Merry Christmas

As an almost tradition now, I attended mass at CHC for the 3rd year running for Christmas. Not that I am thinking of converting, but because CHC's mass during the Xmas period is special. There is always a short play. The actors and actresses are volunteers who have little or no stage appearance but the end result is outstanding. There is always some humor and the plot is very cleverly written to depict the themes of Christmas; story of Jesus, of love, giving, caring and sharing.

One drawback as a non-Christian (not considering to convert from my ancient Buddhism belief) attending CHC mass with very zealous young people is that I have to cleverly give polite excuses to avoid going to the front to let the pastor aid me in welcoming Him into my life. Sounds abstract? Also, there were awkward moments where I have to turn around or light a candlestick and say somethings to the effect that makes me religiously embarrassing. Not wanting to appear to go there for the free entertainmet, I will gladly oblige with my utmost respect.

Okie, enough of the not-so-nice comments. This year is especially important to attend becasue my brother's fiance is acting. Alas, I have to give support. So too did my staunch Budhhist Mum and anything-goes Dad. I have to confess my mum and I made some jokes amongst ourselves to ease our uneasiness in a hall filled with Christians. We did not want to appear bored or left-out coz if we did, then someone will strike a conversation with us which more often than not lead to religiously embarrasing moments.

Of all the differences between the practising of Budhhism and Christianity, there is at least 1 similarity which I observed. That is Tiam-You. haha...At CHC, they provide envelopes. At temples, they provide a metal tin for donation, after which an abbot will chant some chants and replenish some praying oil at the altar, hence Tiam(replenish) You(oi).

At last, I m ready for the real purpose of this post which is to wish everybody, staunch Buddhist or zealous Christians notwithstanding, a very Merry Christmas.

Libertango

Libertango...one of my favourite pieces for my hall dance production. It was one of the pieces which I performed in. Although my psychomotor disposition has got not too much to die for, this is the only dance routine which I felt very comfortable learning. Did not need to injure myself or distort my legs too much. Also, I had a great partner coz she had loads of dance background. It was very sensual and sexy. You can just dance with the music without much effort...

Estoque

Been a while since I uploaded a picture. So here's one. Looks very zen and robotic but less intimidating than normal Lambos...Btw, this is the new Lamborghini Estoque (sounds like Lamborgini Excuse). At AUD 300 000 a pop, surely it is not within the reach of many of us. However, if you do have the spare cash, it is a more practical buy in terms of being a supercar as it seats >2 ppl. Not sure about the comfort level but it will get you to places pretty quickly.

The more I look at it, the more I feel it will suddenly transform into a talking machine ala Transformers...

GLP

To do it anot? GLP? It is 3 years! I may not get it even, i guess just give it a try...if don't get it then too bad.

Blood thicker than Water?

Sometimes, I think being an only child is better than having siblings. This is why:

a) Your parents' love for you will be divided (sometimes disproportionately).
b) More possibility of friction.
c) Unnecessary stress due to comparisons.
d) Higher expectations of you if you are older.
e) Even higher expectations if you are younger (to not be a brat).
f) Having an a** for a sibling.
g) Being an *s* to your sibling.
h) Being an even bigger **s to your parents when u quarrel with ur siblings.

That's what I can think of...all of those were my personal encounters at different stages of growing up and I don't really believe any of those will change even if you are grown up. [On a few occasions, a combination of the above mentioned have got to me quite abit.] Perhaps, the difference is, these problems don't get to you as much as if they do in the past because your life is wider and more mature than fighting with your siblings. Why do you think?

DONe DOne Done...

Done Done Done! Done with my exams finally...What a relief...*heaves a sign of relief...

Things to do after exams

Things to do after exams...

1. Eat
2. Sleep
3. Watch Desperate Housewives
4. Watch Movies
5. Play Tennis
6. Play Ping Pong
7. Repeat from 1-6
8. Repeat 7.
9. Reduce 1 if 5 & 6 are not met coz will get unhealthy.
10.Skip 4 if money is running out.
11.Skip 10 if mum is sponsoring.

Not that I m not getting anything to eat or sleep during or before the end of exams, it is just the relaxation when you lie down on bed knowing you do not have the immediate burden of exams lingering at the back of your mind cramping for space with the knowledge you have gained whilst revising. And that was a very long sentence!

