3073km Away

Yes, that's how far Singapore is away from Taiwan. And currently Taiwan's weather is 27°C at its hottest, and 18 at it's coldest. So friends, do not expect me to pick up my phone between 21st to 28th Dec 08, because I will be 3073km away. Not sure how costly for the international call, but better play safe not to call, then sorry.
This pilgrimage trip certainly does not make me dance around in enthusiasm, but bringing my camera around does make a bit of difference. And the fact that I do not need to work until next year does make me excited no matter where I go.
Hope this trip does push me forward a bit, as I realize I'm lacking behind be it spiritually or in terms of my current drive in doing things. So if you ask me again if I need a break, I definitely do. Wholly bigtime.
At then end of every year, I will ask myself (usually with a big sigh) what I have achieved for the year. And here I come again. Haiz. I'm not trying to be pessimistic but honestly I didn't hit a high in my life tachometer.
But rest assured, I will have my Year 2009 planned out well before it comes. Some phrases might be commonly used next year:
Heroes are born during bad times.
A great horse does not look back and eat the grass behind it.
If there is fate, two will eventually meet up from 500 meters, if there isn't, two beside each other will only be passerbys.
Apologize for the lousy translation. Some phrases are not meant to be translated.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

Rabbit, Horse, Elephant?

I don't know what title to give. I just know that I need to write.
Perhaps people might ask themselves everytime. Is life destined? It is when you look at your current condition, feel bounded, and make a statement:"Guess I can only go this far".

My friend told me a story of 3 animals: an elephant, a horse and a rabbit.
3 of them decide to cross the river to the other bank for some reason.
The elephant finds it damn easy to cross, cause the water level seems way too shallow for him. The horse decides to follow and finds that galloping across the river takes some strength, but horses have powerful legs. So he goes through smoothly too. The rabbit looks at the river and knows that he will never ever be able to cross such a deep river. He stays on the current bank and looks enviously at his friends on the other bank, with a deep sense of self-pity.

If your life is too smooth sailing just like an elephant crossing the river, do you take for granted that the river never ever post a threat to you? But if you have to do everything just like a rabbit crossing the river, do you complain about why life is so full of obstacles?

So rather than complaining from the rabbit's point of view that the river is so damn deep (which isn't cause the elephant don't even care a damn), why not think from a simpler perspective, that your objective is just to cross the river and stop comparing? In the end, it's still the same river to anyone.

I guess in your mind, you still want to know why you are the rabbit. Well, my advice is get on with life, you don't have much time to look back.

Xmas Season Is Still On!

Seriously can someone tell me what has happened to the bear? The position looks funny.

This picture doesn't really help much either.

But anyway, I guess xmas celebrations are still going on despite the economy downturn. Some companies will probably carry on with less employees, some will just make an excuse that they have forgotten about the xmas tree.

If you still need to buy gift but the current crisis still spoils your mood a bit, here are some suggestions (to convince yourself that you have been economical):

1) If your xmas exchange ruling doesn't include "Do not buy chocolates", rather than going for Royce's or any other "branded" chocolates, settle for Van Houten's or Cadbury's. In the end, most are still made from sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin, and vanilla. Any chocolate at this time will leave a bitter aftertaste anyway (if you have burnt your pocket).

2) If you are buying beautiful wrapping paper to wrap your gift, leaving people with surprises as to what to expect as their gift, usually wrapping chocolates results in a disappointment when they open it up. "Ohhhh... no, chocolates again..." But even if you are not buying chocolates, what's the chance of the person tearing up your beautifully wrapped paper like it did not worth a cent (and it usually costs 10% of your total amount spent). Use newspaper. Choose between Straits Times, The New Paper, My Paper. And you can use advertisements with a beautiful background as the design. And please, wrap only one layer.

3) Get something useful. A person wouldn't want any gift which simply hangs itself on the wall, or fridge, and doesn't help them tide down this pathetic period. Instead of a deco kind of stuff, get an organic soap with fragrance(so they can at least enjoy their bath knowing that they do not need to spend on soap for a month), get a handheld massager (so that they can DIY even if they can't visit massage parlours), or a small wallet (so that big wallet owners can downgrade and place less credit cards into it, preventing the possibility of reaching out for one when the desire to spend is there).

