screenings (everyday) for free if you spend a minimum of $5 on drinks or food. They show reasonable stuff and the schedule is on their website too............quite like it so far.....

Not a fantastic place for drinks (this is along Orchard Road, near to Centrepoint), but quite ok music. Well, we just wanted to sit and chill.

Ultra Famous Super Kung Fu Iced Milk Tea

Far East Plaza was perhaps Joey's favourite shopping place. Or maybe anywhere that sells fruit juices! As usual, she orders her stuff and end up taking my drink and giving hers to me! Spotted a highly skilled drink which we did not try though...

So many places to go................

Joey @ Zoo!

Despite trying so hard to plan Joey's trip to Sentosa, we decided the zoo first. She was really fascinated with the zoo really. You would be if you had tried going to the one in London! Well, a pity that we did not get to see any penguins or pandas, but she saw the polar bears! I guess it is quite nice to pop into the zoo once in a long while. I had a great time there too.

Finished off with major shopping in the alleys of Bugis Street and dinner in Bugis Junction. I never knew that going out can be so much more tiring than working!!! Well, maybe the walking and the sun and age? (These days I get dropped jaws when people find out my age...grrr)

Joey @ Vivo City

We went to Vivo City just to have a look at the huge shopping centre. As usual, most people get a little lost when they get there. Her main purpose here was to visit Shin Yuh and myself, so I guess shopping was not on the top priority list (Hong Kong sells stuff cheaper maybe!).

But I guess there is only eat and shop in Singapore. Not much of a tourist attraction around. It is the country culture as a whole that is an experience I guess.

Well, to satisfy some of her cravings, bought some stuff at the basement stalls. Bread Papa, Yakitori sticks, breaded sausage (yucks) and the likes.

Thomas joined us for dinner at Clarke Quay. Then we went for a walk along the river towards the WONDERFUL Merlion. We saw a group of children jumping into the Singapore River along the way!

The Arrival Of Joey

Joey arrived in Singapore! Wanted to surprise her at the arrival gate, but caught her halfway there. Heh. Well, still...it was nice to fetch her from within.

Gonna be spending the next few days with her and bring her around! Hmmm, not a very good tour guide myself, but I suppose she should have no problems with food going out with me hehehe...

Think we're going to Sentosa tomorrow. To the beach!!!!

I have not seen her for such a long long long long time................................

Can't even believe we used to be together.....wahahaha....how can she even stand me?

Spiderman 3

Just finished Spiderman 3 with Heng Kah, Joanne and Tingie. Thanks to Stanley who got four tickets but had to pass them on. Kind of accelerated the arrangement to watch it.

Was a little disappointed with the show, considering the hype leading to it. Think I might look forward more to Fantastic Four II. Guess gotta wait till it is out then.

Tingie's appetite is growing! That is good lah, she need to put on some more weight. With the stronger howling winds these days, she just might be blown off.

Almost Gone

Had dinner at Fisherman's Wharf with Andrew, Chan Khee, Connel, Vanessa and Josiah! (He is growing so big already.)

We went for a walk along Clarke Quay before I had to head and pick Tingie for the movie. Was about 3 metres from the traffic light when I saw that it was green man for a few seconds. Considering that traffic lights are fast changing at so many places, decided to quickly step up to cross the road. At that moment, a car zoomed past.

It was red light. Good thing I checked before I cross. Stared at the car in disbelief as the driver just went off as though nothing happened. Connel and Chan Khee were a little shocked. I really wonder how there can be such drivers on the road. What the shit are those testers doing?

Because

How would I, knowing that it is one way?

Where would I, knowing that it is one way?

What should I, knowing that it is one way?

Why should I, knowing that it is one way?

Because I never expected a return.

200 Pounds Beauty

Just came back from watching "200 Pounds Beauty" with Debbie. Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing and laughing and laughing............think I will get this on DVD :o)

Kim Ah Joong is only 22! Looks so much like Vivian Hsu...

Mariah Carey

She made me love live music.

Total Eclipse Of The Heart

Blast this song and you are instantly transported off somewhere into the music........

There are times when song lyrics say it all....you just keep quiet and absorb yourself into the song.

Once upon a time I was falling in love

But now I'm only falling apart

There's nothing I can do

A total eclipse of the heart

Once upon a time there was light in my life

But now there's only love in the dark

Nothing I can say

A total eclipse of the heart

Three notes is enough for me to recognise the song.

One of the boybands I listen to. At least my favourite singer among them got to sing most of the song.

Newton Circus

Finally gone back to Newton Circus since it has shifted back some time back. It is so much better than before. Cleaner, fresher, and actually a place that I don't mind going to chit chat with friends while you have an option of whacking some sting rays, chicken wings, gong gong, zhut zhut, cockles, juice, blah blah blah....the list goes on.....

Well, thanks to Yiling that I went back there tonight. May pop by again some time.......

Then I tried Rachel's Suzuki....hehehe....white still seems too "clean"...

