Goodbye Duffill Watts !!

Last Friday was my last day @ Duffill Watts.



Bought somethings for the rest.



And here's a cake from the boss.



Last but not least, a farewell card wor ~ ~ ~

It was definitely a fulfilling experience working in Duffill Watts, new things were learnt and new friends were made.

Singapore Bay Run

Closing date for competitive categories soon, on 22nd July.

Sign up now !!

Me vs SAO Part 2 ! !

Forgot to post this the other time, ending the conversation i had with Ms Angela Shang.

She replied,

From: Shang Angela
Sent: Tue 7/10/2007 1:59 PM
To: #GOH ZHIXIANG#
Subject:
RE: looking for room in ntu

Much as I understand there are students like you who stay far away or don’t even have a home in Singapore (that is, international students), I don’t have the resources to help. What SAO would really help is to re-offer places as soon as they are not taken up. I assure you we would do so because we cannot afford to leave places idle since halls are self-financing centres.

Then i returned her mail,

-----Original Message-----
From: #GOH ZHIXIANG#
Sent: Tuesday, 10 July, 2007 2:13 PM
To: Shang Angela
Subject: RE: looking for room in ntu

Dear Ms Shang,

Yes, i have heard - foreign postgrads told to move out of NTU hostels - http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,134772,00.html

It sure dishearten me to see NTU appearing in the news for the wrong reasons.

And of course, i have been told before that "what SAO would really help is to re-offer places as soon as they are not taken up".

Since you are giving me the same reason, what more can i say but to wait and wait and wait.

Thanks.

Regards,
Goh Zhixiang

She shot back,

Zhixiang,

Just to clarify, the news that you referred to is regarding the Graduate Hall and not the undergraduates’ Halls of Residence. Nevertheless, the Graduate Hall is also facing a tight demand and supply situation. NTU will be building another Graduate Hall.

Angela Shang

And that's about it. Still no room, still waiting.

::ASES Summer Camp::

Organised by Huimin and friends.

Sounds good right??

For more info, email them, info@ases.org.sg

Nine Zero Zero Zero Zero Seconds ~ ~ ~

Counting down to end of IO.

Gosh this is just too exciting, waiting for 20-07-2007, 1700hr to arrive.

By then,

i don't have to squeeze with others in the bus in the AM.

i don't have to squeeze with others in the MRT train in the AM.

i can sleep till noon.

i can swim in the day.

i don't have to wear formal.

i don't have to act busy.

i don't have to face the computer screen for 8.5hrs.

i don't have to squeeze with others in the MRT train in the PM.

i don't have to squeeze with others in the bus in the PM.

*Tick *tock *tick *tock

Appreciate what we have

Sri Lanka: JVP wants LTTE defeated in the North

Wednesday, 18 July 2007

The Military achievements during the recent weeks including the capture of Thoppigala was lauded in parliament by JVP parliamentary Group leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday (17).
Making a special statement in parliament, the JVP parliamentarian said that the de-linking of the north-east merged under the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord in 1987 on a temporary basis was possible due to the JVP’s intervention which was completed by the heroic forces by capturing the entire east.

The MP said that the east was finally and completely liberated on July 11 for which the armed forces by capturing the entire east.The MP said that the east was finally and completely liberated on July 11 for which the armed forces made huge sacrifices."

It means that there one no LTTE camps anywhere in the eastern province. The troops have proved that they have what it takes," he said.Weerawansa critiqued these who have acted like prophets of doom calling the was un-winnable. "

This belief was market by the government, the opposition, NGOs and international agents.He noted that however, if the government used the victories for political expediency, and for the same purpose, the opposition undermined the successes, both parties were wrong.

He said that the LTTE had responded to the capture of Thoppigala by killing the Eastern Secretary, H M Herath Abeyweera which was proof of their hunt."What is how required is a programme that could reintroduce democracy to the areas and to ensure t he uplift of the people making Eastern Province their home," he added.

Urging that the LTTE be defeated in the North in a similar manner, the MP called upon the nation to celebrate the military successes by holding felicitation ceremonies.

Source: http://www.sibernews.com/news/sri-lanka/-200707189020/

It may look strange having this news in my blog, especially since when do i have anything to do with Sri Lanka.

But the thing is, the man who was killed was my colleague's father.

On Tuesday, she didn't come to work; we were told her father had passed away.

It was sad to hear this and normally, i would link the death with illness, accidents, etc

So, she rushed back to Sri Lanka immediately on that day.

But, it was only until today then did i realise that her father's death was not a normal case.

In Singapore, death would rarely be linked to gun shot as it is almost impossible for the commoners to own a gun.

Over here, we enjoy peace and stability.

