So block leave's started... That's good... And bad at the same time... For one, I'll enjoy freedom til the 3rd of January. No need to wake up early in the morning, Yet at the same time, I've never felt so free in a long time... So free I'm kinda bored to be honest...
But that's not the main point.
Being in the army has given me some sort of a buffer time to think about my future. Pretty much about life after NS. What to do? Should I further my studies? Should I get a job? What am I gonna work as? Many of us don't really think about that inside until it's too late; By the time we've set a solid plan, it's time to pack our bags and head out the gates for good! NOT ME!
I have devised a simple plan to pursue what I love and survive at the same time! We all know that in this world, not everyone will get to do what they like for a living. A simple workaround would be to treat our passion as a hobby, and maintain a job that finances well :)
As such, here is my plan!
1. Get a Degree
It doesn't matter what study it is, so long as I have a Degree! I'll prolly be lookin at the Bachelor's Degree in Creative Production offered at Ngee Ann Polytechnic as a tie-in with Chapman University. With the proper documentation, I'd be able to shave off a large number of credits!
2. Off to the land of the rising sun
I'd head off to Japan with a Degree in hand and stay alive by teaching conversational English at one of the many eikaiwa gakkou(英会話学校). All I'll have to do is chit chat with the locals and correct their pronunciation errors and such. Simple! In the meantime I can even write up articles for extra income :)
3. Save up!
Gotta work hard not to give in to temptations!
4. Open a restaurant
This is ultimately something I'd like to do in Japan. I'd want to open a Singaporean hawker center to cater to both the locals and fellow Singaporeans. What's better than sipping on a cup of kopi-O and enjoying slices of kaya toast? doing the same thing thousands of miles away from home!
5. Settle down
Anyone interested??? hahahahaha!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
I don't look like them, they look like me!
Thought I'd do a follow up on a really old post of mine.
Remember how I shocked the world (okay, maybe it's not that of an eureka) when I posted a photo of my dad in his 20's? Here's a recap:
Well recently, my armymates have been calling me different names, all of whom are famous people that I kinda look like.
William Hung
I seriously hate to be associated with him. For one, I don't even look like this fella! To make matters worst, he's a disgrace to be associated with (i'm being honest here, you know you'll go crazy if one day people starts saying that you look like someone who clowned on national TV)
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
wow... to look like a textbook version of the old man is simply extraordinary. Did I mention that I'm more of a worker's party kinda guy? Anyways, It's kinda funny cuz there's an Obama lookalike in my new platoon. Imagine the 2 of us sitting next to each other during our meal breaks!
Hamada Masatoshi
I LOVE THIS GUY!
Only the Japanese know him. Deemed as the ultimate sadist in Comedic history, Hamada's the other half of the most popular comedy duo of Japan, Downtown. He is usually referred to as hama-chan by fans and that's what my japanese lecturers sometimes call me haha.
Adding on to the list, I decided to pay a visit to www.myheritage.com to do a 'celebrity lookalike' scan... last time a did one, which was about 2 years ago, results included China Basketball Star Yao Ming and Hellboy (don't ask me how he got there). This time around...
WHAT? DEVON AOKI AND SHUQI???
Remember how I shocked the world (okay, maybe it's not that of an eureka) when I posted a photo of my dad in his 20's? Here's a recap:
Well recently, my armymates have been calling me different names, all of whom are famous people that I kinda look like.
William Hung
I seriously hate to be associated with him. For one, I don't even look like this fella! To make matters worst, he's a disgrace to be associated with (i'm being honest here, you know you'll go crazy if one day people starts saying that you look like someone who clowned on national TV)
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
wow... to look like a textbook version of the old man is simply extraordinary. Did I mention that I'm more of a worker's party kinda guy? Anyways, It's kinda funny cuz there's an Obama lookalike in my new platoon. Imagine the 2 of us sitting next to each other during our meal breaks!
Hamada Masatoshi
I LOVE THIS GUY!
Only the Japanese know him. Deemed as the ultimate sadist in Comedic history, Hamada's the other half of the most popular comedy duo of Japan, Downtown. He is usually referred to as hama-chan by fans and that's what my japanese lecturers sometimes call me haha.