Lastly, do not quote me for the above, if the gift recipient gives you a disgusted look at the sight of the gift.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

五月天 - 突然好想你

五月天 - 突然好想你
作词：阿信
作曲：阿信
专辑：后青春期的诗

最怕空气突然安静
最怕朋友突然的关心
最怕回忆突然翻滚绞痛着不平息
最怕突然听到你的消息

想念如果会有声音
不愿那是悲伤的哭泣
事到如今终於让自已属於我自已
只剩眼泪还骗不过自己

突然好想你你会在哪里
过的快乐或委屈
突然好想你突然锋利的回忆
突然模糊的眼睛

我们像一首最美丽的歌曲
变成两部悲伤的电影
为什麽你带我走过最难忘的旅行
然後留下最痛的纪念品

我们那麽甜那麽美那麽相信
那麽疯那麽热烈的曾经
为何我们还是要奔向
各自的幸福和遗憾中老去

突然好想你你会在哪里
过的快乐或委屈
突然好想你突然锋利的回忆
突然模糊的眼睛

最怕空气突然安静
最怕朋友突然的关心
最怕回忆突然翻滚绞痛着不平息
最怕突然听到你的消息
最怕此生已经决定自己过
没有你却又突然听到你的消息

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

你不是真正的快乐

五月天-你不是真正的快乐

人群中哭着
你只想变成透明的颜色
你再也不会
梦或痛或心动了
你已经决定了
你已经决定了

你静静忍着
紧紧把昨天在拳心握着
而回忆越是甜
就是越伤人了
越是在手心留下
密密麻麻深深浅浅的刀割

你不是真正的快乐
你的笑只是
你穿的保护色
你决定不恨了
也决定不爱了
把你的灵魂
关在永远锁上的躯壳

这世界笑了
於是你合群的一起笑了
当生存是规则
不是你的选择
於是你含着眼泪
飘飘荡荡跌跌撞撞的走着

你不是真正的快乐
你的笑只是
你穿的保护色
你决定不恨了
也决定不爱了
把你的灵魂
关在永远锁上的躯壳

你不是真正的快乐
你的伤从不肯
完全的愈合
我站在你左侧
却像隔着银河
难道就真的抱着遗憾
一直到老了
然后才后悔着

你不是真正的快乐
你的笑只是
你穿的保护色
你决定不恨了
也决定不爱了
把你的灵魂
关在永远锁上的躯壳

你不是真正的快乐
你的伤从不肯
完全的愈合
我站在你左侧
却像隔着银河
难道就真的抱着遗憾
一直到老了

你值得真正的快乐
你应该脱下
你穿的保护色
为什麽失去了
还要被惩罚呢
能不能就让悲伤
全部结束在此刻
重新开始活着

I'm blessed

Sometimes thinking back, I'm really a blessed guy. Dunno with my clumsiness, or rather forgetfulness, how long can the angels stand.. haha.

Yesterday, went to Causeway Point to find some winterwear. When I was baking cake, my fren called me through the phone and I just chatted happily without noticing that my wallet was left on top of the toilet paper cover. And so I headed towards the library at Civics Plaza to find some books. Never realised that my wallet was missing only after an hour or so.

Frantically, I headed back to Causeway Point to find my wallet. And guess what, I forgot the floor of the toilet I went to! Coincidentally, when I went to the particular cubicle, it was occupied. And seriously, which cubicle would be left vacant in a crowded place like Causeway Point for an hour?

That left me with the only option of going to the Customer Service to check out whether any kind soul picked up the wallet for me. And when I filled in the application form for loss of item, I knew well enough nobody picked it up, or I would just have to attend to some interrogative questions by the receptionist. As I was waiting for the inevitable gesture from her face, it suddenly daunted on me that.. I might have to walk home! And trust me, I even thought of the distance and time I would take to reach back home. That was wholly survival thinking, and a bit of untactful thinking as well. I didn't think of my friend who was working in Causeway Point, or other friends who could fetch me back. Maybe I already accepted that this was my just deserts and the long way home might hit me hard and stop me from repeating this suicidal mistake.

Then my phone rang. It was my friend Yaocai. And guess what, he was at Causeway Point. Blessed scenario No.1... thanks for having "telepathic" friends who did not know when they had actually saved someone. Come to think of it, I still can't imagine walking home, although I would love to try that one day.

Then my phone rang again. A private number. A person by the name of John called. "Hello, Zheng Jian Teh? You left your wallet in the toilet?" Blessed scenario No.2.. It was always a 50-50.. when you lose something. Whether the person who took it is going to return you or not. But this kind soul took my wallet home and wanted to return me personally to play safe. Luckily, he found my name card in the wallet and matched it with my IC.

Yaocai drove me to his place to collect back the wallet. And John was a middle aged man who even waited for me before he went for dinner with his family. So a very big thank you to him. He invited me to his church event today. But I guessed I would have to turn him down.

Yes, I'm blessed. And I swear I will find some lost wallets and return to the owners to spread the blessings. Haha... Phew... no need to report loss of items to police, no need to pay for the gruelsome money to govt for NRIC loss, no need to call the banks to cancel the ATM cards, no need to pay penalties for the loss of company cards.. Really saved me tons of trouble. :D!!!!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Fen

Canon Powershot SX110 IS

Guess what, I bought Canon Powershot again. Was looking for a good one so I could shoot during my Dec holidays. The salesman recommended Canon PowerShot 2000 IS to be good value for money. 6x zoom, face detection, big LCD monitor. The image quality looked good enough for me, but I was wondering why I was buying Canon Powershot again. And having to carry AA size batteries when I was out seemed raw.

