This is one of the best birthdays I've ever had for years!
Not because today is a fulfilling day (it was rather boring fyi) but because all the happenings all around which made me super excited.
Firstly,
I AM WORKING FOR TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT!!!!! WOOHOO!!!
Secondly,
I APPLIED FOR SUMMER EXCHANGE AT BERKELEY!!!!
HELLO US IN SUMMER!!!
Thirdly,
MY NEW ROOM IS COMPLETE AS OF TODAY!!!!
And today marks the first day of staying in my own room for the rest of my days in this house. I love building Ikea furnitures!
The room itself deserves a post of its own, next post.
So what i did today:
10am: Visit Dentist Daniel Tan, my twin to complete scaling of my teeth
My teeth is completely clean today!!
12pm: Lunch at NUS with somebody
1pm: Comics@Library
3pm: Finishing the room.
Thats all for today. Nothing much fancy or anything.
The horoscopes are really accurate man! 24 is really a major revolution for me and i can feel more life changers coming.
This year is GOOOOOD! Happy birthday to me!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
2nd IPPT
every guy in uni or work cringe at the sound of the 4 letters.
I.P.P.T.
After training hard last year, I succumbed to flu and other illnesses this year and stopped training, not even once this year.
Nearing my birthday which falls next week, I booked a weekday slot just to test the waters and determine my standard.
Surprisingly, my SJB remained the same! that was my first station and it was a pass, so I breezed through the rest of the stations except running. It was quite a feat considered I was still coughing and having runny nose along the way.
then it was the 2.4km run. On the third round I was already out of breath and feeling terrible and I considered walking at the 5th round. I was left with 1.55 minutes for the last round and I was on the verge of puking already.
I never felt so terrible before, having running for your life and being sick at the same time. My lungs and the whole wind pipe was burning in hell flame and my concrete body resisted my leg movements. My stomach churned like a hurricane and the vomit was at the edge.
I told myself, I do not want to take this again and even if I took again my SBJ will not be so lucky. So I pushed everything aside, mind over body, neglecting the puking feeling and dashed for my life for the last few meters.
VOILA! PASSED BY 3 SECONDS.
$110 deposited in my bank account and I'm happy with that.
Lesson learnt: Don't take your IPPT at the last minute in case u fall sick. (like me)
I.P.P.T.
After training hard last year, I succumbed to flu and other illnesses this year and stopped training, not even once this year.
Nearing my birthday which falls next week, I booked a weekday slot just to test the waters and determine my standard.
Surprisingly, my SJB remained the same! that was my first station and it was a pass, so I breezed through the rest of the stations except running. It was quite a feat considered I was still coughing and having runny nose along the way.
then it was the 2.4km run. On the third round I was already out of breath and feeling terrible and I considered walking at the 5th round. I was left with 1.55 minutes for the last round and I was on the verge of puking already.
I never felt so terrible before, having running for your life and being sick at the same time. My lungs and the whole wind pipe was burning in hell flame and my concrete body resisted my leg movements. My stomach churned like a hurricane and the vomit was at the edge.
I told myself, I do not want to take this again and even if I took again my SBJ will not be so lucky. So I pushed everything aside, mind over body, neglecting the puking feeling and dashed for my life for the last few meters.
VOILA! PASSED BY 3 SECONDS.
$110 deposited in my bank account and I'm happy with that.
Lesson learnt: Don't take your IPPT at the last minute in case u fall sick. (like me)
Monday, January 17, 2011
straight train to NYC
I was on the underground train platform in Singapore and i can't believe my eyes when I saw the train route. There was a New York City station. I took the next train bound for NYC and after a few hours I was at the subway platform at New York City, clearing the customs and it was snowing and so cold!
I was so excited and thrilled that there is actually train from Singapore to New York and takes only 5 hours which costs around S$20+!!
I still can't believe it so i took the train back to Singapore to tell my other friends. On the way, I was wondering how they built the train system then somebody told me the train was underground so it can travel very quickly. I waited for my friends at the station and went to NYC again to play in the snow.
It was so convenient that I can just go to New York City anytime I want. Some of my friends rejected the idea because they are afraid of their english language and some of them thinks the train ticket is too expensive.
and then i suddenly woke up.
It is time for an overseas trip.
I was so excited and thrilled that there is actually train from Singapore to New York and takes only 5 hours which costs around S$20+!!
I still can't believe it so i took the train back to Singapore to tell my other friends. On the way, I was wondering how they built the train system then somebody told me the train was underground so it can travel very quickly. I waited for my friends at the station and went to NYC again to play in the snow.