Rare Skin Disease

While surfing the you-tube, I came across "Demon Baby". It is actually a baby who has Harlequin-type ichthyosis. It is a skin disease and is the most severe form of congential ichthyosis. If you have weak guts for disturbing graphic images, it is best advised that u dun google this disease because the patients are not anything like those who are suffering from normal skin conditions.

Space

The space in my living room is getting smaller and smaller. So is the space in my head. It is shrinking...Oh obama save me! haha..wu liao

Time

Lost in time...

Argh

Exploited....unreasonable.....incomprehensible impatience.....best part is i m doing it!

Disturbing

Recently, I have been bugged by many things. First of all, the financial turmoil is even more dramatic than Jackie Chan's kung fu movies. The amount of money being wipped out of the stock markets is at rates unprecedented. I am quite certain that at least 95% of the people who invest in stocks would have suffered more than double-digit percentage losses. As one friend puts it, the half-life of the stocks are very short, ie: it is worth less than half it was in a short span of time.

Next lies in the uncertainty in the future where I am concerned...that is securing a job. It suddenly hit me like a freight train that I may not be getting a cushy job that pays well. Far from that, I may not even secure a job! Sell backside alr...dunno if anyone wants? aNy taKeRs? I have a round and bubbly butt...opps...tt was too graphic..haha...apologizes.

Thirdly, this part of my concern is sth which i cannot describe properly. haha...wat i can describe is tt the task i m involved in is quite demeaning but for certain things, i guess it's worth it...it builds one's characeter, initiative and boldness and most imptly the learning curve...

Think...thinking...

I was thinking this is just so tiring...keep searching and searching...the result is almost as good as the previous time...but when its time...it has to be done...it's been a long and arduous search....haiz...

Ken Lee ? Can't Live Without You

She's very good though she needs some English lessons to break into the international scene.

Gentle breeze

Have you ever wondered why is breeze gentle? Why is breeze always associated with deep thoughts, tranquil setting and mystical touch?

F1

Bravo to ppl who brought F1 to Singapore and double bravo to people who made F1 a success. I was initially very sceptical about having F1 in Singapore with all the road closure and mess to traffic and the likes. However, after watching it live on Channel 5, I was so emotional, about to jump up and down and scream my support for Kimi. That was not true, of course.

What is true is I was gently impressed by how our roads can be turned into a race track. The night view was simply breath-taking and unprecedented (since its the first night race for F1). It has won me over hands down! I sat through all 61 laps of it and like the night race for F1, it was a first for me. Good job!

On a similar note, being a partisan tennis fan, I would like some rich fellows to bring a WTA or ATP tennis tournament to Singapore. They have it Thailand, Indonesia and China, why not Singapore? I believe if we can do that, we can truely assert ourselves as the sports hub of SEA.

Imports

Of late, there have been many happenings with 'imports'! First and foremost, there is the imported economic bear-run, as a result of toxic debts stemming from unregulated banks.

Next, there is foreign imports! Imported talent helping us win an Olympic medal. Strangely, there is no apparent reports of any imported para-olympians...

Next, there is imported crime! The Yishun triple murders, where the alleged perpetrator and victims are from China. We import crime to our shores...not that we dun export crimes overseas...so all is fair and square.

Next, what makes me really ruffled is the imported melamine tainted milk products! It is ok according to food science experts who tested the amount of melamine in the white candy sweet and the likes with melamine levels lesser than the guidelines set by American standards. But, why is melamine, an industrial and agricultural raw material doing in dairy products in the first place? Apparently, to trick the detection system into accepting that the diluted milk contains sufficient proteins since melamine and proteins contain nitrogen and nitrogen is used as a detection indicator for proteins. I believe that if rats contain high levels of nitrogen, they would grind them and put them into the milk if not for the processing of the fur and tails!

It totally jolts one's confidence in purchasing ANY products which are even remotely linked to China. I mean, I have no prejudice against the before-mentioned country. However, my fears are not unfounded. Look no further than 2007. There was the luncheon meat scare, then the toy paint scare, and now, the milk product scare? What's next?...perhaps the can of soft drink or even the cheap t-shirts u got from pasa malam could be emitting toxic yet odorless fumes from dyes under the hot sun!