Adding on to the list, I decided to pay a visit to www.myheritage.com to do a 'celebrity lookalike' scan... last time a did one, which was about 2 years ago, results included China Basketball Star Yao Ming and Hellboy (don't ask me how he got there). This time around...
WHAT? DEVON AOKI AND SHUQI???
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Going Prehistoric
No, I'm not gonna start walking around in a loincloth.
I'm talking about an upcoming event that's gonna take place in Jurong Bird Park (haven't been there in a decade!).
Basically, Hollywood Dinos is a concept park that's gonna be staged in JBP. Accompanied by music in the background, live-sized dino models that move, well designed setup and a tour guide who's supposed to disappear amongst many other factors, you'll be part of the story, going from place to place while trying to 'survive'.
Sounds like fun, I've always wondered how i'll survive in a jurassic park environment.
Apparently, 'CAVE 3' is gonna be pretty scary, the weak-hearted are advised not to enter yo!
So how bout it, are you going? I know I am!
Hmmm... They should come up with a new concept next time too... Name it Land of the dead or something and come up with a zombie concept. that's gonna be teh shietz!
www.hollywooddinos.com is ze website, go check it out!
I'm talking about an upcoming event that's gonna take place in Jurong Bird Park (haven't been there in a decade!).
Basically, Hollywood Dinos is a concept park that's gonna be staged in JBP. Accompanied by music in the background, live-sized dino models that move, well designed setup and a tour guide who's supposed to disappear amongst many other factors, you'll be part of the story, going from place to place while trying to 'survive'.
Sounds like fun, I've always wondered how i'll survive in a jurassic park environment.
Apparently, 'CAVE 3' is gonna be pretty scary, the weak-hearted are advised not to enter yo!
So how bout it, are you going? I know I am!
Hmmm... They should come up with a new concept next time too... Name it Land of the dead or something and come up with a zombie concept. that's gonna be teh shietz!
www.hollywooddinos.com is ze website, go check it out!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Logicocks
Was eating Lor Mee with my old man yesterday morning at the kopitiam. As usual we start talking about what's been going on in town since I don't get much news inside of camp. Hot topic of the week? Unreasonable legislations...
1. Food Ban in SMRT
While I do commend their efforts to make train riding a much more enjoyable experience by banning people from eating and drinking food inside. Indeed, it can get pretty irritating if you're all dressed up and prepared for a crazy night at clarke quay, only to get your (insert brand here) perfume ruined by the smell of durian. Ok forget durian, how about curry puffs? Another problem brought about by food consumption in public transport is litter. No one likes to hold on to trash for 5 minutes, let alone an entire train ride that often lasts at least 30minutes. What to do? Throw it on the floor like everyone else :)
Still, why water? It doesn't stain, it doesn't stink, it doesn't even attract ants! What? some crazy terrorist is gonna prepare a bomb (i think you just need to throw an alkali metal into water and it'll explode). I find it highly illogical to ban water. Like I've said, it usually takes at least 30 minutes for an average train ride to reach it's destination, for the unfortunate it might even take close to an hour. What if we need a drink?
Better yet, there are people who are on medication. My dad points out that it might be too late for a victim of cardiac arrest to walk out of the train station just so that he can get some water to down his medication. Yes, he can always swallow the pills dry but not everyone is skilled enough to let it travel down your oesophagus smoothly without water. There might be assistants running along the train cabins equipped with water but how can we ensure that they're always in the right cabin at the right time?
2. Disposing of tissue into bowls and plates
This is an interesting take. From what I've been told. Clearing your used tissue paper/napkins into your plates and bowls might award you with a fine! What you should do is simply place them beside your used cutlery, with some weight on top to prevent the napkins from flying off onto the floor.
Then again there is a downside to this. Some of our dishes are kinda soupy, yet remains served on plates rather than bowls (i.e mee siam). Tilting the plates might mean spilling the leftovers which in turn equates to more work for cleaners. Yes I'm over-assuming, but we still have to consider these possibilities.
Speaking of cleaners. Here comes the ridiculous part. While we get fined for landing a 3-pointer into soup bowls, nothing happens to them cleaners for sweeping everything (including napkins) back. What? They can't be fined cuz they're making soup?
If you want to enforce that regulation, kindly make it mandatory for cleaners to come armed with 2 bins then, one for tissue paper, one for everything else!