As I browsed around, another new arrival caught my eye. Canon Powershot SX110 IS. 10x zoom, manual functions available, powerful flash. I guess these are all I need to make myself interested in photography for a while more. So I bought this.

Anyway my friend recommended a really good website which got my interest going. Reveals a lot about SLR camera photography, but it's good information to know. But for people who do not like Canon stuff, can ignore this link: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/enjoydslr/index.html

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

Naruto vs Sasuke

Can I be a spoiler for once? Looking at the storyline the manga is swaying, I can say that it will take more than another year to really end it. Coz both of these two characters bloody won't make it at the moment, given that is so much more opponents stronger than them and we haven't really seen their strengths yet.

Kishimoto by this time must be shaking his leg, and lying on his bed of yens.. but he ought to know that mangas and animes are better perceived as an art, climaxing the stories into a ending with a bang, rather than going dragonball style (watch how they ended with joker characters who just are not serious in their fight) and coming up with bogus characters (8 tails looks very much ajoker) just to make shonen jump fans disappointed every week.

However, I still have to admit that I enjoy the Akatsuki ordeal and without this makeshift but unpredictable team, the ninja clans will definitely live in utmost peace that bores everyone. Hopefully I can grab a cloak when cosplay is more "onz" in Singapore and use it as my blanket every night.

Haha.. I really have no idea which one is more charismatic: the one who believes he can childishly dream on to become Hokage with his pure determination, or the one who chooses his stubborn path to achieve his own powers with his dogged mind of vengeance.

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Nike Shoes(Brown) vs Nike Shoes (Grey)

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Lee Hom vs Jay Chou

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Running is great!

Running is great! It was quite a pain in the past, because I usually had to drag myself down to my running route and psycho myself to run so that I could pass my IPPT every year and not waste the $200 incentive by the government.
However, my IPPT is over and I'm still running. Not that I love running, but I would usually feel a bit of injustice done to my body if I don't work out at least once a week. Desk bounded for 5 weekdays, on the bed for 2 weekend days really makes feel like a physical retard sometimes.
This time, when I embark on another jogging session, I realise that's the time when I can throw my problems one side and only think about how to complete the distance without stopping. This kind of perserverance training has really helped me in my life, and I have come to believe I have indeed become stronger mentality because of this physical exercise.
There is never a chance you can let your problems stop you from the run. Imagine while you are running, and you are still thinking about your problem and you stop suddenly. It's hardly this way because your physical strain has taken the better of your ability to think of existing problems. Finishing the course will always be the greatest obstacle at that moment.
Before I go on and bore you guys off with how good is running, I would like to say for starters running really sucks. But when you have made it a routine, this switch off from the society, family or personal issues you have would really do you great.
Hopefully I can try half a marathon someday. It would be great.

Here is the route I usually take for my run. But nothing to boast about. 5km only. Wait till I find a longer and more interesting route, and test the reliability of my Mizuno shoes.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

Sorry I dun need a title for the crap below

Wow.. life is like a bullet train nowadays..

Beijing Olympics started with a bang, and it's over. China succeeded in their gold medals overhaul, US would claim they win it with their bronze and silvers. Jamaicans are the new engines on the tracks, and US proves that they are better in the water than holding batons on land. Singapore? Hmm.. quite an achievement, but anyone who thinks that this day of getting a silver medal warrants a public holiday, come on.. get a life! Nevertheless, that is something to cheer for before the upcoming Youth Olympics. Hopefully we get to see more people sweating out under the sun rather than on the tom yam steamboat tables.

Teacher's Day! Every teacher is entitled to this day for having given so much care and concern to their students. I will always remember the days I had tuition with my friends at the opposite block in Hillview and the teacher was sure a very dedicated and professional one. My brother and I used to be her favourite students because of our perfect spelling tests, saving her some breath as she would always scold the other students who didn't do so well. I once overslept and forgot to do my homework before the tuition, and I cried big time as it would be unthinkable about how my teacher would react. I was very sure she would scream at me when I reached her place, but surprisingly and unusually, she allowed me to finish it during the class itself. How the other students envied my narrow escape! Haha!

And come to think of it, I have been giving voluntary tuition for nearly ten years!~
Some kids really can make blood boil, but some are simply adorable. And these mixtures sure makes the hours spent fun and interesting.