Everybody has a stable job, a house to stay in, food to eat, TV to watch, malls to shop...

Let's appreciate and be thankful for the things that we have taken for granted and not complain and complain... ok?

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2007

The race of the year is back again for the sixth time !!

And yes, our beloved Adidas is the main sponsor once again. Woo hoo !!

Early Bird registration for the running event of the year begins from 16 July to 12 August.

Sign up now to enjoy special Early Bird rates!

And if you have the time, you can dropby the event launch on 23rd July 2007

Event Launch on 23 July 2007!

Look out for us at the Raffles Place Park from 12noon to 2pm (in front of the Caltex House) on Monday, 23 July 2007
as we officially launch the 2007 event!

Register on the spot at the event launch road show from 11am to 5pm, and check out the promotions and activities onsite.

"you live to challenge your limits, we give you the race of your life"

IO finishing soon.

Gosh, my ntu tutor came yesterday.

So, after a good talk with my company's supervisor and "interviewing" me, she collected my report. Before she left, she read my logbook.

Now it seems that i am 95% done with IO.

Just waiting for friday to come.

To be exact, Friday 20-07-2007, 1700hr

Hmmm, still have no ideas what to buy for my colleagues. *Headache*

Old Spore

How many landmarks can you identify from these photos ?

36 years of development has transformed our beloved Singapore into this:

What will Singapore be like 40 years
from now ?

Gosh, is Me against SAO once again.

It all started with this email. Note that this guy is Onn Zhi Xiang, not me. I am Goh Zhixiang.

----Original Message-----
From: #OON ZHI XIANG#
Posted At: Thursday, 05 July, 2007 11:08 PM
Posted To: Rent
Conversation: looking for room in ntu
Subject: looking for room in ntu


Hi there

I am looking for single room for rent in NTU

pls feel free to list out yr terms n conditions and get back to me

cheers!

Then, Angela Shang from SAO replied him,

From: Shang Angela
Posted At: Mon 7/9/2007 12:03 PM
To: Rent
Posted To: Rent
Conversation: looking for room in ntu
Subject: looking for room in ntu

Please do not post such notice to source for student rooms in halls. Tenancy is not transferable. Should any student be found to be an illegal occupant, Student Affairs Office/Hall Office will not hesitate to take serious action such as eviction of the rightful occupant from the hall and fine the illegal occupant a minimum of one weeks’ stay at $40 per day.



Please remove such notices from all folders you have posted immediately.

Angela Shang (Miss)
Deputy Director (Student Accommodation)
Student Affairs Office
Tel: 6790 5159
FAX: 6791 7801

I sent an email to Angela Shang,

-----Original Message-----
From: #GOH ZHIXIANG#
Sent: Tuesday, 10 July, 2007 9:01 AM
To: Shang Angela
Subject: RE: looking for room in ntu


Hi,

Have you ever wonder why such ads appeared here?

Would people resort to this method if there are enough hostel rooms?

By promoting legal squatting is not the solution; the original occupants would be disturbed more or less.

I know it is not your fault for the "wonderful" system but i am really disappointed by the response i have got from your department.

By now, you could have realised i am one of those on the waiting list, and yes, i am still waiting.



Regards,

Goh Zhixiang

She replied me,

From: Shang Angela
Sent: Tue 7/10/2007 10:47 AM
To: #GOH ZHIXIANG#
Subject: RE: looking for room in ntu

Zhixiang,

By doing what you have done, you are jeopardizing your own position as well as those who answer to your ad.

There will definitely be students who could not get accommodation in halls no matter what system is adopted since demand is always greater than supply.


Mistaking me for the other guy, i replied,

-----Original Message-----
From: #GOH ZHIXIANG#
Sent: Tuesday, 10 July, 2007 11:19 AM
To: Shang Angela
Subject: RE: looking for room in ntu



Dear Ms Shang,

If you don't mind, please take a closer look at the person who posted the ad in the folder.

He is Onn Zhi Xiang, i am Goh Zhixiang.

This is an unforgivable mistake that one can make.

I am not indicating that what Onn Zhi Xiang has done is the right thing but rather, i am trying to raise the point of solving the problem.

I agreed that no matter what system is adopt, there bound to be some problems. For this case, has plans for new hostels been discussed?

As more students are predicted for the next few years, is this "demand is always greater than supply" scenario going to repeat itself again and again?

I am not trying to challenge you but rather, trying to obtain more information to convince myself that NTU is sincerely looking into this problem.