Recruitment Talks

I have been attending recruitment talks as though they were lectures. Firvously! The similarity does not end there. I have been consistently dozing off like how I would in lectures, missing chunks of important stuff (or is that so?) Some recruitment talks were extremely engaging such as BP while others were down right annoying, no thanks to the host who uttered more "actuallys" than I did the whole of last year.

Other interesting observations made were the familiar faces. I do not know them at all, but through the various recruitment talks, the sense of familiarity is hard to miss. One wonders their motive for attending these talks. Some were genuinely there for the talks, while others were quick to leave the lecture hall for the FOOD. It does not help when the general perception of these people are already bad to begin with. The act of rushing for free food and piling the plates are revolting. Gross. It just exacerbates their already impoverished attitude and social etiquette. ( I am saying this because I couldn't rush out quick enough to get the free food..nah...I.was kidding...)

Anyway, it suddenly dawned upon me that I will be entering the next phase in life in the not-so-distant future.

Feeling smart?

1 smart fella, he felt smart...
2 smart fellas, they felt smart...
3 smart fellas, they felt smart...
4 smart fellas, they felt smart...
.
.
.
continue to 10 smart fellas and do it quickly, what do they have in common, or rather what did they smell? lol...

Durable Champion

US Open Champion 2008...

In 2007, Serena remarked that she will regain the no.1 status. Many questioned her confidence. With the US Open trophy in her hands for the 3rd time in 2008, she has regained the no.1 status. Why is this success so special and why it makes her a great athletic?

Firstly, she became disinterested in her sports mid-way, disappeared and grew out-of-shape. Her ranking fell off to outside 100. She worked hard, got into shape, and blasted her way to victory in the 2007 Australian Open, trashing Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in double quick time in that finals. She was no.81 and Sharapova, no.1 then. From then on, she became more motivated, more focused. All this while, many pretenders particularly from Serbia and Russia, seized the opportunity in the vacuum which Serena and Venus left, rose through the rankings. A few managed the no.1 spot even!

One wonders are they truly deserving of the no.1 spot? I have my doubts. These few pretenders have been passing around the no.1 spot like potatoes out of the oven. Serena is durable, so is her sis. Both are destined to achieve more grand slam success given the current field of dismal players. Many uprising starlets tried to xerox their style of play, powerful strokes from the baseline. However, they could only achieve scant success. The thing with the Williams sis is that the tournaments are there for them to lose. Not much depends on their opponents.

Many players are like supernova, they shine brilliantly, but briefly. The William sis are like stars, they glow for a long time before dying out. Serena won her first slam in 1999, Venus in 2000. Both won slams in 2008. My point exact. Except for 2006, at least one of them have featured in a slam final every year since 2000. Between them, they have 16 slams, 7 more than the combined slams won by all the other active players...On regaining the no.1 spot, Serena has stamped her authority and regain the supremacy she once reigned about a decade ago. Ana who? Jankovic? huh? No impression...

On this day, Serena taught her pretender how to play tennis, the Williams way!


I hoped that I have not bore non-tennis readers to death. This post is a tribute to my idol...how we can learn from her. If you really want something, you have to have the desire and the mental toughness to work towards it.

Only If

Only if? Reflective or Regretful? There are many times when you want to do things differently after the consequences are felt. Only if you think...only if i can continue this post...haha...hit a mental block...

Week 3

This few weeks have been very relaxed, almost too relaxed for my own good. First it was Olympics, then this week its US Open which is going to be another 2 weeks. I hope, at the end of 4 weeks, I am aware that I have actually started a new semester.

The new semester has began, new faces, new dress style. Being void of any dress sense and any awareness of it (most of the time), it has struck me that students are getting dressy each semester. For me to be able to point it out, the change in the dress sense of students have got to be too apparent to miss.

On the men's front, I have noticed that there is this atas-ish looking white leather shoes worn with plunging ankle socks or none at all seemed to be the mantra of guys' footwear.

On the ladies' front, more flats, less causal unisex shoes, less crumplers, more coch bags, more cosmetics are headlining the Techno Edge.