I'm starting to come to the fact that I'm 28 years old. And the feeling sucks when you know you are lacking of some pace in a monopoly world, and people around you have already started building hotels and you are still trying to bid for a buy at a house, or even trying to escape jail. You know, it's not the dream of being a millionaire or something. Coz this was never in my wish list. No point sulking at this time.

Time to unleash my potential to the fullest...

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

NDP = 1 floating leave

Fantastic.. National Day is coming.. and it has earned me a floating leave.. guess I shall float it to somewhere end of the year, and you know, taking loads of leave at the year end is supposed to be shiok. Been years since I have been to NDP, and the fireworks and crowd will always be one of the events which makes me "feel" I'm alive in Singapore. Recently came across Suntec and was awed by the fighter planes roaming like flying tigers. Magnificent! I lost that feeling since young, but it suddenly brought back the thrill of imagining myself as the pilot, defiantly speeding the plane across the skies and into the clouds. So sorry I have to post this old SBC Drama Theme song, one of my favourites: the show and song both.

Woo hoo.. whoever has this mp3, mai tu liao send to me.

Olympics are around the corner, and I wonder if I get to watch it on HDTV, will I be seeing "more" effects than the usual stuff? Or just expose more pimples on their faces? Whatever, but I guess I will be hooking on to sports like badminton and soccer. And maybe table tennis. Who will be an instant millionaire on his way back from Olympics? I doubt so, unless he or she met Mas Selamat fatefully somewhere in Beijing.

So this weekend, I guess I will be hooked on to the TV rather than the PC. Great! I need a change. But of cause, I won't forget to go for a run to CCK and back. Anyone onz?

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

Those were the days

Seriously, it's great to have memories. As I think about the old days in primary school when we brought our erasers with different countries logo to school just to flip on opponents' to win theirs, or borrowed Western Bar and Donkey Kong hand held games from friends and beat them to their scores, or received friends' invitation to write something on their autograph book (usually I took most of the time loaned to me reading other's testimonials, and uncreative people would fold the corner into half and put some lame notes there haha), I could say these stuff we had done were specially nostalgic. The current PSP, Nintendo DS or some online multi-player games did contribute to the final erosion of these child plays.
Next came the Aaron Kwok dance steps which even wowed the paedophile a while (although I was thinking he bought AK moves just to mock at him). Beach Boys and GTO became the greatest few japanese dramas during those times, while I was trying to master void deck soccer skills. Did look at pretty netball and volleyball girls in school but never even thought of chasing them. Not with my nerdy looks. Okay, I better use the hectic school work as the main excuse instead.
Last time, going to polytechnic when you could sneak in any JC with the O level results was suicidal, as most people with poorer agg would want to slap you for being "arrogant" (they didn't realise there was a choice in us, what's so great about JC girls? haha). In poly, three groups divided the people I mixed with. (1) the girls chasing group (who changed partners like the new t-shirts they wore in different semesters). (2) the hardworking group (the ones who isolated themselves by sitting very in front of the lecture hall, but it's a smart move because the guys at the back are really too noisy). (3) the simply bochup group (the ones who could just walk out of the lecture room midway thru the lesson and self declare teabreak or skipped lessons just because they felt bored).
People who knew me knows the group I belonged to.
Going to NS indeed made most guys grow up. And the physical and mental torture really helped to shape up the perseverance and discipline in most of us. And I forgotten how many times I heard of some friends' gf broke off with them during the NS days. Now you understand why I say mental torture. But I still thank SAF for all the shit they gave me. It really strengthens me in many ways.
Hmm.. working wasn't so bad after all. Started to see money rolling into the bank any month. But taking responsibility like paying household bills and etc also came in at this coincidental timing, so it kinda offset everything that we earned.
Now as I sit here typing away my blog, chewing away my Pringles, I watch the system time on my bottom right corner slowly ticking away. I don't know what I will experience next. And I ain't an optimist who looks forward to every second of the future. But one thing I know, I definitely have to start what I want to do or things will be too late. I don't want to go thru my life portfolio later with blank pages within.

When I refreshed myself with Beach Boys, I admired Yutaka who just looked out of the window from his office, saw the horizon at a distant, and went for it. If only people can be as 潇洒 as him, then who will be blamed for the poor economy ahead?

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Fen

爱情占线

Was trying to search for this chinese drama in youtube but to no avail. Then chanced into http://www.tudou.com/ and realised the entire show is there. Woo hoo.. save some mobtv cost..
The show is about a couple who hasn't met each other but has been communicating with SMS using their phones all the while before they met. And like all love stories, coincidence already knocks on the door for them before they know the truth about phone, as they have all along been working together.
I haven't finish up the show, so I guess I won't spoil it for those who wants to watch it. But hey, actors like 李铭顺 & 林湘萍 have been casted in the show, and they really show the how good their Singapore (or rather Malaysian for LMS) Mandarin sounds compared to the rest of the Chinese actors and actresses. But I kinda like the Mandarin of the Chinese, although Chinese in Singapore speak a lot more "rough".
Thats all folks, enjoy the July days!