Regards,

Goh Zhixiang


Realising her mistake,

From: Shang Angela
Sent: Tue 7/10/2007 12:22 PM
To: #GOH ZHIXIANG#
Subject: RE: looking for room in ntu


Dear Zhixiang,

Sorry, I did make a mistake in that. Unforgivable? You seem to support what Onn Zhi Xiang had done and I wish to point out that it would not be correct to solve the problem that way.

Certainly NTU has plans for building new halls but new halls cannot be built within a short span of time.


I replied once again,

Dear Ms Shang,

I do admit that 'unforgivable' is a too extreme a word, since to err is human nature.

As i have mentioned in my previous mail, i said, "I am not indicating that what Onn Zhi Xiang has done is the right thing but rather, i am trying to raise the point of solving the problem." Please don't put words into my mouth.

The reason that i replied your ad in the folder was to hope that you can understand students like me who are desperate for a room within the campus. In the coming semster, i will be going into my final year; i will definitely be busy with projects and reports. Staying at Tampines is certainly not going to reduce the burden and renting a room in the West is definitely too expensive.

I am glad that to hear that NTU has plans to build more halls but of course not within a short span of time. By the time they are built, i would have graduated.

Last but not least, I hope that you can view this issue from the point of a deputy director as well as from a student without hall.

Regards,
Goh Zhixiang

I'm not trying stir up trouble but rather, informing Ms Angela Shang that we all know that supply exceeded demand for the hostel rooms.

And i want to know what are the things that are being carried out to solve it.

Telling students that they can squat legally with their friends is not a long term solution. The original occupants might be derived of the convenience they should have and the squatter could find it "pai sei".

SOS Live Earth

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.

"I am really afraid that my children growing up being not able to see a blue sky or green grass... if i don't do something, who will?"

"If we protect the world, the world will protects us..."

Adidas Warehouse Sales !!!!

Impossible is Nothing !!

Good news to all who "prayed" to this motto, there's an ongoing Adidas Warehouse Sales from now till 8th July (sunday). Thanks to the HWZ forum for this info.

Do not missed this chance if you want to grab some bargains!!

Buses that will bring you there.

Pirated DVD Sniffer dogs?

Interesting piece of news that i wasn't aware of until my colleage told me about it. That explains what happened to the pirated dvds in Holiday Plaza... Hmmm...



March 21, 2007

'DVD dogs' sniff out 1m illegal discs in Johor

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S latest weapon in the fight against DVD pirates - a pair of labradors named Lucky and Flo - have sniffed out nearly RM10 million (S$4.37 million) in illegal discs in Johor Baru.The dogs helped uncover nearly one million DVDs and compact discs hidden in offices housed within JB's Holiday Plaza shopping mall.

After roaming the building, they drew officials' attention to locked doors on the sixth, ninth and 10th floors of the 18-storey building.Johor Domestic Trade Ministry enforcement chief Fahmi Kassim said the officials then broke the doors down with crowbars and found the discs. Five Malaysians and a Vietnamese man were arrested.

'We suspected there were pirated discs in the building, and sure enough, the operation proved to be very successful,' Mr Fahmi added.'The dogs were a big help.'

The black labradors are on loan to Malaysia for a month from the United States-based Motion Picture Association (MPA). The MPA says it is the first time dogs have been used to detect contraband discs.Lucky and Flo began work in Malaysia last week, sniffing out shipments at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The Johor operation was the first time they had worked in another area, said Mr Neil Gane, the MPA's Singapore-based senior director of operations.The dogs have been trained to detect polycarbonates - chemicals used in the disc manufacturing process.

The MPA, which includes Hollywood studios Warner Bros and Universal, estimates its members lost US$1.2 billion (S$1.83 billion) to movie pirates in the Asia-Pacific region last year.Malaysia is one of 36 countries on a US watch list of serious copyright violators.Officials say five million discs were seized in more than 2,000 raids in Malaysia last year, and 780 people arrested.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, BERNAMA






Then 1 day later...






Thursday March 22, 12:28 PM

Malaysian DVD pirates want sniffer dogs dead

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Reuters) - Malaysian movie pirates have put a bounty on the heads of two sniffer dogs who busted a fake DVD ring with a seizure of discs worth about $3 million, media and officials said on Thursday. Lucky and Flo, two female black Labradors deployed by Malaysian authorities in their crackdown on pirated movie DVDs and music CDs, carried out their first major successful operation in Johor state on Tuesday.

The New Straits Times said syndicate bosses had offered an unspecified reward for the killing of the two dogs. "As a result of the extent of loss to the pirate syndicate, we have information from the domestic trade ministry that the Johor syndicate is intent on killing Lucky and Flo," said Neil Gane, an official of the Motion Picture Association. "The Malaysian authorities are taking this threat seriously and the security around the dogs' current location has been beefed up," he told Reuters.

