January 31, 2006
Woah.. it's a tiring day yesterday and I've no time to blog as I've to sleep early. Alright, to cut the long-story short, I'm in a
red packet depression right now. My
ang bao economy has fallen by quite a bit. Still, the amount I received is too little and beyond logic. Many of my relatives are either single or have kicked the bucket. Ouch..
This is sad.
I went to work today and received a pair of oranges and a red packet containing $10. And I was going,"Wow.." for a few seconds and then back to the
ang bao recession mood. So far, it's just a mere $172.. how pathetic. I remembered the times when I was a young kid, I received close to $300, and that's the highest so far. However, I was just a kid back then and guess what I spent those money on? Sigh... Magic: The Gathering..
Anyway, I sort of regretted my kiddish expenditure many years ago. Too bad I couldn't get those times back or I'll be super rich now! Hee hee hee...
Yesterday I was desperate for more money again. So I went to Robin's house for a visit. I met Steve along the way and we went there together. It's been pretty long since I last visited his place but nothing has changed quite a bit. We were then greeted by his hospitable mother. Steve and I each received our red packets, and guess what's inside? $20! Cool.. And how am I related to Robin? We're close friends. And how are my aunties and cousins related to me? RELATIVE!!! OMFG! If only my relatives are much more generous... -_-"
Okay, enough said, otherwise I'll get rotten eggs thrown in my way..
Robin showed us around his room and all those stuffs he kept since our secondary school moments. Ah.. those fondest memories we've shared during our secondary school days were coming back. And as we came across some items displayed on his shelf, Robin reached for his police cap (nothing much, just an NPCC cap), and wore it.
He looked kinda 'cock' in that cap.. shhhhh...
OUI!!! Is this how you wear your cap? Cannot see your eyes some more! How to catch rapists and perverts?! Who do you think you are? Jay Chou ar?As we're about to leave the house, Robin suggested to come to my place for a visit. And the three of us ended up playing
Dai Dee in my room with my new FHM Poker Cards.
However, before setting off, Robin got to do something else and that was... playing with his
Toys.
... nah, he just had to brush his teeth. 
While he's busy, Steve and I caught sight of a hamster cage and it looked kinda empty. But then, his mom said there's one left in the cage while the rest passed away leaving behind this lonely soul. Aww.. it's so sad. But it's surviving well and very obedient too.
We got the permission to take it out of the cage. And, oh man... for animal lovers, I think you just can't resist the sight of it. It's just SOoOoOooo CUTE!
oh.. and it's camera shy too. Hehe..
and it kept looking away from my handphone camera's lens..
Isn't he cute? He's really strong and energetic. So when we put him on the floor and open the cage, it just hoped in. That's so obedient!
I even took a video shot of it. So here's a 3gp video file of this
cutester..
When evening arrived, Steve and I decided to watch a movie without Robin of course. Robin always backs out on us everytime we're out together. But well, most of the time, he always misses out something great. Then, unfortunately, we couldn't get the movie tickets!! Damn! The whole cinema was exploding with people. Disappointed, we went to have our dinner instead. Desperate to fill our hunger, we stepped into Pastamania.
That evening, the meal was hearty. We ordered a plate of Carbonara with Linguine to go along with, two pizzas - Chicken & Mushrooms and Hawaiian, and finally, shared a tub of Tiramisu to end the dinner.
First, it was the Carbonara that's been served.
Looks yummy though..
Can't wait to eat..
Yeah.. yeah.. Steve has a huge mouth. Larger than mine. And because it looks yummy, we decided to give it a try. At first, the taste was okay. Then as we ate more of it, we're getting the same old taste out of this pasta and it somehow bored us, as it gets more tasteless as we're eating. So, we poured some tabascos over it and finished the huge serving of pasta.
Next, out came the pizzas.
.. and Steve poisoned his portion with Tobascos. -_-" eeew...
Those Tobascos are wicked.. man! Too much of them really heat us up from the inside out. It's spicy beyond my imagination! Worse than Kim Chi!