Unbelievable Evening

Stayed home most of yesterday and today. Decided to go and cut hair in the evening, as I really think the thick mess is unbearably hot. Shaved off the sides as usual and I think it is going to be way more cooling for badminton tomorrow! Alpha is joining me for the first time. Hope he does not give up going after considering to travel from Ang Mo Kio to Changi.

Met Alpha for dinner at about 8pm at Bishan. We had kuay chap! Probably sinful to a lot of people, but well.....we were quite full after and took a walk into Bishan. Told him that I wanted to check out the arcade to see what they have now, since I last played arcade on Saturday. Man! When was the last time I stepped into Bishan?!! I didn't even know that it has shifted to take over the space formally occupied by the foodcourt! I should really hibernate lesser at home...

Then Alpha suggested something that I have not done for more than 10 years. Slot basketballs into the loop for the most points. We each played three times!!! Everyone was wondering why we were perspiring in an air-conditioned shopping centre.......

Decided to catch a movie. So got the tickets for Shooter (after I had to explain the different shows to Alpha before he decided). Well, show was quite nice, with Mark Walberg as the hero. Alpha says he is just a sniper, how can he be that good?! But he was the elite chosen by the nation for important missions!!!! I tried to convince him by getting into the mood of the show.

But..............that is not the best part............the show was rated NC16...which means you have to be above 16 to watch it because of possible sex or nudity or violence or whatever that you might be too young to watch.......

And then........the cinema staff wanted to check our NRIC to see if we can watch the NC16 rated show!!!! Come on!!!!! We are almost twice the restriction age!!!! Surely we DO NOT look below 16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Even Bee Gees would think twice to endorse this!)

Arcade Stick

Got the games I want, but some of them are really not practical to play with keyboard. Especially the retro arcade games like Warriors Of Fate, Varth: Operation Thunderstorm and Captain Commando. So, I felt the urge to look for arcade controllers, since gamepads would still not give the same experience.

Chanced upon a series of them and they are compatible with ANY game system including PC. Just need to get the necessary adaptor. It is supposed to be so good, reliable and durable that they offer lifetime guarantee. Price is not very cheap though. Thought I saw it once at Sim Lim, think I will go and check it out sometime this week.

Hmmm, they have solo or dual or tank version. Personally only need solo, but can always get dual to have pair gaming! (I rarely switch on my PS2, but this might be an excuse!)

Demure Orange Killer

An orange killer spotted in Melbourne.

But how can you tell when there is a demure look?

An Inner Look Into The Gospel

The word faith is a noun and has no verbal form in English. Instead the word believe is used, as in Acts 16:31, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." What does it mean to believe in Jesus, that is, what is it we are to believe? We are to believe that as the Son of God, clothed in our humanity, He lived a perfect life and then died on the cross for our sins. This message is called the gospel, that is, the good news about Jesus Christ.

Jesus Himself is always to be the object of our faith. We sometimes say we are saved by faith alone, meaning apart from any works. That expression, however, can be somewhat misleading, as though faith itself has some virtue that God respects. It is more accurate to say we are saved by God's grace through faith. Faith, again, is merely the hand that receives the gift of God, and God through His Spirit even opens our hand to receive the gift.

-- Excerpt from The Discipline Of Grace by Jerry Bridges

One Or The Other

"...in order to trust in Christ for one's salvation, one must completely abandon any trust in one's own goodness or merit. Faith in Christ and a reliance on ourselves, even to the smallest degree, are mutually exclusive."

-- Excerpt from The Discipline Of Grace by Jerry Bridges

That is quite the fundamental difference between Christianity and others. Salvation was a given awaiting acceptance, not alloted based on performance.

No Lifer Sale

No lifer for sale.

Low recharge period of 4 hours per day!

Satay & Me

Ever since young, satay has been one of my favourites.....even satay beehoon.....so when Yiling asked if I wanted, then no need to consider anymore.....only trying to decide how many.....

Well, here I am in action!

Quotes from Antress

Got these from Antress. First one made me think. Second one made me smile.

"Who do you turn to when the only person in the world that can stop you from crying is exactly the one making you cry?"

"You don't have to promise me the moon or stars....just promise that you'll stand under them with me."

Wilson.........

I got Wilson today, finally.......so now my badminton racquet has a better bag to be in. Enough to throw in my clothes, shoes and water bottle. Still glad that I chose white, even though it is gonna be a colour easily dirtied.

Badminton on Monday and Wednesday this week :o)

The Battle For Middle Earth

Joran passed this to me before we parted ways. I thought I am going to try RTS games again, since I played C&C so long ago. I can never play games well. But well......

The game looks great with the nice box and all. How can I even begin to describe it??? I mean...it requires a DVD-ROM to play it and I don't own one!

Bah...it's gonna collect dust at my home for a while till I upgrade my computer, maybe in the next millenium. I wonder if anyone is crazy enough to give me a DVD-ROM as a present. Haha...

Well, gotta thank Joran nonetheless...

Freedom Writers

Watched this with Joran (aka James) today. Not bad, quite like it. One of those meaningful shows modelled after the true story of a certain individual.