In Tuesday's raid, the two dogs helped seize a cache of around a million pirated game and movie discs in the southern city of Johor Baru, neighbouring Singapore. At least six people were arrested. The fake DVDs, replicating machines and other tools used to make and sell discs were hidden in concealed spaces and secret compartments spread over four floors of an office building. Malaysia, which figures on a U.S. watchlist on piracy, has dramatically stepped up efforts to rein in copyright pirates as it negotiates a free-trade pact with the United States.

The dogs are being given a month's trial by Malaysian officials in a joint effort with the Motion Picture Association, which groups six major Hollywood film companies. The dogs are trained to sit down when they smell plastic. Until now, the animals have been used mainly to check containers in cargo hangars.

Autobots! Transform and Rollout~!

Transformers deserved 4 stars out of 5 !!

So what if the storyline is weak ?

So what if the robots transformed too fast ?

The CG + sound + jokes (= Great Entertainment !!) saved the show.


Some quotes from the movie:

"we learn ur languauge thru the world wide web"

"Sam's Happy time"

"The parents are very irritating, shall I take them out?"


One thing that i can't understand: why is Starscream translated to 星星叫?

Despite that, i enjoyed the movie a lot; now i feel like watching it again !!

With the second part scheduled to be out in 2009, that is something we can all look out for !!

Re-CPR-ed

I retook my CPR last saturday @ Red Cross.

It cost me $80 but i think it was a good refresher course; especially since i am still a FT with E1. And of course, a young triathlete's death brought CPR into the limelight once again.

From wikipedia,

What is CPR ?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest.

What is the purpose of CPR ?

CPR is unlikely to restart the heart, but rather its purpose is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart, thereby delaying tissue death and extending the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage.

And here's a post that i discovered from the Straitstime Forum: Click here

Quoting a paragraph from the article :

"Having officials being trained in First Aid and CPR is insufficient. While I am confident that these officials have undergone their training successfully, I must highlight that performing CPR on a mannequin and performing CPR in a life-threatening situation is definitely different."



Indeed, this statement is very true. It is very different when one tries to perform CPR to a mannequin and to a real person. For first timer, trying to perform CPR on a real person, might get all tense up and forget the proper procedure. This is crucial, by compressing at the wrong part of the body other than the sternum, the victim might end up with other internal injuries.

But still, with the number of cases of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) going up, it will be beneficial for as many people as possible to take up CPR.

So next on my list, i will be doing my first aid course again in August. It costs $80 but i believe it will be worthy of my money.

How about you?

Singapore Red Cross website: http://www.redcross.org.sg/courses.htm

Fifth Week into IO.

Time really files.

All of a sudden, it has been 5 weeks since i started my industrial orientation. I must say, my boss is really a very nice person; he will go around the office greeting people, "Hi, how are you ?" or just simple, "Good morning!" He demands high standard from us but this is not without allowance for mistakes. We are all humans after all, no one is perfect. So, whether somebody made a mistake, he will point out the mistake and try to solve it. Of course, there are times when he got slightly angry; this is very very very rare.

He respects his workers and of course, this earned my respect for him. I remembered when i first met him for the interview. He told me that by having me in the company is actually a service back to the society, for students like me to experience the real working environment. Indeed, the company can still carry on their operation without me and the rest can just heck care me. But they didn't.

The others offered help when i needed them, guidance was given to me now and then. I must say, i have learnt quite a bit from them. Except the part about going home later than 5.30pm.

I mentioned before, the office will be filled with people before 8.30am everyday. Other than me and the secretary, the rest will be working at their desk when i reached. And then, when it was time to knock off at 5.30pm, the secretary was the first to leave, followed by me. I wonder what time will they stay until to. Very no life leh...

I wonder if i will become like that in the near future. Haiz, one more year to graduate, i am looking forward to it but at the same time, i really hope that it will come slowly...

Now, as the new sem approaches, there are many things to ensure.

1. I didn't get my choices from the first round of fyp. But, i have re-send another 3 choices for Dr Chiew to process. Hopefully, i will be able to get what i want then.

2. My schedules for next sem have been settled, hopefully i can get what i want.

3. I still don't have a hall at this point of time. SAO is screwed up !!

Sia lah... Sammi is soooooo hot ~~~

Gosh, guess Sammi is still HOT and popular after all!!!

All the tickets to her Genting concerts have been sold out.

None left for me.

Sad.

But nonetheless, we are still going to KL !!

So, is it going to be KL tower or Eye on Malaysia for us ? Or both ?

Hmmmmmm...

司琪姐大熱金句:「未登天子位，先置殺人刀」

SAmmi Show MI @ Genting !!