We're about to finish eating the pizzas when Steve suddenly brought something up..
Steve: Hey, you know what? It's fortunate that we have the promotion ticket to get the free pasta of our choice, and I'm even more fortunate to have you eating with me. Otherwise, we can't be able to finish everything let alone this tasteless pasta.
Me: Yea... true. And I had enough of Tabascos. Yucks. The pasta got kinda tasteless after a while.. *rolls eyes*
Steve: I think I know why this Carbonara sucks.
Me: Why?
Steve: Because they wrote it somewhere in the restaurant itself..
Me: Really? Where?
Steve: Look there! *points at one corner of the restaurant*
Me: -_-""" ...no MSG...
Steve: And here's another one...
NO WONDER THEIR FOOD SUCKS...
Honestly, I'd prefer the Pizzas at Pizza Hut and the Pastas at Olio Dome. Who the heck bothers about Pastamania? It's just another fast food outlet though...
January 29, 2006
Hello people!
Finally, the day is here! Happy Lunar New Year everyone! Bardic Circle would like to wish every readers here a prosperous and fruitful year ahead! Don't waste your talent but use them wisely and your bountiful harvest will await you.
Now it's time to say farewell to year of the Little Chicken!
Dog: Goodbye lil chicks.. I'll see ya gals in 12 years' time!
Chicks: Till then pup! Can't wait for that doggie style!Let us all welcome a brand new lunar year of the DOG!!!
And well, I've gone around town and interviewed some really cute dogs and they're so excited! Yea.. it's their year of course, so all of them are hoping around the city like nobody's business. They are dominating the entire town! They would also like to bring you guyz some best wishes for this new year...
Here're some replays of those wonderful dogs..
From Singapore...
Translation: May you be happy & prosperous! Red packets..? I'll give them to you.. Come Here!From Ireland...
This pup's a little tipsy.. but he sure enjoys himself!
From Germany...
Translation: Happy New Year! May your year be romantic and... sweet!From Japan...
Translation: hehehe... Hi! Happy New Year!..and finally, from America...
Hello...?? Hey puppies! Say something...
Hello..?? Hello....?! Aw.. well.. never mind then.
Hahaha.. what a great year to start with! Thank God for a great brand new year to start planning our goals and fulfilling our dreams and visions! It's time to work hard and enjoy our rewards and harvests at the end of this year! Ganbatte everyone!
For now, I may need to go have my steamboat dinner with my family again. And to all of you out there! Have a pleasant evening and stay healthy!
Dog: *Pukes* *pukes harder* zzz... *pukes*And oh, if you ever drink, don't get drunk. See what happened to this fella? hmm... control yourself yea?
And don't gamble all your
Ang Bao money away.. yea? Use your money wisely!
Till then, An Yeung Hi Ga Seyo!
January 28, 2006
It's a really hearty one this year I must say. Mom's cooked a large portion of what we bought before the eve of the Lunar New Year. And when prepared, it consisted of a total of a 10-course meal we all usually would have in a regular restaurant during this festive season of the year.
Look at this...
Amazing! We've got the usual "Yu-Sheng" which is a must, some vegetables, giant promphet, tiger prawns, black sea weeds
(Fa-Cai), pork legs with sea cucumber, sea cucumber soup and a huge portion of roast chicken and pork.. Add in some more rice mixed with brown rice and we'll be full till the next day.
And every reunion dinner never fail to make me that full though...
I just love Lunar New Year cos I'll get to eat lots of things and be adventurous. This is just so fun!
I'm gonna go to many places starting from tomorrow. It's house-visiting time. And I can't wait to get all my red packets and play to my heart's content. Yea, and after that, I think I'll have to really sit down and make some resolutions and goals for my coming year. Can't afford to waste another year of my time as I have a huge dream to pursue.
But for now, I'll enjoy every moment of it.