On a different note, sometimes I feel that us NSFs are being view upon in an inappropriate light. Few questions to ask.
If a single army boy talks to a female friend, does it automatically mean he's in for sex?
Is a happy soldier an efficient one? Or would mindf**king them make them better?
Should we be proud of our protectors?
End of rant!
1. Food Ban in SMRT
While I do commend their efforts to make train riding a much more enjoyable experience by banning people from eating and drinking food inside. Indeed, it can get pretty irritating if you're all dressed up and prepared for a crazy night at clarke quay, only to get your (insert brand here) perfume ruined by the smell of durian. Ok forget durian, how about curry puffs? Another problem brought about by food consumption in public transport is litter. No one likes to hold on to trash for 5 minutes, let alone an entire train ride that often lasts at least 30minutes. What to do? Throw it on the floor like everyone else :)
Still, why water? It doesn't stain, it doesn't stink, it doesn't even attract ants! What? some crazy terrorist is gonna prepare a bomb (i think you just need to throw an alkali metal into water and it'll explode). I find it highly illogical to ban water. Like I've said, it usually takes at least 30 minutes for an average train ride to reach it's destination, for the unfortunate it might even take close to an hour. What if we need a drink?
Better yet, there are people who are on medication. My dad points out that it might be too late for a victim of cardiac arrest to walk out of the train station just so that he can get some water to down his medication. Yes, he can always swallow the pills dry but not everyone is skilled enough to let it travel down your oesophagus smoothly without water. There might be assistants running along the train cabins equipped with water but how can we ensure that they're always in the right cabin at the right time?
2. Disposing of tissue into bowls and plates
This is an interesting take. From what I've been told. Clearing your used tissue paper/napkins into your plates and bowls might award you with a fine! What you should do is simply place them beside your used cutlery, with some weight on top to prevent the napkins from flying off onto the floor.
Then again there is a downside to this. Some of our dishes are kinda soupy, yet remains served on plates rather than bowls (i.e mee siam). Tilting the plates might mean spilling the leftovers which in turn equates to more work for cleaners. Yes I'm over-assuming, but we still have to consider these possibilities.
Speaking of cleaners. Here comes the ridiculous part. While we get fined for landing a 3-pointer into soup bowls, nothing happens to them cleaners for sweeping everything (including napkins) back. What? They can't be fined cuz they're making soup?
If you want to enforce that regulation, kindly make it mandatory for cleaners to come armed with 2 bins then, one for tissue paper, one for everything else!
On a different note, sometimes I feel that us NSFs are being view upon in an inappropriate light. Few questions to ask.
If a single army boy talks to a female friend, does it automatically mean he's in for sex?
Is a happy soldier an efficient one? Or would mindf**king them make them better?
Should we be proud of our protectors?
End of rant!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Questioning Brotherhood
I got into trouble recently.
Not the serious kind... Just simply being confined in camp for something that wasn't really your fault.
You're new to the company, fresh from Tekong and have only spent close to a month with your new platoonmates.
Just so happens, another one of the new platoonmates decide to play punk and brought in a camera enabled phone, a contraband item. You know about it cuz he had went around taking photos of everyone.
Finally the day of judgement came... Suay suay the Military Police decides to raid us. One thing leads to another and here I am, booking out on a saturday evening instead of friday night like everyone else. The entire platoon was confined as it was a problem with platoon integrity; no one sounded off despite knowing the obvious.
But often we have to wonder, around me are people who consider each other as brothers. You're a new guy and if you were to whisteblow, that's an instant labelling of yourself as the bao toh kia(whistleblower).
"What would you do?" I ask.
If your friend does something bad and you know that you SHOULD report it.
Not the serious kind... Just simply being confined in camp for something that wasn't really your fault.
You're new to the company, fresh from Tekong and have only spent close to a month with your new platoonmates.
Just so happens, another one of the new platoonmates decide to play punk and brought in a camera enabled phone, a contraband item. You know about it cuz he had went around taking photos of everyone.
Finally the day of judgement came... Suay suay the Military Police decides to raid us. One thing leads to another and here I am, booking out on a saturday evening instead of friday night like everyone else. The entire platoon was confined as it was a problem with platoon integrity; no one sounded off despite knowing the obvious.
But often we have to wonder, around me are people who consider each other as brothers. You're a new guy and if you were to whisteblow, that's an instant labelling of yourself as the bao toh kia(whistleblower).