Exciting...

No Room No Honey

To "buy" a room in the hall
LIU JIANFENG

Conversation:
To "buy" a room in the hall

Hello everyone:This year I failed getting a room in NTU hostel. As I do not want to move out because of many inconveniences will be brought during my final year if so, I would like to find some guys who have successfully get a room to "buy" from you.Details are here:Firstly, I need to find two vacancies, one is male and the other is female. For any double room from hall 8 to 15, I would like to pay 200$ per month to you. For any single room in these halls, I would like to pay 240$ per month. I prefer getting rooms from hall 8 to 15. However, I will also think about other halls.Anyone who is interested in this please call 8113 8039. As I will be back to China during June 15th to July 12th, you guys please email me during this period.

Last last friday i received an email from Ng Bee Leng again. And she informed me about me not getting any rooms for my final year. Simply because i don't have enough points, judging from where i stay, i have 7 points but the minimum required is 14. I have heard that in some halls, even the friendly people from the JCRC didn't get their rooms. Isn't this system outrageous ?

Then, i happened to see the above email. A student from China without a room ?? Isn't that weird ?? Foreign students are guranteed a room isn't it ?? Strange... Just what's wrong with this new system ??

Gosh and exams results will be out on 8th June. Will i get flying colours or... ???

Blogging @ Cecil Street.

Notice i mentioned Cecil Street ??






Yes, if you have realised by now, i am blogging in office. Ha ha...


Boss has just left for a meeting at Novena, so he won't be back soon. Woo hooo ~ ~ ~


Anyway, there isn't alot of people in office today ; boss had encouraged most to take leave for today so that they can enjoy a longer holiday. Since yesterday was Vesak Day, by taking leave for today, they will get to R & R for 4 days. Shiok sia...


Yesterday, I slept throughout the whole day. I really enjoyed it since i have not been sleeping enough, or rather, i have not been sleeping well for the past few weeks.


I actually wanted to help Grace for her ATC, but i just got lazy. Sorry Grace !! I know it is not easy to organise an event and the more helpers there are, the better. So Pai sei ~ ~ ~


Hmmm... about the KL trip, we almost changed it completely to Sentosa coz after last Sunday's Luge & Skyride @ Sentosa, we were attracted to the new resort, Siloso Beach Resort. For islander's special rate, it is only $190 +++ per night. It will be a totally new sensation to stay in this new resort. Imagine... playing Vball anytime, leeching on Cafe Del Mar's music from our room... wa ha ha haa....

I ~ ~ ~ O ~ ~ ~

Gosh, it has been some times since i last posted anything here.

Well, i have started my IO, which means Industrial Orientation - a shorter version of Industrial Attachment (IA). My company is Duffill Watts Pte Ltd (DWPL), a transportation consultancy firm. We do things like assessing the impact of traffic when an area is undergoing development, solving congestion problems, reviewing road safety etc. From what i understand, for a transportation consultancy firm, DWPL is considered a big one with 12 staffs as compared to some with 3-4. I am really grateful to Ali, the manager of the company, who considered and accepted my application to do my IO in DWPL. It has been 2 weeks since i last started work and i must say i like it and yet, hate it at the same time.

Firstly, the office is at Cecil Street, near Tanjong Pagar MRT. It is a must for DWPL staffs to be in standard office wear, including me as well. The feeling is like going back to primary school, wearing uniform everyday. Then, being located in the CBD region simply means that there are lots of people working here. And indeed, during the AM & PK peak, there are so many people that we have to queue to use the escalator. Tsk tsk...

As i said earlier, there are 12 staffs in the company, 4 Sporeans, 2 New Zealanders, 2 Burmese, 1 Sri Lankan, 1 indian, 1 Chinese and 1 Indonesian. They are really a nice bunch of people who are willing to teach me things and guiding me along. However, they work too hard. Or rather, they don't have a choice. Office hours is from 8.30am to 5.30pm, other then me and the secretary, the rest almost started work from 8am and only finished at 6pm. For lunch, some even da-bao back to the office to eat. Kind of no life leh...

I enjoyed my lunch the most. Especially since there are many good food around. There's Amoy St Food Centre, Lau Pat Sat, and many small eating houses. Some are nice, some are cheap and nice. Amazing!! And the fact that, i am always on the look out of friends who are in the area, we can have lunch anytime together. Wa ha ha ha...

2 weeks had gone passed just like that, 8 more good weeks to come. And after that, i do hope to enjoy 2 weeks of holiday before school starts again for the final year.

Under the Sea ~ ~ ~

If my relatives from Hongkong didn't come to Singapore for a visit, i wouldn't have the chance to visit Underwater World!!