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

One Dutch downs the entire country

After watching the Russia vs Netherlands match, I can say that Russia play the best football in Euro 2008. Netherlands seemed good with their lightning speed attacking football in the group games, but today the Russians are clearly the better side technically and tactically. Whenever they attack, the players will seem to find the best spot to support the holder. Each Russian player can dribble, pass and shoot well and it's this ability in each of them that makes their possession play so much better to the Dutch.
And the winning Russian coach has to be a Dutch ironically. And the style his team play makes one hesitate and think whether the ones wearing white are actually Dutch players (although it's quite obvious the ones wearing orange are).
Initially, I was quite glad Netherlands managed to get a goal back in normal time (because of a bet with my fren that Netherlands would win), but as I watched the extra time, I became convinced that Russia should be in the semi-finals. I started to love their football. So Russia all the way please go to the finals!
After this Euro, no teams would want to be tops in the group games(Portugal, Croatia and Holland all went out). An Italy win might be the last match to confirm this daunting fact.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

Sweat like Hell for $200

Did I tell anyone I'm in a 10 day reservist?? Wow it's quite a breather from work and although I know the work will definitely pile up when I return, then be it. It is quite nice to meet my old friends in camp and catch back some memories. As usual time wasting should substitute the logo in our unit, but we just have to accept it.
So today, I struck $200 with a hell lot of sweat. Wasn't feeling very good these few days due to running nose, and got a knock on the arm while playing games, so did not expect myself to get away with silver for this work year. My legs were already wobbly right from the start of the 2.4 km run, thanks to the sit-up retake due to a lot of no counts. See how computerized systems make you 'sweat'. Sweat bigtime when it malfunctions. Nevertheless, I was able to clock 11.00min for the run.
Yesterday woke up to watch the fierce match between Germany and Portugal. Really wonderful play by both teams, but some mistakes from Portugal really cost them the game. I don't know why this Euro I'm supporting Germany more than Netherlands (used to be my fav team), it might be that I have started to be practical and love to watch teams who lack the flamboyant skills but attack with a self-belief that can't be matched on their day. That has to be Germany. Yes, of course I would hope classic teams like Spain and Netherlands win something after attracting even the neutrals with their play, I got a feeling it might be down to the boring experienced Germany vs Italy. And how much Italy's soccer sucks to me, they always seem to be the unspectacularly blessed team.
Actually soccer matches have really taken up a portion of my life. Some ladies despise the stupid idea of spouses losing their sleep to watch 22 people running around the field with one ball. Some gamblers laugh at fanatics who don't even bet and lose their sleep. But they can never understand how soccer can inspire people's life, and I don't mind exchanging some of my life for inspiration.
Hmm.. anyone free to kick at teck whye block 8 on weekends morning?

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

guntaobu song of the month (Jun) - 张韶涵-重来

[ti:重来]
[ar:张韶涵]
[al:ang 5.0]
[by:李泽昊]
张韶涵-重来
www.feiyes.net ▓李泽昊
飞叶在线带你心飞

照亮这城市的阳光
在地平线远方
让夜不再漫长
受伤它是什么形状
被埋藏在何方
让痛化为了想象

爱如果一切重来
爱如果失去了伤害

再重来
会有什么精彩
还有什么值得期待
已过去的未来
再重来
难道不会失败
若失去跌倒的痛快
前进的方向还存不存在

照亮这城市的阳光
在地平线远方
让夜不再漫长
受伤它是什么形状
被埋藏在何方
让痛化为了想象

爱如果一切重来
爱如果失去了伤害

再重来
会有什么精彩
还有什么值得期待
已过去的未来
再重来
难道不会失败
若失去跌倒的痛快
前进的方向还存不存在

再重来
会有什么精彩
还有什么值得期待
已过去的未来
再重来
难道不会失败
若失去跌倒的痛快
前进的方向还存不存在

Guys, sorry long time never blog. no, no, i'm not sick of blogging.. it's just that I wanna remind silent for a while, at least for the victims of the recent disasters. It's just that it felt a bit out of place to be seeing different people from different areas struggling, and here I wasthinking of what kind of ice-cream to eat to curb the afternoon heat. Well, the only deed we could sow over here is call the infamous 1900-number. Hope everything will be back im place.

These days when I go to work, I will see an man in his 50s, with his hands gripping hold of his wife's tight. The wife seemed to be mentally unstable. Last time when we took the lift together, she would look disturbed and would hid behind his husband. The husband would sometimes reassured her to calm her down.