Eye Candies of Olympics

Yelena Isinbayeva, Russia, Pole Vault...

Elena Dementiva, Russia, Tennis Singles...

Natasia Luiken, USA, Gymnast...

Fu Hai Feng, China, Badminton Doubles...

Andreas Thorkildsen, Norway, Javelin...

These few athletes may be one of the reasons why people watch the Olympics, even though they may not understand a single thing about their respective sports. They are head-turners (of course, heads turn in their direction not the other way). Sculptured physiques and gold medalists in their disciplines. (Fu Hai Feng won silver though) They have it all, good looks, outstanding champions and fame. Lets not also forget they put in effort to achieve their status. I may have missed out on a few others from beach volleyball. Also, Japanese table tennis player Ai Fukahara is a babe who plays a heck of balls (ping pong).

PHEnomenaLPS

The dust (or rather the splashes) at Water Cube have settled for swimming. While Singapore has made a little wave of her own, on the other side of the world, this guy, Michael Phelps is making tsunamis! If you dun already know, he has won 8 gold medals at a single Olympics and has 14 gold medals from 2 Olympics, distinguishing himself from the 2nd most golds won at 9.

IF he was a Singaporean, mind you, he will be v v rich. Speedo has offered US1million to him if he wins 7 or 8 golds. Singapore will offer SGD 1 million for individual gold and SGD1.5million for team gold. He won 5 ind. & 3 relay golds. That will be SGD6.125 million!

If by any chance, Mr Phelps do know about the rewards scheme in SG, I hope he would consider swimming for us....haha....as if!

History

Singapore paddlers have done us proud by guranteeing that Tan How Liang's 1960 Olympics medal will not be lonely. They have edged out the South Koreans to book themselves a daunting match against the Chinese.

Whatever the outcome, we will be proud to add at least 1 more silver and appear in the medal tally for the first time since our independence...

Go Team Singapore

ERP and Hilter?

This is some creative piece of work. Even Hilter has got something to say about our roads and transport system. haha

08-08-08

Come Friday will be 08-08-08. Ppl born in 08-08-88 will be 20 and the Olympics will begin. SG Pools will hold a $8 Million TOTO draw. What can I do with $8million IF I win it and win it alone...haha? I can't afford the cheapest apartment in Nassim Park tho...its >3000sqf at $3000psf...

I can start dreaming first...but back to reality...sch starts next week...oh...and do tune in to Channel 5's 'First Class'...looks like a v watchable local program...

Long Time

Took pics with jason...white seems to be the favoured color...

With shunde...

With Junyuan...

And a grp foto, of course...

A light-hearted meetup with fwens whom I had not seen in a long long time. Jason, we met up in Copenhagen. Thanks for agreeing to bringing all my jackets back, bringing the much missed kaya and toothpaste from SG to CPH.

Junyuan. Nice learning that you are gg to Beijing for summer program. Wish you haf a smashing good time there. Bring back lotsa Beijing Summer Olympics souvenirs.

Shunde, my JC schmate and BMT section mate. Nice to see you after like 5years? World is so small. So how we know each other from various institutions and organizations.

Randomly

Looks like kiasuism is not just a SG phenomenon...

last few daes in my hostel...

one section in my wardrobe...food & souvenirs...

A few random pics I found interesting to share while browsing through my SEP pictures.

Worth mentioning is that the Danes are as diligent as anyone here. In the first pic, it was taken during our polymer chemistry examination. Featured here is a Dane, she has got like 5 textbooks, all beautifully earmarked. Compared with us, we have one stack of notes, all beautifully stapled...haha. The paper is 4 hr long, open book and there is internet access. How convenient for us not to pass? Anyway, bl left at the end of the 3rd hr, while the rest of us wanted to have extra sense of security, so we sat thru the entire 4 hrs.

What kind of security I was looking for? Well, for starters, I chatted on msn, not for answers i assure you, i m not a cheat (although i can be obnoxiously intolerable, some can attest to this...haha) . I also checked thru my script 12000 times, trying to read between the lines of the questions, sometimes searching for grammatic errors, other times, just mulling over why the system here is so diff from back home.

boo...

snobbed...wat to do? :(

uNchaNgeD

Nothing much interesting to discuss about. Nothing much has changed around the world. A few more ppl shelled, a few banks closed, a few cents more when taking cabs, a few more ERP gantries, 2 ppl charged for being rich and wanting to survive, 2 ppl charged for wanting to sell their organs to get out of the vicious cycle of poverty.