Think the best part was the diary entry of the guy who became homeless and still went to class. The sense of belonging was that strong.

Someday

Sugar Ray!!! Would you know if I did not tell you that this band was from a long time back? After all, the songs are still nice now!

Getting Into The Thick Of Things

Just went back to work for the past two days due to MC on Monday and Tuesday. Colleague still thought I was on extended Easter break! Hahaha...well, voice still not in the best of condition to talk much, but no choice as I cannot possibly communicate with sign language to everyone.

More things are coming up already, so I am getting into the thick of things. There is an audit tomorrow too. Hopefully I am able to answer whatever they are going to ask me. My guru colleague has gone on duty travel to Phoenix!

Looks like my replacement is coming in on the beginning of May. Have to start teaching another person one of my jobscope. Honestly feels weird to teach two different people to take over me, while I move on to another position, and yet my boss thinks that I am just an average worker (maintain target). Hahaha. Well, appraisal does and does not matter to me. Matters because it is tied to promotion which means more pocket money and also it shows recognition and appreciation of what I am doing. Does not matter because I am not an ambitious person striving to rise to the highest position.

Just that sometimes you wonder if people even know what you are doing or just assume that you are not doing much because you do not "seem" so busy. But why get two people to take over what I do if I am not doing anything much? Hehehe, that was the part that did not make sense. But then again, maybe they just did not want to lose the manpower.

So far, I am not convinced of the reason :o)

My feel is, boss thinks I am not competent because I cannot handle one aspect of the jobscope that is beyond my expertise.

Well, that's about it. I am still interested in learning about the new position. At least I get to know better the routes we choose to fly the planes now!

Opera

I am supporting them while they are still around!!!!! Why do they have to remove the videos? WHY???

Some have been asking me whether I caught Phantom Of The Opera.

Well, nope, I think this motorcycle opera is better :o)

Update: The link is working again

What If God Was One Of Us?

"Is God a fireman?"

"What if God was one of us?"

Hehehe, mabbe this should play in the background...

And the answer to the question is impossible. He in all His glory will never be like one of us. Which is why we strive to be like Him, and not the other way around :o)

Eclair

This one is really not easy. Taking turns to respond following the sequence of the alphabet. They started with G and went round back to G!

Eclair!!!

Videos of this show are going gone. Think Warner Bros asked youtube to remove them. Sighz...

Japanese?

I so love this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are not Japanese, are you?

Now youtube has to remove the video :o(

Update: Found it again!!!

Do They Guess?

Finally got to see the doctor! Sometimes I wonder if they just do smart guesses to find out what is wrong with a patient. I once consulted a friend doctor and that is what he told me. After all, they can only read the symptoms and conclude based on historical records of what those symptoms suggest your condition to be.

I was diagnosed with acute laryngitis which basically means "loss of voice" and some other mild symptoms of sore throat, cough, blocked nose and what not. Then again, if it is simply a loss of voice, why can't they call it as that??? Must all medical names end with "tis" before it can recorded in their medical study books? Wonder when praying mantis will make it there...

Acute laryngitis. I had to look up the internet to find out the spelling and the definition! Doctors scribble to look intelligent.....or maybe to hide their inability to spell. At least the doctor that diagnosed me spelled it as larygnitis (which has me guessing what he was writing). Anyway, the definition is simply loss of voice due to prolong talking or singing (or yelling according to some websites). So there, all he had to do was ask me if I did those.......or should he?

Doctor:

Have you been singing a lot?

Prawnkid:

No. (Church had only 15-20 minutes singing that day.)

Doctor:

Did you talk?

Prawnkid: (actual situation)

............. *mumbles*

(Just what answer is he expecting????????????????????)

Prawnkid: (should have situation)

No, my family and friends do not believe in voice communications. We use sign language.

Help or Piss Off

Arrived at Compass Point to go to the clinic for checkup. Seems like a number of people was surrounding someone who was lying on the ground. Walked past and realised that someone had fainted. There were people tending to her already.

As usual, there will always be people standing around and watching. They are not helping and yet they want to be involved as spectators? Surely this is not some live presentation of "How to faint and not get attention"? It was not even a car crash for them to try and get some digits to buy lottery!!! Goodness, I hope someone did not ask the lady for her I/C number to place some combination bets.

In my opinion, if you are not helping, piss off for the person to get some fresh air. The least the person wants is to see all the dirty feet and smell them.

There was a delay at the clinic since the doctor went down to help. I didn't mind. He was doing his duty.

MRT Video

Decided to go see a doctor. Had nothing to do while waiting for the train, so I watched those videos that they show in the train stations. Quite a number of different ones, but most commonly that of bomb threats and what we should do to be more vigilant.

Not sure if anyone noticed what I did from a particular video. It is the one with a suspicious guy bringing a "bomb" into the train and looking suspicious. Proceeds to put the bag under his seat and gets ready to go off sometime later. This is the part where a vigilant passenger reminds him of his bag. The guy claims it is not his and quickly makes his exit. The rest of the video talks about how the guy and a girl reports the case and gets the train station ready for action.