January 17, 2006
Fame of a blogger could be taken advantage of. Many people, when successful do not know the right way of using their success as their stepping stone but rather, thinking that they've arrived. Some would start being complacent or arrogant, or even start treating others badly. But the worst of all these consequences, is to take the entire success to the next level of negativity, by influencing others in their own propagandas or unrighteous thoughts or beliefs.
Therefore, as I've mentioned in my previous entry, that reading someone's books or articles is just as important as choosing our partners. Because people influences people. And if you're not careful, you'd be influence by negative comments or belief system, which prove to be contagious over time.
Let us all seek wisdom. Of all things, guard our heart and mind against the seeds of unrighteousness.
Today, I came across an
article on Today's newspaper. This is one of the reasons why I'm against someone abusing his/her fame to influence others in such a negative way.. and oh please.. don't even bother talking about one's character. Cos it sucks way from the beginning.
What a fool I was to have been a fan of such irresponsible tactless specimen of this society.
Voices // Monday, January 16, 2006
Avoid Sowing the seeds of Hate
Benjamin James Saram
I remember watching the excellent television miniseries, Hitler: The Rise of Evil, which screened last year. It examines that dark period when millions were killed in the name of racial purification and nationalistic ambition.
One particularly powerful scene showed a young Adolf Hitler, homeless after being rejected by the Academy of Visual Arts in Vienna, huddled against the winter cold in an alley with other beggars. His companion rails against the perceived imbalance of wealth in Europe, as Jewish aristocrats walk past in their fur coats and top hats. Hitler takes this all in, and with the Anti-Semitic speeches of Karl Lueger, then Mayor of Vienna, it forms the basis of his beliefs. The rest, as they say, is history.
I've been reminded of The Rise of Evil twice by events that took place right here over the course of 2005.
The first was the case of Gan Huai Shi, better known as Racist Blogger No 3, who was hauled before a judge to answer charges under the Sedition Act for writing a blog � incidentally called "The Second Holocaust", which preached hatred against Muslims. It was revealed during his trial that the seeds of racism were planted when he was a child as the result of a traumatic incident.
The second event happened over the holiday period. Apparently during the countdown festivities on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve along Orchard Road, several men took advantage of the packed crowds to spray women with canned foam and molest them while they were incapacitated.
According to several anecdotal accounts, a lot of these perpetrators were foreign workers. Police later clarified that the eight men apprehended were a mix of Singaporeans and foreigners.
Of all the opinions offered on the issue, the one that caught my attention was written by popular blogger Wendy Cheng (aka "Xiaxue"), who espoused banning the sale of aerosol foam and/or foreign workers from street parties in Singapore.
One particularly acrid remark posted on Dec 27 read: "I heard Orchard road was full of them (foreign workers), molesting and spraying our girls!! Why are we sharing Orchard road with them?!"
She also applauded the new dance club in town, the Ministry of Sound, for its exclusivity, asking rhetorically, "would you like to party with Foreign Workers?"
At the height of her tirade, she questioned why foreign workers are allowed at public events, stating that they terrorize girls, and "don't contribute to shopping centre sales". She drew a variety of reactions from readers, many of whom supported her views. But perhaps sensing that her posts may have become too offensive, she toned down her rhetoric and backpedalled by saying that "they (foreign workers) aren't all bad".
Ironically, it is this "toned down" final post on the subject that I find most chilling. She had written, on Jan 3: "Realise that we practice discrimination every single day. We discriminate (sic) looks, education, intellect, dressing, and a lot more.
"Modelling agencies do not employ the ugly � Mensa does not welcome people with low IQ � Platinum card owners do not allow the poor to join their ranks � SIA does not employ short girls �
"Is it really ok to discriminate these other things and not race? Food for thought."
That a tertiary-educated 22-year-old (supposedly with an IQ in the top 2 per cent of the population) would be capable of such xenophobic views does not scare me. What does chill me is that she thinks her views are comparable to how corporations select their staff and how banks apply demographic segmentation for marketing reasons.