It was a "SUGOI" (Amazing, cool in Japanese) experience as there are plenty to see and touch. Yes, touch !! There's a pool where people can touch the animals in it, Stringrays included !!

Work @ Safra

I woke up at 6am on Wednesday coz i need to go work at Tampines Safra E1.

This is one of the reasons why I don't like morning shift. Some more, there are so many kids rushing to school, and the buses are just packed with them. tsk tsk ...

Anyway, I was supposed to end work at 6.30pm. But Dexter was late. He's the Operation Executive for E1.

Sulaiman couldn't find people to substitute so Dexter got no choice but to cover for him.

He called to say he will reach before 6.30pm. So i happily assumed he will be punctual. Then, he called to say he will be there before 7pm. Well, there was no sight of him at 7.05pm. So i waited patiently. Not that i want to make a big fuss out of this, but i was really tired.

Take note, i woke up at 6am and i am going to cover the AM shift the next day. I need my peace and quiet.

Eventually, he reached at 7.45pm in shorts and E1 polo tee. He looked kind of funny as he's too tall for such attire. Nonetheless, i showed him the things needed to be done and off i go. But of course, i do enjoy my work. And, i ate 2 days of buffet. Sinful...

Anyway, here's 2 movies goodies if you are a Safra member :

Goodie ONE, $4 for Fantastic Four : Rise of the Sliver Surfer Movie Pass



Movie passes will be available at all Safra Clubs from 14 May onwards. Max purchase of 4 movie passes per Safra member. While stock lasts!

Goodie TWO, Complimentary Tics For Harry Potter!!



As part of Safra's 35th Anniversary celebrations, each Safra member is entitled to a pair of tics. First come first served basis. [17 Jun, 10am - 2pm]

For more details, do refer to Safra's website.

I am not trying to promote Safra hor, just sharing good lobangs only !!

Spiderman 3 (失败的ｍａｎ) twiced ! !

1st May was the official day Spiderman 3 was launched. But i have a last paper the next day, so i couldn't catch it at the first minute. Well, caught it last saturday when we went over to JB. Gosh, crossing the causeway to JB on a saturday morning is definitely a different one compared to weekdays when the only people clearing the customs can be calculated with my fingers...

Took almost an hour to clear the customs but i have been thru worse situation where the queue extended beyond the glass door at JB. Right, so one of my motive going to JB is to catch the above mentioned movie. Got the tics but no good seats... so LL loh... I thought corner seats wouldn't be jialat... i was wrong... very wrong... In the end i have to tilt my head to one side for the whole 2.5 hours. tsk tsk... i guess that might be one reason why i didn't really enjoy the movie.



Well, so i decided to watch it again; since i had jio-ed my roomie, Wilson and Sam last week. One after another "disappear". No news from them... except for Wilson who agreed to watch with me. So there i go, watching it again. This time, with more comfortable and better seats, i enjoyed it more.

On the whole, the movie was ok only. Although some questions flashed thru my mind...

1. Whenever there's subtitles, i will tend to read them. For Spidery, i realised there are errors in the chinese subtitles, 我 became　握，　与　became　于. Why ??

2. Why is it that Peter's spider sense failed to work thru out the movie ?? Obvious scenario would be at the beginning of the movie when Harry attacked Peter from his back... What happen ah ?

3. Why is it that Harry only suffered a deformed face and yet Venom was blasted into pieces after coming in contact with the bomb ??

Well, seems like May is the season to cheer for movie goers !! Coz, after Spiderman 3, we have Pirates and Shrek coming to our little island...

Shrek ~~~


Welcome to Singapore ...

200 Pounds Beauty (미녀는 괴로워)

Alright i know this is kind of old but i would still like to mention this movie again!! Quite entertaining but then i still prefer "My Sassy Girl".

Yup yup yup, this is a Korean movie, a story about Hanna who is very very very overweight! But, she has a nice voice and can sing. And she became pretty after... I will not say out the whole story, if you are interested, just go and watch them at the cinemas. :)

Here are some of the songs from the movie, and they are all sang by the lead actress, Kim Ah Joong !! Very very nice !!

K书的季节

啊！！！！！！ 又是K书的季节 ！！！！！

考试从上个星期二已经开始了，一直考到五月二号。 算一算，还有十几天叻。


这是我在hall2里的桌子！不大不小刚刚好。就只差一架电脑。


厚厚的课本是从Lib2借来的。你也许不知道，南大生可以借十本书！！


当然，我的ZEN也不会离我太远。


K书又那里可以少了吃的呢！！！！！！！

话说回来，前些日子部长薪金的话题至今也算是告了一个段落。 其实我看喉，这只不过是新加坡政府自编自导的一部戏。 为了是要制造新闻并且引起国际社会的注意。

哪怕是拿石头砸自己的双脚，让他人演坏人。 之后，男主角出来说什么“我愿意把我加薪的一部份捐出来。可是他的演技烂透了，有用脑想一想的话就看得出他真正的目的。

好了，考完试后，我再做多一点的解释。

加油！！

PAY AND PAY !!