Here comes the ironic part. All passengers should evacuate removing their belongings (and give way to the elderly, disabled and whoever else needs to be given way). The super vigilant passenger is the one who forgets to take his bag. Really pah pop!!! He gets credited as vigilant, then he does the same thing of leaving his bag behind.

I wonder if the video was reviewed before release. Or maybe there really is a shortage of extras!

Lost

Lost my voice suddenly when I woke up.

:o(

Long Night

Had chilli crabs at Jumbo! Could have whacked another plate of black pepper crabs, but not very wise to spend so much money with the group that I am with. Maybe next time I suppose.

Walked around quite a bit around Clarke Quay area. It has changed a little bit, but for the good I suppose. Stood outside MOS and called Sky. Told him that I was waiting for him outside MOS. He joked that I must be outside MOS Burger. Hmmm.......think it is unbelievable for anybody that I would be waiting for them to go club leow.

Had Azabu Sabo ice cream! Okie lah, no big deal actually except the price. I rarely eat ice cream anyway. Still think that the homemade ice cream in Parkway Parade recommended by Hiroshi is better.

Went Atom's house after for the usual. Played till the morning, went for Big Breakfast with Jacy, went home to bathe and caught a ride with Pat to church. Went for lunch at Lai Lai for the beef noodles....not as enticing now.....and now I am home. Not sleeping yet.

Hmmmm....I will heed the advice of Mrs Atom.

Good Sleeping Friday

Hanged out late with a couple of friends on Thursday night. Met Mugen for the first time. Came home at 6:30am in the morning. Knocked out till 1pm. Had lunch and the usual past the time activities.

Not in the mood to socialise. Went to sleep at 7pm. Woke up 12pm today. 17 whopping hours. Time to give the bed and my back a break I think.

Don't Write Me Off Just Yet

This is the song that Hugh Grant wrote for Drew Barrymore in the show to try and win her back. It was a touching moment in the movie really. One of the shows to definitely catch (even on DVD!)

Way Back Into Love

Saw this movie sometime back with Tingie. Kind of like the shows that Hugh Grant has been in. His English accent is just simply nice. (Except Four Weddings & A Funeral which I slept watching!)

Anyhow, glad that this song was more preferred than the version "Cora" editted in the movie!

No Promises

Hmmm.......just wondering which is better

Always prefer live...

Ah.....think the last one is best!

再一次拥有

我想念去年的冬天

下着雪的那一夜

你给的温柔

紧握的双手

温暖整个寒冬

失去了曾经的拥有

在你离开以后

带走了笑容

只留下寂寞

忘了幸福是什么

没有你的夜特别的漆黑

只能闭上双眼去感觉

没有我的夜谁在你身边

代替了那个从前

能不能再听一次你说爱我

回到还在你怀里的时候

能不能让我再一次拥有

曾属于我的温柔

能不能让我再一次拥有

曾属于我的温柔

To some, she is foolish for not letting go.

To some, her love should not let her go.

Many yearn for such a love,

Yet never notice the ones who love.

Life is sometimes such an irony,

While trying to find your destiny.

Choices & Decisions

Big or Small?

Need or Want?

Save or Spend?

Now or When?

Chase or Dream?

Night Blading

Very tempted to make this regular......

Argh...

Should I? Should I not?

Already running and badminton. Will this be too much? Am I pushing it?

Why isn't there a regular snooker partner?!

FinePix F31 fd

Went to Sim Lim today and spent $569 on FinePix F31 fd with 2GB memory card! Last day of promotion, so traded in the ancient camera that my mum passed to me. I thought my camera was ancient enough, dating back to my 21st birthday (it is still working!!!). She surprised me with one from the caveman days (and it is still working!!!).

So now I gotta start getting used to using a digital camera. Not sure if it is a fantastic camera, but well, if you do not compare, then there is no disappointment. As long as you are satisfied with the features available and it suits yoru needs, then it is good enough for you (same with a phone!)

Went to Vivo and shopped and shopped without buying anything. Hahaha, reckoned I walked 3/4 of the place. Lazy to try the clothes. Gotta buy somemore as I am running out of clothes to wear now. Hmmm...

Bargain

Every night is like bargaining with Him.

Interesting conversations sometimes.

*sound of Robbie Williams*

"Lord, I'm doing all I can to be a better man......."

Suzuki Sports 1.6 Manual

My first ever test drive. Looks like Suzuki Sports 1.6 Manual got the nod as the chosen one for it. Considering that I was given a specific route to take, I guess they cannot fault me for ramming the engine to try 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds. Yeah, the car can achieve that alright. Does anyone still dare to take a ride from me?

Guess I was served wrongly by a middle-aged uncle! He did not look like he could handle the car well himself. Think I would have bought the car if I was served by a pretty lady! Too bad...looks like they have to wait a while more. Maybe the next time if I go there again......should borrow one of the Japanese stewardess........big eyes..........sure melt. Confirm buy. Probably even if I have to eat plain porridge everyday :o)

My dad asks why I wanna choose such a small car for such a price. The true answer. Hiao mah.