I often see him bringing her down for strolls, and he always would hold her hand, and talked to her patiently. And indeed she appeared healthier nowadays and could even talk to the husband, although I could only hear muttering. Then I was thinking to myself, some people just amaze me. I could see in his eyes, he only wished to take care of her for life. Really he wouldn't mind, coz you could usually notice the impatience in someone when help is rendered unwillingly.

Suddenly, I have a thought. If we know that our partner would have some problems and would need to take care of her/him this way, maybe not now but in the future, would we step into it in the first place? It's easy to say yes, but it's difficult not to have that bit of grumbliing later on, or rather regrets. But I definitely do not see it in him.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Fen

Thomas Cup - Lee Yong Bae

No, I wasn't hooked to the badminton cup held by Indonesia because of the suave Korean youngster Lee Yong Dae, but the 19 year old showed his experience in beating China in the doubles and got my adrenalin rush flowing.
At first, I tuned in to Sopcast with the hope of watching Roma make a final push for the Italian Seria A title, but when I saw the match up of the Koreans against Chinese, I decided to stay at the channel and watch. Gosh, the reflexes by the players were fantastic.
The chinese were strong and tall, and were heading for the victory in the first set when the shorter Koreans kept their hopes alive by going into deuces. And imagine the match was kept "deucing" until the score was 25-25. And all these while the advantage in the deuces went to China. They just could not break the Koreans down with the vital point. Tides turned to the Korean side and the moment they had the advantage, they went on to defeat the China side in the first set. And the 2nd set, it was Korean all the way.
Wow.. long time never play badminton, and as much as I know competitive badminton can be boring (if it's one-sided, and usually it is), I think it's never so when you have met your match in an opponent.

Lee yong Dae with a fan

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吳克群越爱越难过 MV - guntaobu song of the month (apr)

作词：吴克群作曲：吴克群

说说你为什麼
为什麼要走说你为何要分手
别拖求你别软弱
求你说出口分手的理由
但你却拖拖拖拖到什麼时候
如果要走却又为何停留
请你别拖拖拖大声的说出口
请你要痛就痛给我个快活
如果说你要走我不会留
我不去管以后
然后我们说清楚一句话就够
如果说你要走我不会留
我不去管以后
多麼痛多麼的难过
别越爱越难过
然后连话都不说继续沉默
连朋友都没的作为了什麼
然后跟别人说你其实还是爱我
就算了吧坏人我来作

They always say songwriters cum singers will never run out of fans. How very true, sometimes I think that if not for the songs market, every singer should write his/her own songs for the album. But of coz, some songwriters can't really sing. Personally, I would love combinations like a songwriter cum singer writing for another songwriter cum singer.

shit.. feel sucky watching barcelona players in their "take their dog to the garden stroll" speed against Man United. And now Liverpool fans are telling me they prefer Chelsea to win, so that Man United will have the slightest chance of losing the final.

Nevertheless, just sit back and enjoy the Champions League final the boring style - EPL teams trying to see who can hit their ball highest because they just love to pomp ball.

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The Book for People Who Do Too Much

Came across this book by Trevor Greive in the library and borrowed it. Very meaningful to me, but it might not mean anything to others. There are some quotes which really brings me back to life, telling me that life is not just accepting everything that people around want you to do. People like us usually will oblige to help, but deep in our heart sometimes we do not understand the word "Obligation". This book tells us that "Saying no can sound selfish, but by protecting our time and energy to fully enjoy our lives and pursue our true passions, we'll ultimately have a lot more of ourselves to share with those who are most precious to us."

Enough of drinking red bulls just to slog through that damn project deadline?

Enough of trying to climb up the career ladder with so many competitors trying to put a knife on your back?

Enough of running errands/driving for your loved ones just to make their life easier?

Enough of trying to get into everyone's good books to be liked for who we truly are?

Do sometimes take a break and have a book. The bottom line is that people who do too much end up doing too little of what really matters. They spend their life buzzing from one tiring and trivial task to another, instead of living their dreams.

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Internal Motivation

Imagine a welfare society wants to build a clinic in a poor neighbourhood and is seeking donations. A really rich guy gives a million dollars. The thought in this person's mind when he donated the money is,"When the clinic is completed, there will be a plaque with my name in the foyer. Other people will know that I'm the chief benefactor of the clinic." That is his motivation. Another person who doesn't much money gives ten dollars. But her motivation is, "It's fantastic that there will be a clinic here. May everyone who comes to this clinic be instantly cured of all their diseases and ailments. May all their injuries heal quickly. May they abide in happiness."
In this scenario, there is one person giving a million dollars with one motivation and another person giving ten dollars with a different motivation. In general society, who do we say is the generous person? The one who gives a million dollars. That person gets so much credit and everyone goes, "Look at him. He is so generous and kind." Others make a big deal out of him and completely ignore the person who gives ten dollars.
But when we examine the motivations of the donors, who is the generous one? It is the one who gave ten dollars. Was the person who gave a millions dollars generous? From the point of view of his motivation, was there any generosity? No, he was doing it for the benefit of his own ego. He did it to gain status in community. He came out looking good in people's eyes, and others thought he was generous. But in terms of the karma he created, it was not a generous action. Meanwhile, the person who did not receive others' acclaim is the generous person.