It was so convenient that I can just go to New York City anytime I want. Some of my friends rejected the idea because they are afraid of their english language and some of them thinks the train ticket is too expensive.
and then i suddenly woke up.
It is time for an overseas trip.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
wall painting
Painting walls is not fun at all. I spent the last 2 days painting half of my room.
First 2 coats of white base, followed by 1 coat of white for white walls and 2 coats of blue for blue walls.
It involves a lot of ladder climbing, art work and detailed painting. I was so relieved it all turned out very nice and i was too lazy to do a wall painting of spidey which i intended to originally.
I was sick for the past week. Flu, throat inflammation, cough, blocked nose all attacked my body system simultaneously and i was hoping to get well naturally but it didn't happen. So i went to the doc's today to get some antibiotics, which had immediate effect so i could be well enough to train up for my ippt which expires next week. argh.
and the house is undergoing a revolution, everything is just so unsettled and temporary. Well i hope everything gets finalised and settled down before school starts, or latest by CNY.
First 2 coats of white base, followed by 1 coat of white for white walls and 2 coats of blue for blue walls.
It involves a lot of ladder climbing, art work and detailed painting. I was so relieved it all turned out very nice and i was too lazy to do a wall painting of spidey which i intended to originally.
I was sick for the past week. Flu, throat inflammation, cough, blocked nose all attacked my body system simultaneously and i was hoping to get well naturally but it didn't happen. So i went to the doc's today to get some antibiotics, which had immediate effect so i could be well enough to train up for my ippt which expires next week. argh.
and the house is undergoing a revolution, everything is just so unsettled and temporary. Well i hope everything gets finalised and settled down before school starts, or latest by CNY.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Furniture shopping
I took the car and spent the whole day furniture shopping all around Singapore for my room today.
I bought the paint, the bed and a rug eventually, confirmed an Ikea desk but I still can't decide on my wardrobe and book shelf.
Wardrobe - sliding doors or swing doors.
Sliding doors are much more expensive than swing doors, but saves more space and more stylish than swing doors, but swing doors fits more into my budget for a wardrobe!
Book shelf
I'm just having a flat desk for my table and keeping all my books and other stuff in the bookshelf, using them whenever needed. And I want to display my Legos and Gundams in the book shelf as well. Multi purpose as a display cabinet and for book storage.
Furniture in Singapore is really expensive and quality is not that fantastic either. Sighs. Its hard to find a satisfying furniture.
I bought the paint, the bed and a rug eventually, confirmed an Ikea desk but I still can't decide on my wardrobe and book shelf.
Wardrobe - sliding doors or swing doors.
Sliding doors are much more expensive than swing doors, but saves more space and more stylish than swing doors, but swing doors fits more into my budget for a wardrobe!
Book shelf
I'm just having a flat desk for my table and keeping all my books and other stuff in the bookshelf, using them whenever needed. And I want to display my Legos and Gundams in the book shelf as well. Multi purpose as a display cabinet and for book storage.
Furniture in Singapore is really expensive and quality is not that fantastic either. Sighs. Its hard to find a satisfying furniture.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
the two things i dun really like
1. How are you?
How do you answer this question when people asks you that? We were taught in primary school to answer "I am fine" in a robotic manner. After growing up, "good" in a robotic manner. It's just another political standard answer that lacks personal touches and emotions.
What do you expect people to answer when you asks this question? of course you will predict/expect them to answer "good" or "busy" and not "bad" right? Its like becoming another "I am fine"!
I know it's a politically correct standard question that will not go wrong anyhow but it really lacks sincerity. It clearly shows the laziness of the asker to remember the last talked topic with him/her or the effort to point down to certain subjects. Its okay if you rarely see the person, but its not if you work in the same floor and see the person at least twice a week.
Better suggestions:
Are you coping well with your new job/place/desk?
will I see you at the meeting?
so what are you eating for lunch later?
All in all, it is not a good question BUT it is the right question to ask when you meet people. Just like my next point.
2. Handshakes
Same as 'how are you', first times are okay, but subsequently... its seems a little insincere. Not to complain, but Lionel and I shook like so many times for my farewell I can't remember the number. It seems so weird coz we know each other so well and its still a handshake. Ya, I know there'r no other ways right, hugs are too er....
Better suggestion: ok i can't come out with one except hugs which seems inappropriate.
How do you answer this question when people asks you that? We were taught in primary school to answer "I am fine" in a robotic manner. After growing up, "good" in a robotic manner. It's just another political standard answer that lacks personal touches and emotions.
What do you expect people to answer when you asks this question? of course you will predict/expect them to answer "good" or "busy" and not "bad" right? Its like becoming another "I am fine"!