Does not look like they have major objections for me to get one of my own I think, though they seem to hint that I get a bigger one. But well, I guess they kind of accept it that I don't really listen to much advice from people :op

So.....buy or don't buy leh?

East Coast

Jacy fly aeroplane! Did not get a chance to blade at night at East Coast. Well, did have a chance to walk about in East Coast at night. Nice to walk by the beach at night or sit around. Appreciate the sky, sand, quietness......nobody does such things anymore.......the old fashioned world of Prawnkid.

Ended up having dinner with Mr & Mrs Atom. By the time we met, it should be termed supper! Anyway, had zhut zhut! Super long never eat. Atom was perspiring like never seen before. Hahaha, I forgot that he cannot handle spice well. Hee...

Think I have to go out a little more often now...

Free Accomodation

Going to Frankfurt (Germany) for training on 18 - 22 June 2007.

Offering free accomodation for the same period in my hotel room if anyone is interested to go on a trip. I will probably only meet up for dinner and walk around after my training.

Wonder if there will be any takers that I am also interested to travel with...

Vicky & Me

Just came home from catching up with Vicky. Pan Pacific at 32nd floor can be quite a height. Watched TV!! I don't even do that at home, but well, been a long time since I saw some soccer. And also Jurassic Park 3.

She's still the same. We last met in London, probably about half a year ago. Time flies. Funny that she should fly to London from HK and me to London from Singapore just to meet up. Hahaha, thought only filthy rich people do that. Just so happened that our schedules permit.

So now we meet in Singapore. I guess it is my turn to go to Hong Kong again. Hmmm, wonder when I will do that. Kityng is coming end May, seems too early for me to head up Hong Kong so soon.

I've known Vicky since 1999!!! Oh.....kind of miss the times we had in England so many years back. Those were the independent and fun days........

Boring Old Man

Hmmm...guess that is an obvious hint of not interested bah...

Mabbe I also tired to even start trying...

Boring old man...

Glutton Square

Went there to eat for the first time. Everything is probably twice the price of a hawker centre. At least the food can still make it in terms of taste. Otherwise I think it will be totally condemned.

Well, it is cooler than Newton Circus though!

Better Vision

Did a follow up organisation climate survey at work. I gave it my true comments, even though some might be apprehensive about confidentiality issues and the company being able to identify them. Guess it does not matter if you are being truthful in your comments and feedback, even if it is not the nicest things to hear. Hehehe. Well, at least I am honest! Surveys should always be based on accurate data!

Anyway, I kind of thought about a number of things about work and what I want to do moving ahead. The picture might not be totally clear, but there is a better vision on the possibilities that I can look into. It might not be as impossible to do what I envisioned to do in my dreams after all.

Sat down with a car salesman today and saw him work out the sums for a Suzuki Swift Sports 1.6 Manual. I must say he does not make a good salesman, especially since he cannot even get his sums right. He can't even speak well to sell his product. How can he say "I assume you know all about the car by now." Sometimes I think I do a better job at convincing people about my recommendations than some salespeople.

Mahjong Night

Had a good Friday night of mahjoing for 8 hours till the morning! Hahaha, I really love playing the game. With the thinking and the excitement of everyone trying the fastest to win. It is not even about gambling, though some people choose to go down that path.

My mum is pretty interested to play some games, but so far has no chance as dad is going to sleep early. But I'm sure our chance will come. There are four of us at home, so that is just a nice number.

Had some rest and met Tingie for lunch and very minimal shopping. Her not in the mood to shop means just about going into five shops. Not much! Hahahaha...anyway, we had a fabulous Ichiban Boshi lunch with so much freebies to claim from the card I got from Debs. Spun another $30 voucher after, so looks like my family will go there again bah.

Wonder when the next mahjong session is, but will look forward to it...

Recognition or Appreciation?

"Do you prefer to be recognised for your efforts, but not appreciated?"

OR

"Do you prefer to be appreciated for your efforts, but not recognised?"



If you can only choose one, which would it be? Recognition or Appreciation?

Boredom

Boredom.

When is it psychological and when is it physical? Sometimes you can be around so many people and yet you feel alone. Or you can be alone at home and yet not feel lonely. Is boredom in the mind?

Purpose.

When there is purpose, everything happens for a reason. Seek the vision to find the purpose and nothing would be fruitless.

Boredom would then be a stranger.

Fear

"There is no point living in fear."

Personable

Courtesy of Ah Gal, took a online personality test after lunch. Probably the reason why people think guys have big ego. Whenever they do tests like these, the system is configured to only produce nice results with nothing negative to say! Probably a marketing trick to make people subscribe to their tests or software. Anyway, my result:

Christopher, your most unique quality is that you're unusually Personable

You come to life when you're around others and are a real “people person.” You're also a natural leader and are able to maneuver difficult personal situations with ease and tact. You're on the ball, assertive, and have energy to carry out your best ideas. Not to mention the fact that people just enjoy being around you. Compared to others who are outgoing, you are unusually positive. Only 1.6% of all test takers have this unique combination of personality strengths.