~Dealing with Life's Issues~

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HCMC

Been ages since I have been that far. Last week, I went to Ho Chi Minh City, and I have been hoping to go to this country all along. Why Vietnam? I'm also not sure. And before I went, I was still having those hesitation whether going to developing countries would be fun. However, I never regreted going for this wonderful place, simple but captivating in it's own way.

Here's the itinerary for the 4 days:
Day 1:
Free & Easy!~

Day 2:
My Tho City (Vinh Trang Pagoda)
Mekong River (Mekong Delta)
Ben Thanh Market
Thien Hau Temple

Day3:
Cu Chi Tunnel
Lacquerware shop
War Museum
HCMC Post Office
Notre Dame Cathedral

Day 4:
Free & Easy !~

On the first day, we were already greeted by the notorious traffic in HCMC. Motorbikes were everywhere. The air pollution was rather bad, and I couldn't imagine how my nose and lungs could stand all these for 4 days. Crossing the road proved to be one of the most challenging tasks, but the surprising thing was, once you stepped on the road, these vehicles will steer away automatically. If it was in Singapore, someone would horn real loud before you or jam his break at the last minute to make you jump.
We seemed to indulge in intense bargaining at Ben Thanh Market for quite some time. Some Vietnamese girls at the market would grab you by the arm and ask you to buy their stuff, making it seem as it their business was that bad. I ended up being "choked" in buying a shirt and pants, which later I realised the price could be slashed to a lot lesser. But of coz I managed to convince myself this was part and parcel for a tourist.
2nd day was a rather hot day, and we took a boat across Mekong River to one of the poorest islands which produces honey, coconut sweets and many other food. The folks there entertained us with their folk songs combined with Chinese songs (subject to changes if you are from another race). It was nice sitting in a sampan enjoying the nature trail of Mekong Delta. Hmm Ben Thanh Market again?! We shopped again and I have started to become dizzy of all the mazy shops around.
That night, zongwei and I ventured into somewhere like Chinatown by a cab. Wow, those places sell things many times cheaper! Imagine a pair of adidas slippers (pirated) for 80 cents. And realised a lot of people there are like Taiwan; youngsters got around in their motorbikes and shops sold clothes similar to Bugis Street.
3rd day was interesting in the Cu Chi Tunnel. We got to tunnel through some hideouts when decades ago, Vietnamese were using these tunnels to hide themselves from the Ang Mohs. A lot of history of these wars were also illustrated in the war museum. Some were rather gross.
I was starting to love this place, but it was time to head back to our hectic "clean" and "green" city. But seriously, it was greener in Vietnam. You can definitely find food if you are a cow as in the rural areas, green fields were spread around like mattresses for cows.
It really got me a bit of time to get used to Singapore rather than Vietnam. Hahaah.. Hmmm where to for the next stop?

Some more videos can be found at: http://youtube.com/user/guntaobu

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Name Quiz

I have rated how true the quiz of my name is: highlighted orange = true, green = ok lah, red = true meh?

What Zheng Jian Fen Means

You are incredibly wise and perceptive. You have a lot of life experience.

You are a natural peacemaker, and you are especially good at helping others get along.

But keeping the peace in your own life is not easy. You see things very differently, and it's hard to get you to budge.

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 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 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 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.

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you.

You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries.

You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice.

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 usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are loving, compassionate, and ruled by your feelings.

You are able to be a foundation for other people... but you still know how to have fun.

Sometimes your emotions weigh you down, but you generally feel free from them.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

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Hmm.. title?

Take a breathe.. what's the date today? 24th Feb.. these days pass pretty fast for me, and I know in a thrice 2008 will be over.

First, hope all my friends take care of their health. Me too. Going to cut down on rubbish and start getting my fitness up.

Anyway, for the first match against outside opponents, Hisoft United lost 3-1 to Schwarz Star FC (www.schwarzstarfc.com). Not a bad results considering that the opponents have a coach and have played many matches. Fitness, understanding of players, and communication should be our improvement focus for now. Can see that in the opponents. I was chasing shadows all day, I admit I still do not have what it takes to be a good midfielder. Nevermind, we shall "move forward" from here.

Been cracking brains recently in order to see my future clearer in my company. Understand when the management isn't there, it will be tough getting things up. Nevermind, I will remind myself to sit back for a cup of coffee and not be too stressed. Work isn't everything!