(And for the record, Mensa does not reject people who get a low score on the IQ test. All aspirants who don't make the 98 per cent percentile cut for full membership may join as associates, which allows them access to all activities.)
What makes all this even scarier is that her blog boasts a hit rate of roughly 70,000 daily, and she has won several blog popularity awards over the years. When enough people tune in to one person's view and start feeling an affinity with that person, should we as Singaporeans not be worried? What if some misguided young person reads this stuff and it shapes his attitude towards foreign workers? What if he grows up to be a policy maker?
Ms Cheng's convictions, like Gan's, were not formed overnight. On her blog, she alludes to being molested, and witnessing people being molested, by foreign workers and other assorted louts since childhood.
However, just like Gan needs to learn that a long-ago act he felt wronged his family is not representative of the entire racial community, Miss Cheng needs to learn that migrant workers are not responsible for all, or even a majority of, sexual crimes here.
Of greater worry, according to 2004 statistics on the Singapore Police Force website, is the increase in molest cases reported in nightspots, the very places which Miss Cheng says are "safe" because foreign workers are generally excluded from them (economically, at least).
I do not dispute that a number of women during the street parties were accosted by foreigners. I believe the judiciary will come down hard on the perverts (Singaporeans included) caught, and rightly so. Perhaps legislation should be introduced to make penalties for outrage of modesty harsher if committed at large public events. The authorities should also look into ramping up security at such events.
The bottom line is, there are several ways to combat the scourge of sexual crime. Pinpointing specific nationalities or races as convenient suspects, however, is not one of them.
Especially if your blog readership consists of younger persons who may not have the maturity to handle anecdotal information with objectivity.
You do not want to be the one who inspires another Hitler.
This was contributed by a reader.
I guess this will explain everything of why we must all be careful of what we are reading. If someone's thoughts and beliefs are not in tune with righteousness, we might get influenced in a negative way. Hence, be wise and look for more sensible articles that will influence us positively.
January 15, 2006
I'm utterly disappointed this time round. Not because the ever so famous xiaxue has started an island-wide flamewar in forums and stuffs.. but more so with the things she writes.
Being a reader of her blog before, I used to like her style of writings back in those days before she got famous and stuff. Those were the times, her entries were more humorous and interesting. It got me coming back for more.
However, things started to change recently in the way she writes. She has been sprouting her anger over comments made by some passing readers. Her recent entry, which has a repeated concept of "If you don't like reading my blog, don't come here.", has made me feel unconfortable with the way she's putting it.
I mean.. seriously, why bother so much about people giving comments at you when u have ur comment boxes opened up for comments? And why bother making an entry specially for people who disagrees with what you write? Can't she just write more about her interesting part of her life than to write about stuffs which possibly nobody can do anything about?
This world is not perfect. And if she keeps flaming people who disagrees with her, then I would suggest that she do not blog at all. Because by voicing out one's opinion in one's blog, he or she must be prepared to face many comments by readers (even disagreeing ones).
And, in my opinion, the only way to deal with people who disagrees with me is to ignore them and not make stupid entries criticizing them. For what? What purpose does it contain by taking disagreeing comments too personally? Aren't this being childish as well? Time to ignore those bastards xiaxue. And if your entries are all filled with flames against people who are disagreeing or merely giving comments, which do not satisfy you, then I guess it's a total waste of time reading your blog all together.
I was your reader. And I used to like your writings and have your links to my blog's favourites. But unfortunately, I don't like your character.
That said, I'm prepared to face some hordes of xx's supporters against my views. But, don't waste your time people. Do what you have to do. Time is your life. So, please don't kill yourself flaming me. Thanks.
Alright, away from topic...
A blog is a haven where many voice their views. And our words reflects our character. And therefore, freedom of speech walks hand in hand with the way we are responsible with our words, thoughts and actions.
What we write reflects our thoughts as a person and if you're reading somebody's writing full of rants and hatred, you'll know where that person comes from. There's no need for me to say it here because what you are what you read. And what you like reading tells so much about you.