Hmmm.....am I supposed to believe all that???!!!

Greatest Satisfaction

Sat in 2.5 hours of interviews today to have a glimpse of the process and also possibly learn about what types of questions are asked to the candidates. Saw the various types of applicants. From the fakers (they try to talk their way out of ANYTHING, even if it was never convincing from the start) to the genuinely "well-liked the first time you set your sights on" type.

I left before the entire session was finished. But I heard the best answer given. Interestingly, it was asked by the interviewee to the interviewer.

Interviewee:

I have a question for the Captain. What is your greatest satisfaction in your career? Take off? Landing? Flying passengers? Just watching the planes fly by?

Captain:

My greatest satisfaction is seeing the new applicants having the same passion as me, taking over me and continue on. I will die one day, but the airline will go on. That is why nothing pleases me more to see an applicant as enthusiastic as I am. I will always love flying. 30 years ago and 30 years today.

I left the interview inspired and having a higher level of respect for that Captain.

Mails?

Was trying to maintain two separate archives for the two different jobscope I was handling. Thought that would be neater, but ended up even more complicated. Decided to combine and have one archive to work on.

It's mid March 2007, barely two and a half months into the year. And I have a whopping 657 mails!!! The redundant mails have already been cleared as well! So they are all related to work and action items! Man, how did I survive this for the past four years?

Looks like there is quite a bit of things to keep me going in office for a while. That is a good thing. At least I feel that I am contributing. Or I hope I am! Ha! For some reason, you can always feel like there is so many things to do, but suddenly you are deemed not doing much when it comes to work appraisal. Then again, as long as you are happy doing something, as long as the remuneration is reasonable, it is good enough for me. But is it enough? Hahaha...well, would not complain getting more, since I am paying for the house. Wonder if I will really move in on target date January 2008. Hmmmm...........I so much want to stay my own for so long..............

The Transition

PC formatted and officially transit from laptop lo. Been a long long time since I got my first laptop issued by the company. First transition from "Go to Hell with Dell" to IBM and now to IBM PC.

The good thing about the transition is from 11" laptop screen to 19" LCD screen. That really makes a difference many hours staring into the screen. I guess that means I will not be doing much at home since I do not have a laptop to carry home. Some habits die hard, still checking work emails from home though.

Now officially got to handle work in the new area. It takes more than just being able to read street directories...........

Review

Went for review this morning.

2 more months of pills.

GTT after. HBA1C as well.

Run run run!

Feast @ East

Went for dinner with Connel, Vanessa and Josiah. Feast @ East in Mercure Roxy. Always love buffets. Not necessary the quantity of it (though it is good not having to think coz it's fixed price), but there is variety and each one can eat whatever he or she feels like whacking.

So there you have Vanessa whacking the food so much more verocious than both of us. She was stalking the waiters coming out of the kitchen with the food. Connel and us just eat and chat and laugh. Josiah is so obedient and quiet in his little pram. He is one well-behaved kid. Still remembered us bringing him out. Three Man & A Baby.

LXG - League of Extraordinary Gentleman.

Cool.

Well, till we next meet again!

Exercise?

Seems that I am developing some habit of wanting to move the body.

Tuesday & Thursday Run

Wednesday Badminton

So far seems okie. Bidadari is quite a nice place to run!!! But the Gurkhas are quite inhuman. Their walking pace is like my running pace sia...

Well, a healthy lifestyle is still a good thing to have. Don't see why people wanna do things for the sake of dieting and the likes. Life is enjoyable!!!

Again

Agent Jay:
Put it on.

Agent Kay:
What?

Agent Jay:
The last suit you'll ever wear.......again.

Catch it tonight at 1945hrs on Channel 5.

2007 First Timers

1) First Job Rotation

(well, technically only allowed once every two years anyway)

2) First Levis

(slow beginner really)

3) First slim phone - Nokia 6300

(the phone or me, one of us has to be slim. guess who?)

Music & Lyrics

Saw the movie with Tingie earlier. I love the movie. It was probably an expected ending, but still it is nice. Second time for Drew Barrymore since The Wedding Singer.

Well, at least the guy is not a jerk in the movie.

Rocky Balboa

Just finished watching Rocky Balboa with Alpha. It is not too bad a movie, though not exactly classifed as a fantastic one. But well, just kind of grew up watching Rocky (series) and this just had to be watched for the sake of completeness.

I thought it kind of depicted the state of many people. Sometimes choosing to live in the memory of the past and kind of living in the present with the past embedded. It is in the subconcious state, but it happens because of the memories. You watch the show and remember the Rocky series when the soundtrack comes on. If "Eye Of The Tiger" was played, it would have been the absolute classic moment.

The Italian Stallion. An amazing story of mind over body.

There are some things you have to do in your life before you feel complete.

Confirmed Job

New position confirmed on 9 March 2007.

Shifting desk. Losing laptop. Gaining knowledge.

Will I Be Remembered?

Will I appear somewhere in a certain chapter of another's life?

What part do I play in the journey of another person?