"What would you do?" I ask.
If your friend does something bad and you know that you SHOULD report it.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Losing Your Purpose
Facebook's been real crazy nowadays...
I can't log in due to some 'site maintenance' that has been taking place since last week that forbids me to login. Before then, they would constantly recognize me as some new user with 0 friends. As a result, I wasn't able to comment on my friends' stuff, accept friend requests, upload random photos and most importantly, exist for a while.
Not being able to log in was the last draw, now I find myself wandering about the cyberspace aimlessly, I feel so detached from the world.
It's time I should ask this question though... What have I become? Am I being over reliant on facebook to handle my social circle? Most of all, is this glimpse of how people would behave should one day technology all over the world were to fail?
I can't log in due to some 'site maintenance' that has been taking place since last week that forbids me to login. Before then, they would constantly recognize me as some new user with 0 friends. As a result, I wasn't able to comment on my friends' stuff, accept friend requests, upload random photos and most importantly, exist for a while.
Not being able to log in was the last draw, now I find myself wandering about the cyberspace aimlessly, I feel so detached from the world.
It's time I should ask this question though... What have I become? Am I being over reliant on facebook to handle my social circle? Most of all, is this glimpse of how people would behave should one day technology all over the world were to fail?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
After the rain...
19th September 2009
Decided to crash Ming's macro shoot after seeing his status message on facebook. Was bored to death at home anyways and thought I haven't been shooting much. It was raining at that time, so the possibility of the shoot getting cancelled was there. Nevertheless, I headed down and to our luck, the rain had stopped by then. PERFECT MOMENT, I'd say. The remaining raindrops provide a pretty texture on stuff.
Right after the rain, things went back to normal. At least the backlog of things to do were clearing up. First up would definitely be feeding!
Some others were just busy minding their own business... Displaying the ultimate Tekong style of lepak-ing, staring into blank space...
I don't know what's it with spiders and macro photography... they just seem to match so easily... Like they were placed on this earth for macro photographers only hehe...
We didn't stay there for long though... the place was infested with mozzies and I realised that the SAF issued repellent, while it works wonders, also damages my gore-tex jacket...
Note: I'm making this post simply because I know that some of you don't even bother visiting My Flickr Account!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Guess who wrote to STOMP?
As much as I dislike the idea of ego-pumped netizens nit-picking the dumbest of things, I just had to write it!
Seeing how a middle aged man can so shamelessly attempt to get on the stage without knowing the answer or worst yet, having failed to do so for the last 3 years, I wonder if the notion about asian people valuing their 'face' still holds.
Link to the STOMP article
Seeing how a middle aged man can so shamelessly attempt to get on the stage without knowing the answer or worst yet, having failed to do so for the last 3 years, I wonder if the notion about asian people valuing their 'face' still holds.
Link to the STOMP article
Saturday, September 12, 2009
I refuse to title this with a cliche "POP" wordplay
I refuse to give in to the temptation to title this post like everyone else, POP this or POP that. All the low-level wordplay is beyond me, bah!
Nonetheless, I'm still going to blog about my recent graduation parade. After all, it marks the end of our 24km march and on a larger scale, our basic military training.
I still remember giving my mom a 5minute crash course on DSLR operation right before leaving the house to book in one last time, and it brings a smile to my face when I find a few underexposed photos taken at home while i was gone...
Still, she did remember to bring the camera to the parade and I'm thankful for that!
The 24km route march almost took my life, or at least i felt that way. The first 12 kilometers were pretty fine, considering the fact that we've been "condi+*&^%$#@$%^&*(*&^%$#&*(*&^%#@#$" haha! Still, what followed was a series of grueling walks on rocky paths, muddy puddles and vegetation that swing back in your face. To top it up, 2 of the 3 remaining legs started right when I felt my bladder filling... Hmmm... Poor time management? Maybe. Lousy bladder? Maybe. Simply suay? Could be...
Stupid things happened, such as walking so fast we had to stop cuz others couldn't catch up and holding my pee so hard i couldn't go fast lest i pee in my pants.
Nonetheless, I am proud to say that I have completed the torturous route march, a 'rite of passage' of every National Service Enlistee, the first step we all young singaporean males take towards reality... That our NS life has only begun!