Woo hoo !! In the end, they still insisted to upz their salary. PM of Spore will then be earning 5 times more than the President of US. Gosh, the PM of Spore must be a really "VERY IMPORTANT PERSON". Hmmm.. i wonder who he is...

*cough**cough*

By the way, when has the government ever listened to the people. So, no matter what we said, they will listen and forget.

*tsk**tsk*

Actually, i am not against the increase in the salary if Spore has becomes a better place for you and me. If the poor are really being helped, if life is not that stress, maybe it will be more justifiable for the increase.

So, is the increase in GST to fund the increase in their salaries ?

And gosh, what's with the release of the economical figures today. What is the government trying to prove ??

That, we are really doing very well ?

That, they really deserved the increment ?

I used to dislike a very old man. Then after reading his book, some respect for him. Then after his "threats", i find him rather disgusting.

But, come to think of it. Is there a hidden agenda somewhere ?

What is this old man trying to do ?

Questions questions questions, so many questions but no answers. Who can help ah ?


EXAMS are really really really CLOSE !! 加油 desu !!

"Your security will be at risk and our women will become maids in other people's countries," he said.

"Your security will be at risk and our women will become maids in other people's countries,"

Is LKY threatening Singaporeans ???


Reuters says that they may give in to the pressure from the petition ( http://www.petitiononline.com/paypap1/petition.html and ), etc, so never write off the power of your voice!

=========Print this article Close this window

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong smiles as he speaks to Reuters on the sidelines of 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu in this file photo from January 14, 2007. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

Singapore ministers set for million-dollar pay hike
Thu Apr 5, 2007 2:51PM EDTBy Koh Gui Qing

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The salary of the prime minister of Singapore is more than three times that of U.S. President George Bush and about four times that of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But that is not enough.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong may soon be getting a hefty pay rise as part of a controversial ministerial salary hike that has infuriated many Singaporeans.

Lee, who is estimated to earn about S$2 million (669,265 pounds) per year, said last month that the salaries of Singapore ministers, top public officials and judges have fallen way below benchmark private sector salaries and may need to be doubled.

"It is critical for us to keep these salaries competitive, so as to be able to bring in a continuing flow of able and successful people," Lee said in a speech in March.

Lee said that Singapore ministers, who currently earn about S$1.2 million a year, should be earning S$2.2 million. Details of the new ministerial salaries will be announced in parliament on April 9.

Since 1994, the salaries of Singapore ministers have been set at two-thirds the median pay of the 48 best-paid bankers, lawyers, accountants, engineers, and executives in multi-nationals and manufacturing firms.

But the latest salary hike, which comes at a time when income disparity in Singapore is wider than ever, has sparked an outpour of unusually blunt criticism from Singaporeans.

Hundreds have signed an online petition and the readers' letter columns of the state-controlled newspapers -- one of the few outlets for dissenting views in the city-state -- have published a series of letters protesting the planned hike.

"GOVERNMENT ALWAYS WINS"

Some Singaporeans argue that the six lucrative professions on which ministers' salaries are based do not reflect the country's economy or the government's performance.

"No matter what happens to the economy, the government always wins because it takes only the best results," Jacob Tan said in a letter to the Straits Times.

And given that a 2 percentage point rise in sales tax from July will further hit the poor, some said the government plan is tactless.

"I am rather disappointed with the government's insensitivity," reader Vanessa Teo said.

But the sharpest criticism was online. The "awesome raise on top of their already obscene pay is completely unjustifiable," read an online petition that has gathered 304 signatures.

Given the rare public outcry, analysts said the government may now hesitate to raise salaries by the full S$1 million.

"I would be surprised if they implemented the full formula that would give them over S$2 million," said Garry Rodan, director of the Asia Research Centre at Murdoch University.

The government defends the high salaries as necessary to attract the brightest people and to prevent corruption.

"If we don't do that ... corruption will set in and we will become like many other countries," Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean was quoted as saying in the Straits Times last week.

Singapore government officials' salaries are set by different wage formulas, depending on their seniority. The figures are not readily available to the public, but the prime minister earned S$1.94 million in 2000, according to the Straits Times.

Ministers' wages were last raised in 2000, but were cut in 2001 and 2003 during the economic downturn, although the cuts have since been reversed, the Public Service Division said.