So people, if you love reading a person's writings full of hatred, racism and rants... you are also sharing something in common with that person's defective character.
So conclusively, be aware of what you read. And don't just read blindly. Look for the character of the writer as well.
January 13, 2006
I can finally heave a sigh of relief now that the weekend has arrived. I've been pretty busy this week as I have been working since tuesday, plus sunday which was the last minute activation and I need to make my way down to take some queue calls.
Work has been pretty tiring for me as I am not used to working life ever since I came ot of the army and became a free civilian again. However, I'm still adapting to this "free" life of a civilian though.. but thank God my job timing is flexible enough.
I've just downloaded Fly to the Sky's 6th Album yesterday night. All thanks to my darling who helped me get the files and uploaded them on yousendit.com. Really appreciate it dear.
This 6th album, which was released on 5th Jan this year in South Korea, is really FANTASTIC. And I mean, it's real good! There're about 12 tracks in which I love listening to 10 of them. Although 2 of the other songs are kind of crappy, I still like this album on the whole.
Here's their brand new album: -
This is so cool! And I'm going to upload one of their new songs in this blog's musika collection soon. You'll hear it for yourself.
Alright, I'm off to take a break now. Will probably blog again when I have the time.
An yeung peepz!
January 08, 2006
Rain...
Kept raining for ages here in this miserable island. Yea sure it's a good time to sleep and cuddle in for some afternoon nap. But dang it.. it just hinders me in some ways like right now.. I wanna go out and get some food. I've not had my lunch and I'm starving. Can't afford to eat instant noodles again so I've got to get some proper meals today. And the shitty thing is that I don't think this rain will stop.
Singapore sux.
I mean.. Tropical weather sux.
How I wish it'll snow here. At least snow won't get you all drenched. I rather walk in a blizzard than a heavy thunderous storm. And in my opinion, a normal storm is more dangerous than a normal blizzard. But heck, they're both hazzardous.. so, screw this man. Now I must wait for the rain to simmer down before I make my way to the mall.
Such gloomy weather...
It just makes me more frustrated than ever. Can't do this and can't do that. And it feels shitty being caught in the rain somehow, so I need to get an umbrella.. an extra load. You know, when it rains here, it gets troublesome.
Screw this weather! I'm not waiting now. And I'm starving like hell.
January 06, 2006
I know this is a little late but my darling's birthday was over a week ago. And Since she had received her long awaited present from me, I shall post the surprise here.
And to some of you who are begging me to tell you what I've got her for her birthday present, here're some of the pics I've taken before sending it over to her via registered post.
Beautiful isn't it? Aw.. too bad I don't have a camera powerful enough to capture the details of face of the watch. Hehe..
Anyway, she likes it very much and has been wearing it everyday. I'd estimated the size of her wrist then, and now I'm so glad it fits her perfectly.
And oh, by the way, just as her birthday had passed and as the new year sets in, our relationship had also celebrated itself its 9th month of unconditional love and perseverance. Much of it is hard to explain and many would not understand. But I believe that even such relationships do have ups and downs and we've braved the storms with courage.
This is considered the longest relationship I've been in so far. And my previous ex-es, are locals. Hmm... I hate to say this, but I don't seem to date well with most of them, especially the girls. There's a big difference in lifestyle and beliefs between me and those dudettes. In my opinion, many of them are pampered, materialistic and stuck-up lot of cry babies, who doesn't even know what hardship is. I suggest they go and serve the army in South Korea, or perhaps, go get themselves as sick as possible, probably to an extent of getting a cancerous cell in their bodies, which demands them a total of 8 chemotherapy sessions in 6 months (including side effects). Now that's what I call a moderate hardship.
They don't know what it's like to live in tough times. And I really detest those materialistic girls, I wish they just shoot themselves dead and see if they can carry those possessions to hell.
