A thank you note…

I would say that 2008 has been a year that I’ve grown to accept certain things the way they are (and am still learning too) and a rather meaningful and purposeful year too.

I’ve grown closer to some friends and definitely distanced from some. Wanna apologize for that. Its the time issue and of cos many other contributing factors that I can list, if I want to. Of cos I’ve made a couple of new ones too and I’m glad it did.

A few have left abroad and I can’t wait for them to get back soon. Lots of catching up to do! I miss having high tea with u guys.

Working with the Action for AIDS Singapore was a fantastic adventure in which I learnt alot. Not exactly entirely life altering but rather, has given me new perspectives to view life and the vulnerabilities and uncertainties it brings. That was great.

I still have to say the same thing : work harder for 2009 academically. Things can always be better right, friends? Haha…

Emotion wise, it was less of a rollercoaster ride. Though struggles with myself are still relatively common. I’ve learnt to deal with them but sometimes they tend to overcome me, heart or head? Still a question left unanswered.

I’ve been fortunate that I got to travel thrice this year. Its not too bad I must say. This probably will decrease next year due to economic situation. Haha…
1) Manila

2) Genting / KL

3) Bali

Great company and most definitely something I wished could be done more often! Traveling’s just so fun to do Expanding one’s knowledge on a first hand basis, soaking into others’ culture and learning to (easily) identify (and avoid) the ugly singaporean idiosyncrasies when u’re abroad. “Not nice lah”

Come to think about it, another year has just passed by like that. But that’s what everyone says. Thinking back, it seems so fast but going through it seems so long. I am sure there have been many other significant events that has happened. Its either I don’t want to remember it or I just can’t. Nonetheless, its the past that made me who I am today.
Oh… my hand injury was not the highlight of the year!
Just bad it had to happen!
Other than that, the general feel of 2008 has been a rather a good one

2009’s resolutions?
Wait… I haven’t thought about it yet. Hmm…

for work:

I am much closer to both my sisters than before… yeah we did have more gathering with aunty and all… lovely

To Gary, Man, you know u’re one hellya of a best friend. You know me well-enough, bro!14 years friend! (: Need me to say more? You know how much I treasure you can alrd (: and that this comin’ year, I should really attempt not to be late, haha, again. I TRY. HAHAHA, seriously can be my 2009’s resolution HAHA!

Suddenly,
I don’t know what I want exactly.Suddenly,
I don’t know what it takes for me to be happy once again.

Suddenly,
I blanked out.

Suddenly,



I lost myself.

I wonder,Will we truly be happier if we got what we wished for all along?

Try to imagine the scenario from a more realistic view, and we would come to realise that it may not necessarily be so.

Alright… I know I complaint too much… so ON THIS GOD DAMN MONDAY BLUE MORNING… I’m going to be nice and sweet here.

SMRT did a great job this morning by making me late for work after my 3 days weekend and also on a monday morning.

Thanks alot for having a maintenance/technical breakdown during the rush hour. Oh… and of course thanks alot for having insufficient shuttle bus to ferry the thousands of commuters from Pasir Ris to Tanah Merah - that’s really a wonderful idea for making thousands of people late for work and school.

If this didn’t happened, I wouldn’t be reaching work at 9.30am!

Thanks alot eh, why not do this kind of thing like every morning?

This must be the best morning ever!!!

It’s So Limited!!!

Sometimes what we can do is so limited. You can have all the money in the world but u can’t buy certain things like love or friendship. You may be a doctor but maybe u can’t even save the life of your own kins. You have excellent grades but u struggle to find a good job. Is this part and parcel of life? Would it be better if we live in a world without limits?

I will never know because a world without limits just doesn’t and will never exists. Limits instantly brings in the word ‘IF’ - If I have a million dollars…. If I was borned perfect….. all the IFs. I believe this is karma. What we did in our previous lives probably played a part in what kind of limits we get in our current lives. I think I must have committed truckloads of sins in my previous life. I feel so bounded in this life, there seem to be a limit to everything I’m capable of doing. It’s not a matter of not trying sometimes. It’s a matter of knowing it wouldn’t work or happen even if I were to try a zillion times.