Anyway...

Went to this dinner place @ Taka for buffet. It was pretty pricey. It was my 2nd all time most expensive dinner, even more ex than the buffets in Denmark! The appetizer(sushi) was fantastic, however, the main dishes were passable only. Not too bad by my humble standards when it comes to food coz the chilli crabs and fried dory fish saved the day.

Warning

It has been brought to my attention that in May, a blogger was arrested for publishing a racist entry in his blog. I have managed to find out what tt particular post was and feels that he deserves it.

Come on, we are a cosmopolitan society; a society from the dawn of independence holds religious and racial tolerance at the very highest regard. You can say they are the bedrock of our survival. We are not the same as the US where freedom of speech is in the constitution. To all bloggers out there, responsible blogging is the mantra to your continued stay-out-of-jail survival tool.

That being said, it is worth mentioning that this fellow's arrest sends warning to bloggers to be more discerning and careful about what they write in future. Uncle Sam knows what you are writing!

PS: I better go check my previous posts. Wait die jialat jialat.

Spanish Delight

Just in case you live in Mars, Flag of SPAIN...

Rafael Nadal...Wimbledon Champion 2008...

(L-R) Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, 2008...Rafael the Champion, Roger the vanquished...as opposed to 2007 (see below)

(L-R) Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, 2007...Rafael, the apprentice, Roger the Champion back in 2007...

Rafael Nadal topped Roger Federer in Wimbledon 2008 to win his 5th grand slam and most importantly, established himself as not just a clay court master. Who else to beat to prove his prowess? Roger Federer, the 5 time defending champ.

The Spaniards have much to cheer about with their soccer team's victory in Euro Championship and Nadal's French Open victory. Now, they have added the Wimbledon trophy. Good job! What a Spanish delight...haha...or issit delighted Spaniards...

Sisters Act

Venus...champion for the 5th time...

Winning the doubles...

Sisters Venus and Serena met in their 7th grand slam final. This time, Venus prevailed. Strange that she always shines at the biggest stage, and loses quite tamely at smaller events. Venus gets her 5th Wimbledon and 7th grand slam(GS) overall as she denies Serena of her 3rd Wimbledon and 9th GS.

Talk of their decline were brushed aside as they trashed most of their opponents. The rising Russians and Serbs were vanquished and the Williams remain a force not to be overlooked. At 28 and 26, their best seemed to be a thing of the past. However, over this fortnight, they showed everybody why they remain the players to beat. My opinion is, they are the best players of the last decade.

Winning the doubles title is just the perfect demonstration as why they are so good, anywhere!

Wasting Time

I have concluded that I am very good at wasting time. Been a week since I got home and I haven't pack some stuff. Room is perennially in a mess, living room not spaced. Don't get me started on my writing desk.

Anyway, on a brighter note, finally got in touch with my fyp prof. So hard to get hold. If this is to go by, then I foresee myself having a hard time trying to contact her in future.

PS: I love you

P.S. I Love You, a welcomed breath of fresh air where romantic movies are concerned. Unlike the usual off the mill romanticas, this movie offers a refreshing and original plot.

Coping with losing a spouse, a beloved family member, a pet or a friend can be daunting. There is nothing one can do when the lost is permanent, like in the show. However, when the lost is the result of a misunderstanding, clash of characters, clash of ideas, miscommunication, not all are lost.

I can't offer an opinion or a manual as to how to resolve these issues, but a safe bet would be to start communicating. Someone has to step up and apologize. Easier said than done, pride has often been the stumbling block . It all depends on how much you want that person to be back in your life, how much you treasure his/her friendship/companionship. If all you want are memories of those times, then stay silent. If you want to relive those good times over and over again for as long as you live, then do something.

PS: To you and you, I miss you more than you but still got miss...haha

Spain

Vamos the Spainards twice over. Newly crowned champions of Europe, Spain has vindicated their constant under-achievement. In a span of 1 month, the Spanish has dominated the arena of sports. Firstly with Rafael's 4th straight French Open crown. Applauds to the way he won it. He absolutely destroyed Federer; 6-1, 6-3, 6-0! Federer looked like a mere spectator in that much hyped about match.