The Parade was great, a proud moment not only for me, but rather my mom... The funniest moment came when the announcer invited them to come over and put on our jockey caps(accent it please~) and my mom just kept on snapping away on the camera (she doesn't understand english). Immediately after seeing other parents walking over, she just sprinted over, snapping along the way... -.-"
still remember what someone said...
"Bruce, is that your mom? damn kiasu leh!"
here're some photos which my mom took
Marching in
Kekanan Lurus (form up based on the right?) command... I have no idea why the audience clapped to this...
Marching by, though I'm not in the shot but I thought that my mom took a pretty nice shot doncha think?
Mom took this before putting my cap on
Mom says I look badass in this...
Of all moments, Mom had to take this while I had my eyes closed... she even missed the cap throwing part!
Nonetheless, I'm still going to blog about my recent graduation parade. After all, it marks the end of our 24km march and on a larger scale, our basic military training.
I still remember giving my mom a 5minute crash course on DSLR operation right before leaving the house to book in one last time, and it brings a smile to my face when I find a few underexposed photos taken at home while i was gone...
Still, she did remember to bring the camera to the parade and I'm thankful for that!
The 24km route march almost took my life, or at least i felt that way. The first 12 kilometers were pretty fine, considering the fact that we've been "condi+*&^%$#@$%^&*(*&^%$#&*(*&^%#@#$" haha! Still, what followed was a series of grueling walks on rocky paths, muddy puddles and vegetation that swing back in your face. To top it up, 2 of the 3 remaining legs started right when I felt my bladder filling... Hmmm... Poor time management? Maybe. Lousy bladder? Maybe. Simply suay? Could be...
Stupid things happened, such as walking so fast we had to stop cuz others couldn't catch up and holding my pee so hard i couldn't go fast lest i pee in my pants.
Nonetheless, I am proud to say that I have completed the torturous route march, a 'rite of passage' of every National Service Enlistee, the first step we all young singaporean males take towards reality... That our NS life has only begun!
The Parade was great, a proud moment not only for me, but rather my mom... The funniest moment came when the announcer invited them to come over and put on our jockey caps(accent it please~) and my mom just kept on snapping away on the camera (she doesn't understand english). Immediately after seeing other parents walking over, she just sprinted over, snapping along the way... -.-"
still remember what someone said...
"Bruce, is that your mom? damn kiasu leh!"
here're some photos which my mom took
Marching in
Kekanan Lurus (form up based on the right?) command... I have no idea why the audience clapped to this...
Marching by, though I'm not in the shot but I thought that my mom took a pretty nice shot doncha think?
Mom took this before putting my cap on
Mom says I look badass in this...
Of all moments, Mom had to take this while I had my eyes closed... she even missed the cap throwing part!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Coming Back Home
Six days and five nights, out in the wild. Out there in a place where mozzies, sandflies and things I don't know the name of bite. Out there in a place where everyone gets so tired, they can't be bothered to maintain their false fronts. Out there in a place where you experience heat rash for the first time.
It is a chargeable offence to disclose information about the military, so I will stop at the non-details.
Some time into our outfield training, we were given letters that our parents and loved ones have written. They contained words of encouragement, others had something more. One thing for sure was that they made everyone cry.
Of course, not everyone's parents wrote. My parents were one of them, not because they don't love me, but because they don't see the need and neither do I.
My relationship with my parents is very special. We love each other, but we never say it out. They were rarely at home, always out there busy making ends meet (back then when gambling was our business, life was much more relaxed). The only times I'd see my parents are in the morning, when I decide to eat at the place my mom works at, or at night when dad comes home late.
Nevertheless, I try to spend as much time as possible with my parents whenever they are free. When they need something done, I'd try my best to do it for them, never to disappoint. Their expectations of me were simple too - So long as I'm happy, it's fine.
I think that it is through these little actions that a lot about our parent-child love is expressed. Things like my dad enjoying a few pints of ice cold tiger at night when I return home. Or when my mother decides to stay up late just so that she can help me was the mud off all my clothes and bags even when I've insisted on doing it myself.
I suppose they're never going to read this post, but I'm going to say it anyways. Thanks Mom and Dad! I LOVE YOU!
Haha I'm gonna go puke now. Ciao!
