Archive for the 'thoughts' Category
November 6th, 2008 -- Posted in people |
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.
– Barack Obama
That was precisely what I, with many others in the world, feel America needs most at this time. These were the words spoken by Obama on Super Tuesday back in July, two months before the banking crisis. It was appropriate for the year when we witnessed many bubble bursts, signifying a warning sign the need for changes not just to U.S., but also to the rest of the world. Many old systems, like the deregulated financial/banking system, are in great need of reform. Hopefully some of the partial governmental interventions on the U.S. financial industry will somehow help to curb the crazy speculations in the markets.
Other than the reform on financial system, Obama made many promises that won him the Presidential Election, among which include the Medicare drug benefit program and environmental-friendly energy plans. There is even a $150 billion proposal over 10 years to speed the development of plug-in hybrid cars and “commercial-scale” renewables, such as wind and solar. Let’s see how these promises fall through. With the globally broadcasted American meda and the development of hybrid vehicles by major U.S. automobile manufacturers will help advocate a giant step forward of these hybrid vehicles to the world.
October 23rd, 2008 -- Posted in rants |
If life can be captured in a form of media, my life now is like a badly taken photo…
September 24th, 2008 -- Posted in people |
“Greed is such an effective killer” was my first thought when I first read the news. I could not believe anyone could actually add a toxic chemical into milk, the first and primary food source of infants and young children, for profits. Albeit accusations on the corporations involved in this scandal, I would put the blame only on greed, of either the farmer or the trader who sold the milk to Sanlu… whoever was responsible of adding the melamine in the first place.
There’s no excuse for doing such a thing. The only appropriate punishment for these unethical creeps is a taste of their own poison.
September 5th, 2008 -- Posted in rants |
When my work-life balance went haywire last year, so did my physical well-being. Prolonged spending of long hours at work made it hard for me to spare time for gym or any form of exercising. My IPPT results took a downslide, which was why I had to return for RT.
(For those who aren’t familiar with the abbreviations, IPPT stands for “Individual Physical Proficiency Test” and is an annual standard physical fitness test to gauge the basic physical fitness of an individual. It is compulsory for all able Singapore males. RT is the “Remedial Training” for those who did not manage to pass the IPPT for the year.)
So I started changing my lifestyle a little in March. I joined the gym, planned some cardio and weight training and watched my diet. I aimed to lower my BMI and build some strength. I targeted to pass the next IPPT.
After 6 months, it’s finally pays off!
I just took IPPT on Tuesday for RT Phase 1 and I passed. Not only did I clear everything, including the 2.4km run, I actually made it for a silver award!!! That’s $200 monetary award! YAY!!!
The real reward for me was not the silver award or the money, but the achievement for the efforts I have put in. It’s a good feeling when you see your hard work and perseverance pay off.
Coming up next (perhaps)... 1/2 marathons!
August 12th, 2008 -- Posted in rants |
It has been a busy week. We’ve just moved back to Singapore and now making preparation for Sunsun to stay at my dad’s house, so she’d have company while I travel for work. From next week on, I’d be flying to and fro KL every week… Flying to KL on Monday and back in Singapore on Friday. It will be more hectic but I know I’d manage.
It’s also a good chance to catch up with friends. I’ve not met up with many friends for a while now. This time, an ex-Gillette colleague just flew in town and there will be a gathering of ex-Gillette peeps this week. I can’t wait to catch up with them.
July 6th, 2008 -- Posted in cobie, rants |
Just got back in Singapore on Thursday and life felt like being hit on the restart button. It feels good to be home again.
After running a few errands on Friday morning, we spent the afternoon at VivoCity. Met up with Sam for a haircut. If you’re in Singapore and is adventurous for a funky hairstyle, look for him at Esprit Salon. Sam has been my only stylist for the past 5 years… except for the past year when he went back home to Kuching for an attempt at starting a business. He now back and he’s SNIPPING!!!
Cobie just had a small accident at home while playing in Annie’s room. He lost a claw on his left paw. Two days later, we noticed him limping and we found some infection on the paw where he lost the claw. Naughty Cobie!!! He must have been licking on the paw. Brought him to the vet and he’s got bandaged for the day before we put an Elizabethan collar on him.
My sister Jerrica is back from Perth! We had great time catching up. Last night, we even had dinner at 60s Live Seafood @ Fairways Drive.
It’s a nice open air restaurant nicely tucked away behind riding club, next to the Green Fairways Golf Course And Driving Range. Becky recommended the chilli crab and the BBQ crab. They’re FANTASTIC!!!
July 3rd, 2008 -- Posted in blogsphere |
A blogsphere cat fight just happened over the week between two well known Singapore bloggers, XiaXue (Wendy) and clapbangkiss (Dawn).