"ABLE GENERALS"

Some argue that Singapore ministers are not overpaid, but that ministers elsewhere are underpaid.

Singapore is an oasis of wealth, peace and law and order in a region rife with poverty, violence and corruption.

The island state is Asia's second-richest country after Japan, with a gross domestic product per capita of about $31,000 (15,695 pounds).

The World Economic Forum ranks Singapore as the fifth-most competitive of 125 economies in 2006, while Transparency International said the city-state was the fifth-most corruption-free nation out of 163. Isn't that worth a price?"

According to a Chinese proverb, an able general is worth more than 10,000 foot soldiers. So too is the worth of our leaders if they have the wisdom to help us weather global competition," reader Yik Keng Yeong said.

But critics say that the prosperity and security enjoyed by Singaporeans are not that different from other Asian first-world economies such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan, where government ministers do not command such high salaries.

Finland, for instance, beat Singapore in the WEF and Transparency International polls -- as second-most competitive and most corruption-free country -- but its Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen earns about a sixth of Lee's estimated salary.

What irks Singapore's opposition parties is that the million-dollar salaries are only accessible to members of Lee's ruling People's Action Party. Opposition politicians have been crippled by defamation lawsuits brought by government ministers and no opposition party has ever held a ministerial post.

The opposition also argues that a million-dollar pay hike is unwarranted for leaders of a country that has no legal minimum wage and where 20 percent of the population earns an average monthly salary of S$1,500.

But Lee Kuan Yew -- modern Singapore's first prime minister, who is still the leading voice in his son's cabinet -- will have none of it.

"The cure to all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government," Lee senior told the Straits Times on Thursday, adding that it is "absurd" for Singaporeans to quarrel about ministerial pay and warning that Singapore would suffer it the government could not pay competitive salaries.

"Your security will be at risk and our women will become maids in other people's countries," he said.

(Additional reporting by Sakari Suoninen in Helsinki, Isabel Reynolds in Tokyo, Joanne Allen in Washington)

End of March.

March is coming to an end and gosh, that's 25% of 2007 which is gone. Have you achieved what you have promised at the beginning of the year ? It is good to have goals as they act as the candles in the dark guiding you along. Without them, it will be harder to reach your targets as you might get distracted and eventually, give up. But even with these candles, you might still not achieve what you wanted to as you might have placed your candles at such a high point that they flicker so much and you lost your concentration. Well, there's no absolute in our world. I believe in that and i think there will always be solutions cater to problems.

Today, met Audrey and we talked about the different professionals. As an engineer, we were often taught that there is only one fixed answer for this particular question. And we have codes to follow, so there will only one standard answer. Arts students, on the other hand, think much more broadly as they need to be as creative as possible. Hence, there are lots of jokes about the different professionals, like Engineers VS Business men VS Scientists, etc.

Counting down, slightly more than 2 weeks to exams. Steven Goh, concentrate on the mugging !! Don't lose sight of your candle and lose your way.

Skeptical

From wiki :

Skeptical

an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object,
the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain, or
the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism that is characteristic of skeptics (Merriam–Webster).


Today, somebody talked to me about Amway. Ya, i know it is MLM but he insisted his group of people do it differently.

I already guessed that he might talked to me about MLM but i kept quiet, hoping to leech some info from him.

As he passed his name card to me, i noticed that he holds an executive appointment in a local hospital. So, what's the link ?? hmmm.. i also don't know.

Well, so i actually let him talked to me about how his system works. Ya da ya da... what he told me was things i heard and knew so 45 minutes of my life today was wasted just like that... tsk tsk...

But what amazed me was that he was an intelligent man and i seriously wonder why he would be doing this. I know some people succeeded in MLM but they are just a small group. I wonder what makes him so confident about his system, it doesn't seems to be different from the MLM system that i know of. I wonder...

As we finished our conversation, i observed that he approached a few others. So, i suppose that he is telling them about the "great biz plan" that he has. Seriously, i don't think i have the mood to think about this as exams are nearing. So i guess i will give it a miss.

Skeptical, that's how i felt lah... when uncertainties are around, it is hard to make decisions.

二 + 四

二 + 四

二十四岁了，又往前迈进一步。

所谓经一事，长一智，我多么希望是如此。

人生其实并不长，一眨眼，一秒种，一分钟就这样过去了。

无论是亲情，友情， 爱情，事业，梦想还是理想，我们都得好好的珍惜。

未来是一个迷，但是我很肯定的是，只要积极的面对它，未来将是美好的。

在此，我要感谢发送简讯以及打电话祝福我的朋友们，真的很感动！

谢谢 ！！！！！！