Just an example in a sea of examples…. The other day I was checking up some of the degree courses available and I found out that even if I can afford the fees, I don’t have time on my side. I cannot wait 3 - 4 years to finish studying. That brings in ‘IF’. If I hadn’t been foolish and wasted 1 year in secondary school last time, I wouldn’t be in this plight. Can I turn back the clock? No. Does it mean I give up on my dreams here? No. Does it mean even if I try hard I may not succeed? Maybe.

This issue about limits have been bugging me for quite sometime. I guess it’s also god’s way of ensuring all’s fair and equal. U win some, u lose some but I hate losing. Can I not lose? I can’t. All I can do is to treat it as taking a step backwards to move forward.

Anyway these days I’ve been really tired and busy. Haven’t had the time to blog, due to having so many things to do. I updated my calendar schedule the other day and couldn’t help but take notice of the date Feb 14. Am I going to spend a 5th consecutive year at home on Vday? Ughhh….

Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that Jack Neo’s films have found connection with Singapore audiences, and they are some of the most successful and popular films of the island nation and also in neighbouring Malaysia, regardless whether he writes them, directs them or merely acts in them. Neo is also probably famous for remaking the Iranian film, Children Of Heaven, into a popular, feel-good social comedy called Homerun that touches on some pertinent issues in Singapore.

Neo’s upcoming Chinese New Year feature, Ah Long Pte Ltd, is an action-packed comedy about a female loan shark (played by Fann Wong; “ah long” is a Chinese term for “loan shark”) who marries an effeminate dance instructor (Mark Lee). The film was shot in both Singapore and Malaysia, and from the looks of the three-minute trailer on YouTube, the action looks pretty kick-ass, although there are similarities to Korean flick, My Wife Is A Gangster.

The film will be released in Singapore on Feb 7, going up against Stephen Chow’s CJ7 and the Jay Chou starrer Kung Fu Dunk.Let’s hope it still makes a decent box office dent!

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Linger

Starring: Li Bing Bing, Vic Chou

Directed By: Johnnie To

Released By: 10th January 2008

Run Time: 90 mins.

Genre: Romance

This is the big screen debut of Vic Chou, a member of the Taiwanese boy band F4! Tung (Chou) is dating Fan but infatuated with Gia (Li Bing Bing). Tung suddenly dies in a car accident and Gia is badly affected. She relies on medication to escape from reality and her true feelings toward Tung. After three years, Gia takes advice from Dr Yuen (Roy Cheung) and finally quits her medication. She starts seeing Tung in her dreams and begins to suspect that her encounter with Tung is real. At the same time, she realises that she has fallen in love with Tung.

Movie Review (B+)

What Kelvin Lee Kah Weng Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don’t spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you’re snobby or aloof, but you’re just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don’t get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it’s killing you. You’re the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day… and still have the energy to party all night. Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It’s easy to get you excited… which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don’t stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are usually the best at everything … you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic “Type A” personality. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you… especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You’re a strong person. You are very charming… dangerously so. You have the potential to break a lot of hearts. You know how what you want, how to get it, and that you will get it. You have the power to rule the world. Let’s hope you’re a benevolent dictator! You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don’t appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs.

GOD! THIS IS SO DAMN TRUE!!!

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Aliens Vs Predator 2

Starring: Reiko Aylesworth, Johnny Lewis, David Hornsby, Steven Pasquale, Gina Holden

Directed By: Colin Strause, Greg Strause, Lee Byung-hun

Released By: 1st January 2008

Run Time: 94 mins.

Genre: Action

In this follow-up to the worldwide hit, “Alien Vs Predator”, the iconic monsters from two of the scariest film franchises ever, wage war in the tranquil town of Gunnison, Colorado. A young sheriff, his ex-con best friend and a female soldier lead an ensemble of desperate townspeople when Aliens, a Predator-killer, and a deadly new threat do battle against each other.