That said, I had enough of feeling bitter. Right now, I just wanna move on to a better life and see what good things lie ahead. This is a great year and yet a year of adaptation for me. As everyone here knows that I've just ORDed (being Operational Ready in army term), or should I say.. RODed (Ran Out of Date in army term), I'll be having an initially hard time trying to get back into society and the work force again. I hate it though. The feeling is as if I've just been released from prison! There in camp, I did absolutely nothing except doing my duties, eat, sleep and crap. We don't have the time or mood to do something else other than those just mentioned. So, I've finally got myself a part-time job so I could work my way into adapting myself into the outside world once again.
Damn it, I really hate the feeling of being lost after my release from the army. So many things to think about! And so many things to catch up on! I really envy those GIRLS! They don't have to go o the army to serve their guts out. So no hardship for them.
And true to some extent, they can go straight into furthering their studies in the university or other institution and get good grades from there. The next thing you know, they'll be employed and happily changes their looks into something better. And then, voila! They get promoted! Wow.. I mean... SHIT! That IS fast. And look, I suddenly realized that the society is beginning to favour the ladies!
WHAT ABOUT THE MAN???!!!
Are they going to just phase off from being the pillars of society and the stronghold of the.. whatever empire one calls it? It's hard being a man, but yet fun. Let me suggest, ALL bosses listen up - If you find a man with good character and average grade with a teachable learning attitude, please... employ him. He need not have to have a good grade nor a face you like to see everyday. If you get someone who has good character and is willing to learn, that is good enough, despite having a face like a hooligan's truck being ran over..
BOSSES!!! Give favour to the men. They are the future of society, the pillar of the household and the leaders of the world. Many of you urban nuts may disagree but a man is a man after all. He leads and women follow. That's it. I'm closing this before I get eggs thrown against me. Let God do the talking then.
January 01, 2006
I finally got this published at the very last minute today - On this New Year's Day, the brand new start of a wonderful year. And before I even get the chance to think about my resolution, I just wanna write some things which I've learned and thought about..
Time has passed me by so quickly that I realized it's catching up on me. I'm getting older every year, and soon with a blink of an eye, you would hear me complaining of my greying hair. But then, of all things, the most valuable lesson I've learned so far is not to look back. Because the past is dead. It is gone forever and there's no point of turning my own focus onto something that is already dead.
But sometimes, I do think about them and marveled; and frowned; and regret; and felt ashamed.. sometimes. However, by doing this, it brought me back into a dimension of my never-ending story. It goes on and on as if time has frozen and I'm living in a place that has no future and no present. It has no emotions but just captions of faded memories deep within me. Looking back, I feel lost and paralysed. It made me sick and forces me into releasing my own grip of destiny ahead of me. It's like a black hole sucking me into somewhere unknown and yet, lifeless.
I'll not look back, but I'll congratulate myself for being the bravest person ever lived in my lifetime. Why? Because I know myself. I know what I've been through. All that is tough and sorrowful, they have certainly made their way pass me. And I'm proud of that. They made me strong and they build my courage.
Courage is what I've always longed for. You can't go any where without it. Courage gives me the advantage over something overwhelming. It makes me the overcomer and problem solver. Most importantly, it makes a man altogether.
Forgiveness is going to be one of my cole values this year. Being able to forgive is a trait only the strong can possess. And I want to be stronger this year, though knowing that I've always been ruthless in all my doings and dealings.
I have to move on this year. Certain relationships and friendships I've drifted away should be bygones and forgotten. The show must go on. This year, I'm looking forward to more functions and activities. May I be blessed with more contacts than before.
Last year, out of the blue, I met my wonderful girlfriend and with her in my heart, I felt the need to be responsible and the urge to provide. Nevertheless, it's going to be a long and tiresome journey, and the road will be hard. For once in my life, I realized that I have to look forward and do something right now. I cannot look back.
Anyway, that said, so begins my new year and may my Lord bless and prosper me throughout this great year..
Last but not least, I'd like to wish everyone here a Happy New Year!
God bless ya!