Yes, again… It’s not the first we’ve seen, but it’s different this time.
A legal lawsuit was used as a claw.
It started with Xiaxue posting a blog about how much she despises Dawn, and in the few things she pointed out to explain why she hates Dawn, she somewhat crossed the line between libel and opinion. When Dawn’s management agency (yes, both of them have their own agencies) noticed Xiaxue’s post, they contacted Xiaxue with a legal threat to delete the post.
OUCH!
Well, if you guessed right, the story doesn’t stop there. No drama ends abruptly.
Right on, girls! Drama is what blogsphere audiences love. Smart move to sprout some readership. Great marketing… wait… that’s what ‘blogging’ is about nowadays, isn’t it? The next furor of the entertainment world after reality TV… Reality Internet.
... next time, set up a confrontation in person and have another blogger videotape everything… for your fans. I’m sure they’d love it! It’s entertaining.
June 30th, 2008 -- Posted in note to self |
That’s what it is today. The last day of the first half 2008. It’s time for a half time reflection of what I’ve done so far…
NOTHING... that is.
I had a full year of plans when I began 2008, and was expecting the year to be more fruitful than the last. Turns out I have either not fulfilled or is forfeiting some of them. Along the way, I picked up new plans and stuck to the new plans instead.
E.g. I planned for us to have a baby this year. Looks like it’s not going to happen. Then sometime in March, I thought it might help both of us if we start going to the gym. Healthier parents will sprout healthier babies, no? This goal somehow coincides with my obligation to pass the annual post-NS (National Service) physical proficiency test. So in terms of this new goal, I’m somewhat 1/3 of my way to the target.
E.g. there were plans to restructure how the company works. Initial plan was that I’d head the administration while my GM will continue with his marketing and sales portion. Along the way, I realized we can’t really separate administration from the sales operation, in terms of leadership. Therefore, I let the GM assume his role as head of administration as well, while I will lead the administration through him.
Other than this, it’s also a big year. My dad is turning 60 and I’m still trying to reconcile the family back together. Hope his birthday bash in China next month, when all his kids will fly over to China, will help.
Keeping fingers crossed
__________
Just updated Sunsun’s page. Added some new pics.
June 29th, 2008 -- Posted in movies, rants |
We made plans to head for Urbanscapes 2008 on Saturday…
... but that plan DIDN’T HAPPEN!!! Wails~
Instead, we ended up heading home early after some long fruitless hours at the Zara sales and picking up some dinner. I figured it was probably a little late by the time we left KLCC.
So we got 5 movies to enjoy for the rest of the night…
Kung Fu Panda ... started off light with some funny animation.
Eastern Promises ... some serious shit. Not for the faint of heart. If you like to catch some bloody brutal violent Russian mafia shits with a lil bit of free-willie, you’d like this one. Starring Viggo Mortensen who played as Aragorn in LOTR.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead ... dark and twisty. Despite sad misfortunes backfiring some ill intentions, I enjoyed the wicked sense of humor.
The Spiderwick Chronicles ... light yet adventurous. I had this lil kink for faeries and orges, but this movie was rated “PG” so there was no naked faeries. Bummer!
The Ruins ... if you like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes crossed with Apocalypto, you might like this movie. Lots of blood and explicit scenes, but killer vines don’t seem to scare me a bit.
I know… that’s some weird combo. To be honest, I have no idea how we ended up with this combo of titles to such extremes, but overall it was a good mix of comedy and tragedy for one night.
Although… I did end up wishing I had some whiskey at 2am.
June 27th, 2008 -- Posted in note to self |
I am glad…
... I did my undergrad in Boston
... I can help my dad in his business
... I partied before I married
... I met and married my wife
Though sometimes I wish…
... I had taken the offer for architecture undergrad program
... I had a digital camera during my 5-year stay in U.S.
... I had been a better brother
... I knew about blogging much earlier
Have you ever thought how you valued each chapter of your life? Or how you categorized each choice you made or how they turned out? If not, you can do the same exercise like I just did to find out where. Simple… just name 4 or 5 things you’re glad you did, and then the same for what you wish you’ve done.
When you think about the items for each group, not only will you realize how far you have come, you will also know what else you’re missing. If exercised periodically, it serves as a re-assessment of the goals and even as a reminder of those you still want to achieve. Take a step back, and you may even get an answer of what really matters in your life.
Once you have a collection from different years, you may also find the changes in yourself… in your priorities and your goals. Five years ago, I would not have thought I’d get married. I wouldn’t have known I’d take over dad’s business. I was such a party animal! Five calendars replaced off the wall, I now prefer quiet Sundays at my home balcony.
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