I do hold high expectation of AVP 2, starting portion consider ok, able to linked from part 1 storyline, but somehow storyline started to run of track when Predator 1st encounter the Predalien, seen like the abilities of creature started to shaked off, the only thing the Predalien knows is to run away from Predator hunting, till the final end they deal in face to face, but here another failure of this movie, brightness not enough, and ending seen everyone rushing home, i thought of reviewing the Resident Evil 2, if atomic bomb able to settle all, then why the trouble to fight so hard for it. Disppointment of AVP 2, but really hope AVP 3 can really kick a fuss of it.

Movie Review (C+)

Taxi Fare For Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan

I got the below findings from Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore and I thought I should share them with all of you.

Taxi Fares In TaipeiTaxi fares are charged as follows:
1. Starting fare for first 1250 m, NT 70 (SGD $3.50)
2. Surcharge after midnight, NT20 ($1)
3. Calling a taxi - no charge
4. Distance fare for 250 m or 84 secs of idling, NT5 ($0.25)

Fare for 5.11 km daytime, NT157 ($8)

The new fares, which took effect recently, was decided by the Taipei City Government based on three proposals submitted by interested parties. The decision was accepted by the taxi operators. The revised fare was necessary based to cover higher operating cost, due to higher oil prices.

Observation: The taxi fares in Taipei are much simpler than Singapore. The fares are regulated and produce a satisfactory outcome for commuters and taxi drivers.

Taxi Fares In Hong KongHere are the taxi fares in Hong Kong (red taxi)

1. First 2 km, HK 15 (SGD $3)
2. Every 0.2 km or 1 min of idling, HK $1.4 ($0.30)
3. Call a taxi HK 4 ($0.80)

Lower taxi fares apply for travel within New Territories (green taxi) or Launtau (blue taxi).

Average fare for 5 km including telephone calling, HK 40 ($8)

Observation: The fares are simpler and cheaper compared to Singapore. There are cheaper form of public transport.

Taxi Fares In SingaporeFares and surcharges
Applicable to CityCab, Comfort, Yellow-Top Cab, SMRT Taxis. Different fares apply to other operators

Flagdown fare: S$2.80 (≤ 1 km)
Meter fare
S$0.20 (every 385 m thereafter or less > 1 km and ≤ 10 km)
S$0.20 (every 330 m thereafter or less > 10 km)
Waiting: S$0.20 (every 45 seconds or less)
Booking
S$3.50 (0730 - 0930 and 1700 - 2300 hours Monday - Friday)
S$2.50 (all other times including public holidays)
S$5.20 (advance)
Peak hours
35% of metered fare (0700 - 0930 and 1700 - 2000)
Late night
50% of meter fare (0000 - 0559 hours)

Public holidays
S$1.00 (1800 hours eve to 2400 hours of New Year’s Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Christmas Day, first and second day of Chinese New Year.
Should public holiday fall on a Sunday, the surchage will be imposed till 2400 hrs on Monday)
CBD
S$3.00 (1700 - 0000 hours, Monday - Saturday, except public holidays)
Locations
S$5.00 (Singapore Changi Airport: Friday - Sunday from 1700 to 0000 hours)
S$3.00 (Singapore Changi Airport: all other times)
S$3.00 (Seletar Airport)
S$2.00 (Singapore Expo)

Higher flag-down rates for certain models.

All Electronic Road Pricing charges incurred on the trip are to be borne by the customer. An additional 10% administrative charge on the total fare is also incurred when payment is made on credit or charge cards. Higher fares apply for premium taxi services that employ premium vehicles, such as CityCab’s Presido and MaxiCab, Yellow-Top Cab’s Sovereign limousines, SMRT’s Prestige and London Taxi and Airport Transfer service, and so on.

Singapore must win the award for the most complicated taxi fare structure in the world.

多少爱错过了才看清楚?

多少事无法弥补才认输 ?

多少次以为找到了幸福,

却发现一开始, 就是个错误?

I heard this song from the 9pm Channel 8 drama. Thought the above few lines sounded meaningful and reminds us that regret we all have.