Will anyone remember me when I'm gone?

Dinner at Katong

Went for a late dinner with Tingie becoz of Excel spreadsheet! So no chance to shop or walk a bit and I guess that means she still cannot wear that dress. Let's hope she gets to alter it on Friday........

Hmmm, went for some food at Katong Village. My first time there lor. As usual, suaku bah. Astons was closed, so ended up there. Only two of us eating there, listening to two guys who were karaoke-ing upstairs. Tingie wanted to throw the glass upstairs at them at one point leow. Hahaha....their singing was big time cannot make it lah.......

And here is Tingie trying to ask me if I lost weight.

Tingie:

You suck in your tummy is it?

Prawnkid:

...

*Bee Gees' YOU WIN AGAIN is top favourite again*

Coloured Balls & All

Fantastic dinner with Akira, Mr & Mrs Atom.

Snooker time after......

Finally!!! Prawnkid 3 - 0 Akira

First time I beat him three in a row! Woohoo.....must remember this for a while......

Rest

Break from mahjong today!

Hmmm....work is going to start again with the preparation for the new aircrafts......looks like double portfolio again (and perhaps triple considering the third backup) for quite some time yet.

Should be more interesting to look at stuff to be equipped on the aircrafts though.........

Exciting days ahead :o)

First Day Of Work

First day of work back in office after the official Chinese New Year public holidays. I guess some people wished that the 15 days of Chinese New Year are declared as public holidays as well, similarly for the 12 days of Christmas.......but then again....even such dreams are hard to come by......

Just finished mahjong with Mindy, Jacy and Patrick. The speed of some of the games are pretty scary! But well, it was quite fun. I always love the game...but sometimes not easy to find the kakis to play.........

Now back to cleric duties.........
Down with the zombie mushrooms!!!

The Gathering

The "brothers" came to my house for a nice time of gathering. I hardly host such gatherings at my place, but I guess it was a good one. There were people watching TV and some playing mahjong. Chit and chat and chit and chat.........I suppose can have this again somehow sometime.

Went to Atom's place to bai nian after. With Ah Gal, Jacy and Ah Sky. Siao Lang came later. My turn to watch TV and play some mahjong. Poor Ah Gal watched TV all the way with Ah Sky. Hahaha.....no choice lah, since they are not interested in the mahjong or card games........that was probably the longest time I spent watching TV though.......

Came home to rest and relax since I will be working in about 6.5 hours. Guess I am saving leave for some other day......mabbe I should plan a trip again. First time I am asked to go travelling together with someone. Will think about it. Unless the person is pulling my leg. Hmmmm....

Over and out.

Unwholesome Talk

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"

-- Ephesians 4:29

The word unwholesome covers any type of speech that tends to tear down another person, either spoken to or about another that person. And Paul's prohibition against this type of negative speech is absolute: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up" (emphasis added).

-- Excerpt from The Discipline Of Grace by Jerry Bridges

The Fire Wizard & The Cleric

Full time gamer.

The Chosen Path
PrawnSoup - Fire Wizard
PrawnHealer - Cleric

The Becoming
PrawnStabber - Bandit
PrawnArcher - Hunter
PrawnChop - Spearman
CutePrawn - Lightning Wizard

The Supporter
OreNjewS - Storeman

Reunion Dinner

Today is a day of eating. Woke up to have lunch! (Came back early morning from mahjong and slept till lunch time.) Porridge, so quite okie lah. Was getting hungry towards the late evening though.

Then lao yu sheng! This time my brother remembered to buy the radish! Hahaha....so funny last year where he didn't know the radist were sold separately and we used beehoon to lao yu sheng.

Tomorrow (or rather later) is going to be even better! My favourite noodles!!! I can eat it for 3 meals a day for 7 days a week for that! Anyone who had tried the true blue Henghua noodles will love it too! Hehehe..........

Can't wait till that happens......should catch some sleep now....

Long Weekend

The beginning of another long weekend! Goody....so there is till next Tuesday where I have to plan of things to do. Many people would probably be doing their visitations during this time, guess I am over that phase :op

Parents will be going overseas, so got free time and space to havoc lo! Mabbe it is time to wear those shirts that I have been buying for the longest time and just staying in the cupboards. New Year, New Clothes? Lame reason to wear stuff really...

Mahjong tonight!!! Have not played that for some time, so I guess it is a good time to start again. Hand itchy lah. Quite fun game, especially with this usual gang. Super funny lor.....except the 2nd hand smoke!

Have a feeling that I am going to be a full time Mapler these few days...
Mushrooms beware!! PrawnSoup is on the loose............

Farewell

Had farewell lunch with my friend / colleague / mentor yesterday. The whole department went to a nice restaurant somewhere in Joo Chiat. The price is really cheap for good food. Though most of it had so much curry, I kind of avoided. BUT there was still enough nice food. It was about $15 per person and there was about 15 dishes excluding desserts!

Then there was the usual farewell speech. I guess the department has kind of grown used to having him around. He will soar to higher heights (literally). Maybe one day he will come back as my boss, if I am still in the company. Hehehe...