It is a chargeable offence to disclose information about the military, so I will stop at the non-details.
Some time into our outfield training, we were given letters that our parents and loved ones have written. They contained words of encouragement, others had something more. One thing for sure was that they made everyone cry.
Of course, not everyone's parents wrote. My parents were one of them, not because they don't love me, but because they don't see the need and neither do I.
 |
| 送信者 My Silent Kao Pei |
My relationship with my parents is very special. We love each other, but we never say it out. They were rarely at home, always out there busy making ends meet (back then when gambling was our business, life was much more relaxed). The only times I'd see my parents are in the morning, when I decide to eat at the place my mom works at, or at night when dad comes home late.
Nevertheless, I try to spend as much time as possible with my parents whenever they are free. When they need something done, I'd try my best to do it for them, never to disappoint. Their expectations of me were simple too - So long as I'm happy, it's fine.
I think that it is through these little actions that a lot about our parent-child love is expressed. Things like my dad enjoying a few pints of ice cold tiger at night when I return home. Or when my mother decides to stay up late just so that she can help me was the mud off all my clothes and bags even when I've insisted on doing it myself.
I suppose they're never going to read this post, but I'm going to say it anyways. Thanks Mom and Dad! I LOVE YOU!
Haha I'm gonna go puke now. Ciao!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Like Father, Like Son
8(?) weeks into National Service and I have reverted back to my secondary 3 body! With luck, I'd be at my best by POP.
Last week, I decided to take a mugshot with a newly purchased ring flash adaptor (google: o-flash), but didn't have the time to process the photos. Didn't get to that til this morning.
Halfway through the work, my mom came in and said "you know, now that you're skinnier, you really look a lot like your father."
I didn't believe her at first, so I flipped through the old family album. Came across this really old photo of my dad in his 20's. I'd rather let the photo do the talking.
Thanks dad, for letting me know that in 20 odd years time, I'm most likely going to be bald at the front haha!
Back when I was younger (and rounder), the relatives would always say that I look like my father. I would think that it was because the 2 of us were round faced. Guess I was wrong?
Last week, I decided to take a mugshot with a newly purchased ring flash adaptor (google: o-flash), but didn't have the time to process the photos. Didn't get to that til this morning.
Halfway through the work, my mom came in and said "you know, now that you're skinnier, you really look a lot like your father."
I didn't believe her at first, so I flipped through the old family album. Came across this really old photo of my dad in his 20's. I'd rather let the photo do the talking.
Thanks dad, for letting me know that in 20 odd years time, I'm most likely going to be bald at the front haha!
Back when I was younger (and rounder), the relatives would always say that I look like my father. I would think that it was because the 2 of us were round faced. Guess I was wrong?
Monday, July 13, 2009
The One Watch
Booked out on saturday. Woke up the next morning only to hear my mom saying
"You wanna buy a watch right? Come, I bring you go see my friend, got discount one!"
So off we rode to find the one watch! It's durable, it's 100m waterproof, It's battery operated! It's a Seiko Calibre 7T94 watch (is this how i'm supposed to name it?)
"You wanna buy a watch right? Come, I bring you go see my friend, got discount one!"
So off we rode to find the one watch! It's durable, it's 100m waterproof, It's battery operated! It's a Seiko Calibre 7T94 watch (is this how i'm supposed to name it?)
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The search for the one watch
2 Watches in half a year, all broke with water leakages.
I'm now stuck with a free watch redeemed from Baron's strong brew. Nice watch, but I sense a breakage sometime soon...
And thus I've begun searching! A watch that can withstand a slobberknocker, as well as water. Who knows? I might need this kind of durability 10 years down the road on the job?
Of course, it's gotta look good too!
any suggestions?
I'm now stuck with a free watch redeemed from Baron's strong brew. Nice watch, but I sense a breakage sometime soon...
And thus I've begun searching! A watch that can withstand a slobberknocker, as well as water. Who knows? I might need this kind of durability 10 years down the road on the job?
Of course, it's gotta look good too!
any suggestions?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pink is My Favourite Colour
As of now, my I have only one colour in mind - pink.
Although I am wearing green, deep down inside is still pink, much like the flesh in my body.
But if my country needs me to defend her! Then I shall put on my green colours with pride and honour!
Although I am wearing green, deep down inside is still pink, much like the flesh in my body.