A month later, their football team brought back soccer's second most coveted trophy! It remains to be seen if Spain can finally win their first ever World Cup in 2010. I hope they do, cause they are the best team not to have won the World Cup. Also, thumbs up to Fernando Torres for his masterclass and touch that brought his country to their feet! Vamos Fernando and Rafael

Familiar

All too familiar, the scent, the people, the streets, the newspapers, the tv programs and most importantly, the language! The weather's not too familiar no longer since it became hotter! It is relentless...the sweltering heat...omg. There are just so much clothes u can shred before you get arrested.

Even while sleeping, I can feel pearls of perspiration forming at hard-to-reach areas (not what you are thinking!); back, the ankles. Not the birds nor the sunlight but the heat that usually spoils the sleep.

Now, since school is resuming, the chances of facing the heat is inevitably absolute.
The thought of riding in the bus is all too dreadful. Imagine squeezing with 5000+ other people, sweating secondary boys and sometimes girls, aunties, menial workers, sleepy tertiary students, the occasional BO dudes. You will be like, "What have I gotten myself into?" Then again, you are also part of the equation that makes other ppl's rides as unpleasant as yours.

It doesn't help when your bus is trapped and constantly overtaken by erratic taxis, rude executives driving their rides taking advantage of the sheer size and 'speed' of your bus. Add to the fact that some buses don't come with air-conditioning, the situation is just too depressing.

By the time the bus finally arrives at your school, you just feel like not doing anything at all. If anything, there is no such thing as climatizing to S'pore's unforgiving heat. The other alternative is to own your ride! Yeah rite, wait till you pump your tank...

Going Home

Going home after 5months and 2 days. Finally...It has been a great journey. This trip out has taken me to places I only dreamed of previously. As far down south as Rome to as up north as Kiruna. From the warmest places to the coldest. As I pen this post, it will be the last 48hrs that I will spend in Europe.

Here are the places I've visited: Stockholm, Kiruna, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsingborg, Helsingor, Milan, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Venice, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London, Cambridge, Interlaken, Luzern, Berlin, Munich, Vienna and Salzburg.

It is a bitter sweet affair for this trip. There were ups and downs like every other things. One of the most memorable things would have to be the souvenirs, keychains and other 'useless' decoratives, fortunately or otherwise, therefore I bought them, to be reminded of the places I visited.

eNd oF seMestEr tRiP

Approaching now is the end of semester trip. Mixed feelings of wanting to go back yet wanting to stay. Anyway, come tomorrow, I will set off for a 21days trip. First stop; Berlin -> Madrid ->Barcelona ->Paris ->Interlaken->Salzburg->Vienna->Munich ->Berlin ->Copenhagen->Singapore.

Welcome to the family

Welcoming a new member to my family...a Corolla Altis...She is a light drinker. She makes 14km on a litre of fuel. Anyway, it's not mine...I hope to be able to exercise my license to drive, but it is subjected to my brother's approval...."-__-"

Saddest of my life

Most anniversaries are worth celebrating, but however, there is one which is dreaded. No prizes for guessing which one I was referring to if you know me well enough. haha...

Today marks my granny's first year of passing. Here is a poem dedicated to her.

Somewhere above you are
Shades of blue below we stay
Away from us we are far
Pain remain with us till this day

Eighty eight summers came and gone
Elegance and class you exude
Joy and happiness we got
Till the last day you elude
With grandpa dearest why must you?

One more day I ask
Not to be it seems
A minute I ask
Not to be it seems

A year came and gone
The day you left did not

Wrong Prediction

One of my French Open winner has gone awry! Serena Williams lost 4-6,4-6 to Katarina Srebotnik in the third round. Venus is gone too. Looks like my money is on Ana Ivanovic to win. Alize Cornet is a must watch cause she can give Sharapova a run for her money (looks-wise...but have to wait coz she has been eliminated too).

Happy Birthday

Thank you everyone who helped make my birthday and everyone's farewell dinner last night a blast. Had so many cakes, 4 in all. Tiramisu, texas sheet cake, peanut butter and pineapple chocolate...