Well, all the best William!

Ball or Bar?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Headed to Bugis MRT after work today and met up with some friends to go Sim Lim for some purchases. Was there to get something for two colleagues while my friend was on a special mission.......The search for a mouse with ball(s).....

That's right...in an era where optical mice (using infrared technology) rule, he wants to look for the authentic mouse with ball.............claims that is the best for gaming so far........am surprised that it is really more difficult to find that these days.......

Then again.....can you find someone who is still playing Western Bar? I tried to search for it and only came across an auctioned piece in Yahoo e-Bay going at USD35! I hope they start to re-market that game......coz I would really wanna buy it..........hehehe........

The familiar sounds of Western Bar deeply implanted in my head.....

dor deh duh dor deh duh
*sound of items sliding across bar counter*

TERK! *sound of apple hitting head!*

doink chik doink chik
*animation of character losing one 'life'*

tur tur duh tur ter der tur, the tur ter duh tur
*sound sequence for game start again*

dang dang dang dang, dang dang dang dang, (pitch going lower)

dang dang dang dang, dang dang dang dang, dang dang dang dang (pitch going higher)

THE ONE ON ONE fight in Western Bar!!!! Woohoo!!!!

(whoever reads the above might probably be thinking of the game and it does not really matter if I capture the spelling of the sounds correctly.....I'm sure there was that momentary transport back in time and memory)

Hmmm.....I am stuck in history for a moment...........

Neglected Blog

Neglected blog for a while because just busy with work, sorting out some stuff, health check and basically slipped off my mind! Anyway, I guess I will be coming back to this for a while as I have been thinking some things and memory is getting poor to remember them. Ha!

Just came back from a nice dinner with Alpha and Ah Gal. Practically finding a place to eat Japanese food and ended up at Sushi Tei behind Takashimaya. Not the BEST of places, but not too bad. Ichiban Boshi was just too packed at Wisma. Anyhow, it is the company that counts :)

Not very sure what the cashier was trying to prove, but I am still wondering the whole point that he was trying to communicate to me.

*handing over bill to cashier for calculation of amount to pay*

Prawnkid:

Is there any promotion with any credit cards? (You never know till you try.)

Cashier:

Oh, we had the promotion with UOB and also Sushi Tei members with special meal sets and discount.

*About to take out UOB credit card from wallet*

Prawnkid:

Ah okie. So it's a 10% discount with UOB credit card?

Cashier:

Sorry, the promotion is already over.

Prawnkid:

Huh???

(What the heck was the whole conversation about then?)

Incurable Controllable Condition

Diabetes is incurable, but controllable.

Just got news that Martin's dad passed away this morning :o(

There were some complications....failing eyesight, dialysis issues and finally infection that could not recover proper due to diabetes.

I'm not discouraged, but I'm sure some will say this better be my wake up call........

GTT Part 3

Finished with GTT Part 3, the final of the three. Confirmation of the undesired, but bestowed without request.

Simple meals from now on...

Time to get back to running too.

GTT Part 2

Completed GTT Part 2. Not so good news so far. Paths narrowed to two possibilities.

GTT Part 1

Went for GTT Part 1 this morning.

Part 2 at 1015hrs.

GTT

Going for GTT tomorrow. Fasting from tonight and no food till noon........can I survive?

Club 7

Club 7 - The Club Of Fun & Laughter

Reality Distortion

"By no means can we infer that our own trials are, like Job's, specially arranged by God to settle some decisive issue in the universe. But we can safely assume that our limited range of vision will in similar fasion distort reality. Pain narrows vision. The most private of sensations, it forces us to think of ourselves and little else."

-- Disappointment With God by Philip Yancey

Seen it countless times from people I know or people that they know. Always words of inner strength, unbelievable faith in the positive or an ever optimistic view. THEN one day these same people crumble in the most common of hurts, pains, disappointments and what not.

How so?

Some things are just unexplainable. It always seem like a "come on, you'll get over it" kind of thing when you are listening to other people talk about their experience. But when it comes to yourself, it always seem like "you don't understand what I'm going through".

Ironic actually, but always happens.

New for the New Year

Well, finally changed to the new blogger for the new year. It looks the same probably, but now I have to login differently.

Hmmm, what's new for 2007?

New login for blog.
Same design and author.

New jobscope.
Same department and office.

New year.
Same months and weeks.

So, what's really new????

Same old brand new me.

Christmas

Melli Quismus!

It all started with the company celebration on Friday and me winning $20 NTUC voucher! Wahahaha, a DVD player the year before and now some vouchers to buy rice!

Since then it is a period of mushroom cultivation for me at home. I can do that till 3 January 2007 when I finally go back to work and start training in my new position! Learning everything from my colleague, fresh from his honeymooning in Japan. Coolz!

Still raining everyday. Been eating tons! That is probably part of Christmas, or maybe part of my lifestyle (more like it).

The Square on 23rd, Curry Fish Head on Xmas, Vienna tonight......

I'm so going to roll from place to place now........