But if my country needs me to defend her! Then I shall put on my green colours with pride and honour!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
H.P.V = Hot day + Photographs + VodaVoda?
I haven't been to Haw Par Villa in a very long while already... Last time I went was more than a decade ago, and apparently I got frightened after the boat took a nose dive down this steep slope!
So I decided to go again, this time with 2 of my friends, one of whom I've never seen in about 3 years already haha.
The entrance sure hasn't change, but that's as far as I remember the place. I can't even remember if there used to be any other entrances to the place. During the 90's, this place was renovated and refurbished into an amusement park by the name of 'Dragon World'. Needless to say, who would want to 'have fun' at a place that has already been plagued with images of death and suffering?
It's also interesting to note the different names this place took since it's construction in 1937. It started off with 'Tiger Balm Gardens', which was the most obvious choice since the brothers that constructed the place were developers of Tiger Balm, an effective ointment that I myself use for mozzie bites, aches and such. In 1979, the place was sold to the Singapore Tourism Board, who then renamed the place to Haw Par Villa in 1985 before reopening the place in 1990 as 'dragon world'. This would shock you a lil' but they used to charge SGD16 just to get in!
That's all for history! Once we set foot on HPV, everyone started snapping away - Me and Wei Choon with our DSLRs and Gladys with her cute lil' T77.
The place is so quiet and remote that even bees decided to build a nest inside one of the decorations!
Don't know why, but when I was taking this shot, I felt a sense of uneasiness. It was as if there were people looking at me...
We spent about a dollar to enter the 10 chambers of hell. In earlier days, parents would bring their children here to see the kind of punishments people would get for doing wrong, some of them included things like having your innards dug out (cheating in exam) as well as dismemberment (plotting murder).
For a $1 entry, the place was reasonably entertaining. Taking pictures inside the place was a pain though; the place was coloured only by ambient light and using any form of flash would give you a brown picture everywhere!
We then headed out of hell and towards more gut pleasing attractions such as:
A misplaced statue of liberty
A very disturbing set of figures
Last but not least, a very scary looking bird thing
That's all, until next time :)
So I decided to go again, this time with 2 of my friends, one of whom I've never seen in about 3 years already haha.The entrance sure hasn't change, but that's as far as I remember the place. I can't even remember if there used to be any other entrances to the place. During the 90's, this place was renovated and refurbished into an amusement park by the name of 'Dragon World'. Needless to say, who would want to 'have fun' at a place that has already been plagued with images of death and suffering?It's also interesting to note the different names this place took since it's construction in 1937. It started off with 'Tiger Balm Gardens', which was the most obvious choice since the brothers that constructed the place were developers of Tiger Balm, an effective ointment that I myself use for mozzie bites, aches and such. In 1979, the place was sold to the Singapore Tourism Board, who then renamed the place to Haw Par Villa in 1985 before reopening the place in 1990 as 'dragon world'. This would shock you a lil' but they used to charge SGD16 just to get in!
That's all for history! Once we set foot on HPV, everyone started snapping away - Me and Wei Choon with our DSLRs and Gladys with her cute lil' T77.The place is so quiet and remote that even bees decided to build a nest inside one of the decorations!Don't know why, but when I was taking this shot, I felt a sense of uneasiness. It was as if there were people looking at me...We spent about a dollar to enter the 10 chambers of hell. In earlier days, parents would bring their children here to see the kind of punishments people would get for doing wrong, some of them included things like having your innards dug out (cheating in exam) as well as dismemberment (plotting murder).For a $1 entry, the place was reasonably entertaining. Taking pictures inside the place was a pain though; the place was coloured only by ambient light and using any form of flash would give you a brown picture everywhere!
We then headed out of hell and towards more gut pleasing attractions such as:
A misplaced statue of liberty
A very disturbing set of figures
Last but not least, a very scary looking bird thing
That's all, until next time :)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Superstitions or Tradition?
Yesterday was 端午节, better known to the English loving Singporean society as the Dumpling festival. So the story goes that this guy jumped into the river for his country (i'm too lazy to get the full picture so do yourself a favour and google about it!) and the people wanted to prevent his body from being eaten by the fishes. The idea was to throw rice dumplings into the river while at the same time riding around in long boats to search for his body.
