Memories

I finally understood what it meant.
Left only are memories...
1year later, 5 years later, 10years later, I hope these memories will remain as fresh as if they happened yesterday...

Sudden passing

I recently attended the wake of my JC classmate. She was 26. Life is fragile. Enough said. The night before, she was routinely having dinner and some drinks before retiring for the night. The next morning, she was gone. Sad...

Updates on recent BKK trip

Despite blogging for over 2 years, I am still quite uncertain what style of writing I should use. Sometimes I feel like I am having a monologue, other times narrative. Perhaps I should try point form!

1.Went on a vacation in late Aug. Destination was Bangkok.
2.Made 2 sets of shirts and pants at Amara Hotel in BKK.
3.Most annoying incident was a series of 1-hr delays (4 times) for our departure flight with a certain recently-listed airline.
4.Next most annoying incident was being conned by taxi-drivers in BKK who took us to this particularly pirated Sombondee seafood restaurant. It did not happen once, we were tricked on 2 of the 3 days that we were at BKK. (For this incident I cannot express myself well in point-form)

On our first night, we headed straight for this restaurant called Nan Xing in Chinatown. The cab driving told us that Chinatown was shut for cleaning. At first I thought we were just unlucky to have wanted to go to Chinatown on the particular day of the week which it was closed for cleaning (as informed by our cabby). We wanted to try our luck and insisted on heading there anyway. Cabby was reluctant and sneered! When our insistence overwhelmed his persuasive skills, he said the road leading to Chinatown was jammed and it was impossible to enter. We relented.

Plan B kicked in. Instead, we decided to head for this famous seafood restaurant, Somboondee. There were many outlets scattered around BKK. After picking a certain outlet that is nearest to our hotel, we duly informed our cabby. Like a possessed person, he sped off to a restaurant that had an neon-lit acrylic signboard that resembled Somboondee's logo. We checked the street name and it wasn't the one we had indicated. Being the ever cautious tourist, I took out the map (I was at the front passenger seat) and randomly picked one (next to a University). He insisted that this was the one. I was appalled! How could I have been so lucky to randomly pick the outlet that we were at! I checked the surrounding and there was no landmark or buildings or signages that resembled that of a Uni!

To confirm the cabby's directional acumen, I randomly chose another outlet and informed the cabby to take us there. He refused and even drove right into the front yard of that restaurant. Our suspicion went off the chart! That was it, we just wanted to get off his cab immediately. When we stepped off the cab, a few waiters rushed forward towards us with menus! Gross!

5.Went to a famous French restaurant and spent SGD75 each.
6.Visited Chatuchak weekend market. Got myself a few good deals.

Happy Birthday Singapore

Happy Birthday Singapore~

Watching NDP gives me goose bumps. It never fails to bring my mind to NDP 1997 where I was part of the combined schools' choir. It was bitter sweet memory as my involvement was not exactly voluntary. My school did not have enough students in the choir organization, hence they volunteered 50-60 other students. Initially it was tough as we had to memorized the lyrics of no less than 5 songs. What made it tougher was some of the songs were of foreign languages. However, looking back, it was quite a unique and privileged experience to be part of NDP.

Of the various segments of NDP, my favorite would be the march past and the military parade. I can only empathize with the marching contingents. The countless rehearsals under the brutal weather, it must have been extremely exhausting. However, I bet any negative thoughts any participants have initially would certainly be changed to that of pride and satisfaction once the event is over. More often than not, one has look at the positive side of things even in the most negative situations, only then will life be more bearable. haha

Back from Hiatus

At the risk of sleep deprivation, I have this itch to update my blog. For starters, I did not want to lose access to my blog. Kinda like Inception, where you are in a limbo. You are in it yet you cannot get out. Nvm, I did not get the story. It's one of the most mind-(vulgarity) movies. Luckily, I got myself some reprieve; fell asleep mid-way. I thought Sorcerer's Apprentice was better. Movie-watching should be a relaxed affair. If I was going to watch something really profound, I would have caught Atonement or The Beat That My Heart Skipped. Inception was kinda mid-way between classic and confusing.

Work's getting interesting. Certainly there are trivia things that just gets on your nerve. Life goes on though. On a sad note, just realized one of my ex-colleague's brother passed away in an accident. That's really tragic. A wife and a young kid left to fend for themselves. That just stinks.

Of late, there seems to be recurring issues with rain, drains, and trees. I suspect our ground is getting more impermeable with the train networks and all. Let's hope things improve. Rome wasn't built in a day just the same as drains don't get unclogged in one too.

On the international front, Spain has made it into the global sports spotlight again! In 2008, Spain produced the French Open, Wimbledon and European Championship winners. Fast forward two years, Spain produced the French Open, Wimbledon and World Cup Champions again. Viva Espanol~

Enough of my blabber....time to ZzzZzz

Check in

There is pretty much nothing to write about thesedays. I can start bitching about work but tt's just part of life. Everyone faces problems at work, so there's nothing really to talk about my work.

What I would like to talk about is the future! What lies ahead? People get older, RWS and MBS will celebrate their 1st anniversary, 10th then 20th then 50th. How do we stay young? It's about thinking young! Looking back, I guessed I have missed doing a thing or 2 when I was 'younger'.

Casino

I have visited the Casino. My first experience! Never been to Genting or Macau.
Blew $100 to enter, and blew another $100 to realize I am part of the 90% of the statistics who lose at gambling. Blew another $50+ on trying to win the $6mn and $10mn TOTO draws during the CNY period.

Looks like I have to keep my resignation letter and shelf my 'retirement' plans. I planned so nicely what I would do if I had struck $2mn!!! Dump $1.3mn in a nice condo and rent it out. $30k get a 2nd hand car (no investment value), $70k give family n friends, and $600k put in Suntec Reit stock. Dividends are about 10% per year based on current market value and 2009 dividends. That's a handsome $60k a year, rental collection of $40k (rental yield at 3,1%) a year --> $100k a year! Judging by my lifestyle, I can comfortably retire! haha Wishful thinking!~