Been through 2 cycles of the chinese zodiac cycle. It's so fast...But this day won't be as special anymore since last year...

French Open 2008

So delicious...Nadal takes a bite off his 2007 French Open Trophy...

Roland Garos, aka The French Open begins today, 25th May. Will it be him (above) again or will it be another him?Defending champion Rafael Nadal seeks his 4th consecutive French Open title while hot on his heels are Roger Federer and Djokovic.

Federer, arguably the best in his generation chases the only grand slam that has eluded him. He owns a remarkable 12 slams. Novak Djokovic seeks his 2nd grand slam title after winning in Australia in January.

On the ladies side, defending champion, Justine had retired. This has open up chances for a whole lot of people. Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, the William sisters and more. Sharapova has an outside chance and like Federer, seeks the only grand slam that has eluded her. She is but just 21!

My prediction: Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

Legoland - 19 May

Legoland

Food for the day...by bl

Mr Photographer...

A380...Largest commercial aircraft...SIA is the first to use them...

Real me with mini Nyhavn (CPH)...

Amalienborg Castle...Danish Royal Residence...

Mt Rushmore...

Shall find out what this is...

Statue of Liberty...

White house

underwater theme...

Pictures of Legoland...Nice place...but too expensive...worth the money? Maybe? Bought souvenir as usual...this time...40 pieces of lego...real cheap...got it @ 4.75DKK...it was 59.95DKK for 100g of Lego pieces...

Legoland @ Billund

Went to Legoland @ Billund on 19th May. It cost us a whopping 548DKK (>SGD150) just to get there. Entrance was a further 249DKK. The trip was not as exciting as I would like it to be becoz it was too expensive for the type of rides they offer. It was too kiddy…no death-defying rides…The closest was just a mere roller coaster and it isn’t even quite as scary! I could’ve fall aslp during the ride…Haha…Robotic arm was the best but it nearly cost me my aging MP3. It fell out of my jacket pocket as the twists and turns were so violent. Fortunately, it survived with a long hairline crack…ouch..

Testing

Testing testing 1,2,3...Is my blog post in Windings or issit not? Please do a kind thing by telling me...Thanking you...goodbye....

Justin Henin

The world bids farewell to Justin Henin from competitive tennis yesterday. Arguably the best player in her generation, Justin's sudden announcement of her retirement stunned the tennis world. More shocking is her decision to quit right when she is still ranked No.1 in the world. She follows her compatriot, fellow Belgian, Kim Clijsters in retiring at a young age. Kim Clijsters retired last year at 23 and Justin is only 25.

Having amassed a handsome sum of nearly USD20million, money is not an issue in retirement. I suspect she wants to follow Kim in settling down and doing things which she have never dreamt possible during her time in the tennis tour.

Her single-handed is second to none in the world, past or present, in my opinion. Graceful as it is, it is always delightful to watch especially when she rips one so hard and deep past opponents a foot or more taller than her. Small in size, she lacks nothing in stature.

Cold Weather ... again

Just when you thought summer is coming, winter comes back again. Off goes the berms and Hawaii polos. Back comes the woolen jackets and coats. It is 4 deg C in Denmark in mid-May! No kidding! It was 23 deg C just last week and now...Unpredictable weather...Anyway, highlight of the weekend was our completion of a report and cakes! Tiramisu, chocolate, yorkshire and cheese cakes.

Wimbledon

Real Trophies...

Miniature Trophies...

Sharapova's Shoes...read below...

Hugh serves...

Court 1...No centre court coz a retractable roof is being built...

Court 2...infamous for being graveyard of champions...

Ground works before the tournament begins...

Court 18...

Visited SW19 on Saturday while the rest went to see a soccer stadium. Being a soccer nuts, Wimbledon was an obvious alternative. Couldn't catch the centre court as a retractable was constructed. Was not quite pleased becoz we weren't allow to walk freely. Spent GBP 39 at the souvenir store buying nonsense...haha...mouse pads, cookies, giant tennis balls and keychains...nway...was quite an eye-opener nonetheless...Eating the Wimbledon cookies suddenly gave me an aura of tennis charm...haha...what nonsense again...