Here in singapore, we do equally funny things. Fine, MY MOTHER does equally funny things. Here's what happened...
Apparently, the 12pm sun on this day is very 'powerful'. As a tradition passed down by my late grandmother, she decided to hang her wallet out to sun. According to my mother, her mother used to bring EVERYTHING out into the sun at this hour. Of course, now that we live on the 16th storey, that's not possible now is it? Nevertheless, I seriously found it amusing that anyone would do that. I've never even heard of this practice!
That aside, there are other practices that most of us Singaporean youths know of:
1. Eating Dumplings.
EAT YOUR DUMPLINGS! DON'T THROW THEM INTO THE RIVER! While the idea of stuffing rice with random stuff and wrapping in a leaf might not sound appetizing, I assure you that it's a unique taste everyone would love!
2. Dragon Boat races
This has become an annual event. As dragon boats require superior coordination between 20 men, as well as crazy endurance, this event has become an interesting sport to spectate.
3. Showering at 12pm
Similarly for the sun, water at 12pm is also considered powerful. As such, everyone in my family takes a mandatory shower at the sacred time. Even if we're out, we'd make the effort to wash ourselves with a towel or something, maybe wipe the face and arms and stuff.
Anything else?
Fact: One of my grandfathers (both of whom have passed away before I was born) died from eating rice dumplings! Apparently, he was feeling bloated after eating the delicacies and thought that fizzy drinks could aid digestion. A few days later he was announced dead in the hospital. Moral of story? Don't drink fizzy drinks when you're feeling bloated hehe
Here in singapore, we do equally funny things. Fine, MY MOTHER does equally funny things. Here's what happened...
Apparently, the 12pm sun on this day is very 'powerful'. As a tradition passed down by my late grandmother, she decided to hang her wallet out to sun. According to my mother, her mother used to bring EVERYTHING out into the sun at this hour. Of course, now that we live on the 16th storey, that's not possible now is it? Nevertheless, I seriously found it amusing that anyone would do that. I've never even heard of this practice!
That aside, there are other practices that most of us Singaporean youths know of:
1. Eating Dumplings.
EAT YOUR DUMPLINGS! DON'T THROW THEM INTO THE RIVER! While the idea of stuffing rice with random stuff and wrapping in a leaf might not sound appetizing, I assure you that it's a unique taste everyone would love!
2. Dragon Boat races
This has become an annual event. As dragon boats require superior coordination between 20 men, as well as crazy endurance, this event has become an interesting sport to spectate.
3. Showering at 12pm
Similarly for the sun, water at 12pm is also considered powerful. As such, everyone in my family takes a mandatory shower at the sacred time. Even if we're out, we'd make the effort to wash ourselves with a towel or something, maybe wipe the face and arms and stuff.
Anything else?
Fact: One of my grandfathers (both of whom have passed away before I was born) died from eating rice dumplings! Apparently, he was feeling bloated after eating the delicacies and thought that fizzy drinks could aid digestion. A few days later he was announced dead in the hospital. Moral of story? Don't drink fizzy drinks when you're feeling bloated hehe
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Snapshot Bangkok
Graduation! What's next? GRAD TRIP!
So immediately after the graduation ceremony, 6 of us headed off to the Land of a Thousand Smiles, Thailand!
While it was unfortunate that we went during the rainy season, I must say that the trip was enjoyable thanks to the company we had. Valuable lesson learnt too, although I shall not share about it anymore.
ANYWAYS! I took the liberty of taking some photos whenever I had some 'Bruce Time'. That's when I walk around alone with earphones blasting. Call me weird but I like being alone sometimes.
ALPHABET OF THE DAY!
royal escort on it's way
i love this auntie, she kept my stomach full for 5 months during my internship!
BOO!
So immediately after the graduation ceremony, 6 of us headed off to the Land of a Thousand Smiles, Thailand!
While it was unfortunate that we went during the rainy season, I must say that the trip was enjoyable thanks to the company we had. Valuable lesson learnt too, although I shall not share about it anymore.
ANYWAYS! I took the liberty of taking some photos whenever I had some 'Bruce Time'. That's when I walk around alone with earphones blasting. Call me weird but I like being alone sometimes.
ALPHABET OF THE DAY! royal escort on it's way i love this auntie, she kept my stomach full for 5 months during my internship!BOO!
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