Will be embarking on a journey to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) on March 13 - 16. My dream of going to a place with no shopping malls has come true. Realized that internet is really the place if you want to find out more about somewhere, and I am quite fasinated by the photos taken in http://www.pbase.com (thanks David) and information in http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ (thanks Cynthia).

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Happy Vday!

Happy Valentine's Day! May everyone be filled with love not for this very day, but for everyday.

For singles who have nothing much to do on this day, you can watch this clip. Nostalgic!

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Rats

Happy Rats Year to All.. Hope everyone enjoyed their past few days of stuffing titbits and snacks into their mouth and stuffing angpows into their pockets. For me, I was busy finishing the new year food intended for guests. Didn't know I was such a rubbish bin until now. As for angpows, my enthusiasm has seemed to diminish with every year as I knew at my age, it wasn't all that great to get angpows, especially when cousins around the same age as me handed them to me with the "Buay paiseh?" look. Hahah...

Not really into Chinese Horoscope usually, but I am quite anxious about my career aspects. All the forecast saying that there will be improvements in my career makes me wonder about the stunts I have done this year. Move or not to move? Also who is my 贵人? But it doesn't really matter. Decision making is always troublesome, so it's best to not look back on what I have done.

Oh.. valentine's day is near the corner, wish all happy couples enjoy their day and dun use up all their love for their loved ones just on that day. Hahaha... funny advice.

Things have happened to me for these few months. And I started to realise that I'm really like a motocross biker nowadays: anything can happen to me, just a slip or something and I might be down the cliff. But the nice thing about this trail is how I look at it. Right now I'm facing my wall with a poster of a motocross biker. Here is what it says,"ADVENTURE, once you are motivated by desire rather than fear, the trail is yours." Hmmm... how true...

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Spring Cleaning

wow.. never realised my room is so full of dust until I started to use my rag to wipe my shelves. That is the retribution I get for cleaning my room once a year. Is it guys or is it me? Where got people so nuar wait for one year then clean their room one time. Hahah..

Anyway, trying to revamp my room decoration. Any ideas? Recently, I saw a very nice drawing done by a Chinaman who is setting up his stall in Vivo City. The drawing really captured my attention: it was a tree with loads of leves branching out. A very westernized drawing by a Chinaman. After he explained then I realized that it was a paper cutting. Mind you, to cut a complicated picture without snapping up the tiny frail portions lying out isn't an easy task, it takes lots of concentration and professional cutting skills. I imagined if I was the person who is tasked to come up with this cutting, I might have taken months, and wasted paper amounting to the number of leaves in the picture! Even programming a machine to do it will take years I guess, so sometimes we just can't beat human beings for some tasks.

Impressive, right? I don't mind selling you guys cheaper if you guys can count the leave and let me know how many. Hahaha.

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Reservist (14 jan 08 - 18 jan 08)

Happy New YEar 2008!

So around 4 years after my ORD (17/12/03), I was called up for my first reservist. Damn it, why didnt they forget me? Actually, I was looking forward to this one week event. Really wonder how the SAF has changed after 4 years. But guess it will be pretty much the same, or it wouldn't be SAF.

Dug out my duffle bag to check whether the spiders had wrapped how many rounds of their web on my stuff. The smell of army(grass + dust) can be sensed the moment I opened my bag. Brought back a few memories.

Anyway, will be meeting up with my good friend during our national service for the reservist. Glad that he will be going to the training with me, after 4 years. Still remember vividly the day both of us were posted to the signal company and the s**t that awaited us. Hmm.. army days are really bitter sweet when you think of them and you know you will never go back to those gruelsome, nightmarish hours of saikang.

Got to sleep early tonight.. coz I foresee tomorrow will doze away during the boring sessions..

-_-zZZZ

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Adventure

g.u.n.t.a.o.b.u

3073km Away

Rabbit, Horse, Elephant?

Xmas Season Is Still On!

五月天 - 突然好想你

你不是真正的快乐

I'm blessed

Canon Powershot SX110 IS

Naruto vs Sasuke

Nike Shoes(Brown) vs Nike Shoes (Grey)

Lee Hom vs Jay Chou

Running is great!

Sorry I dun need a title for the crap below

NDP = 1 floating leave

Those were the days

爱情占线

One Dutch downs the entire country

Sweat like Hell for $200

guntaobu song of the month (Jun) - 张韶涵-重来

Thomas Cup - Lee Yong Bae

吳克群越爱越难过 MV - guntaobu song of the month (apr)

The Book for People Who Do Too Much

Internal Motivation

HCMC

Name Quiz

Hmm.. title?

Happy Vday!

Rats

Spring Cleaning

Reservist (14 jan 08 - 18 jan 08)

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