I know it's a politically correct standard question that will not go wrong anyhow but it really lacks sincerity. It clearly shows the laziness of the asker to remember the last talked topic with him/her or the effort to point down to certain subjects. Its okay if you rarely see the person, but its not if you work in the same floor and see the person at least twice a week.
Better suggestions:
Are you coping well with your new job/place/desk?
will I see you at the meeting?
so what are you eating for lunch later?
All in all, it is not a good question BUT it is the right question to ask when you meet people. Just like my next point.
2. Handshakes
Same as 'how are you', first times are okay, but subsequently... its seems a little insincere. Not to complain, but Lionel and I shook like so many times for my farewell I can't remember the number. It seems so weird coz we know each other so well and its still a handshake. Ya, I know there'r no other ways right, hugs are too er....
Better suggestion: ok i can't come out with one except hugs which seems inappropriate.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Internship
so.......... today was my last day of work.
Well, effectively second last coz I'm going back for a day in February.
Not as I expected, I was squeezed dry from morning to late. We were supposed to end by 4.30pm but I worked till 6pm. As a result I didn't do my proper farewells but hey, at least there's one more day in Feb. haha i doubt i'll do much also.
Concluding this internship, I was most fortunate to have the best supervisor an intern could have. We were comfortable and open with each other, although most of the time he does the talking.
I wasn't sad to leave my friends coz I know we will always hang out after that, but I will miss Lionel and his kids on his desktop. Every time I see their picture the world suddenly lights up. haha. No, I am not a paedophile like what my other intern friend call me, but Brandon (one of his kids) really resembles me when I was young! Another colleague commented that Lionel and I looked like each other again just now.
and of coz I'm happy to at least resemble my idol in looks.
Why is he my idol?
Good(rich) family background? he was sent to get a degree in US when he was young. Just imagine sending somebody to study in US in the 80s.
Check.
the brains? He finished his masters in Australia.
Check.
Fitness? Previously a national squash player, he gyms, runs and golfs often.
Check.
Looks? resembles me.
Check.
Character? Speaks really well, everyone loves him.
Check.
Financials? a few properties, 2 cars, promising career.
Check.
But too bad, girls.
He's happily married with 4 kids. (did i mention 2 twins?) and his wife is the homemaker. To me, he's a living example of my dream future.
Well, effectively second last coz I'm going back for a day in February.
Not as I expected, I was squeezed dry from morning to late. We were supposed to end by 4.30pm but I worked till 6pm. As a result I didn't do my proper farewells but hey, at least there's one more day in Feb. haha i doubt i'll do much also.
Concluding this internship, I was most fortunate to have the best supervisor an intern could have. We were comfortable and open with each other, although most of the time he does the talking.
I wasn't sad to leave my friends coz I know we will always hang out after that, but I will miss Lionel and his kids on his desktop. Every time I see their picture the world suddenly lights up. haha. No, I am not a paedophile like what my other intern friend call me, but Brandon (one of his kids) really resembles me when I was young! Another colleague commented that Lionel and I looked like each other again just now.
and of coz I'm happy to at least resemble my idol in looks.
Why is he my idol?
Good(rich) family background? he was sent to get a degree in US when he was young. Just imagine sending somebody to study in US in the 80s.
Check.
the brains? He finished his masters in Australia.
Check.
Fitness? Previously a national squash player, he gyms, runs and golfs often.
Check.
Looks? resembles me.
Check.
Character? Speaks really well, everyone loves him.
Check.
Financials? a few properties, 2 cars, promising career.
Check.
But too bad, girls.
He's happily married with 4 kids. (did i mention 2 twins?) and his wife is the homemaker. To me, he's a living example of my dream future.
I'm really inspired by him, the way he plans his time to balance work and life, and the way he uses words to smoothly transit from one topic to another without awkward silences. One thing is he's too business etiquette routined - a lot of handshakes and phrases that comes out of the ten year series book of business etiquette, and losing the personal touch or style.
I've also learnt A LOT about business reporting from him. He's really good in presentation notes and i'm good in generating the graphs so I helped him in most of his presentations. To be frank I think i'm quite careless in some of the work.
Anyway as reluctant as I am to check my results, I promised to update him about my grades so there is no way out. I haven't checked my results for a year now. Maybe I should get somebody to do it for me and i have a rough idea who to ask.
I guess since we are each other's first time (sounds wrong) er... I mean I'm his first intern and he's my first intern supervisor, the firsts are the hardest to forget so I'm very glad to keep in contact with him through coffee or whatever. OH I forgot about the Korean boss. He asks for dinner this Thursday which i don't know if he'll remember. But i'm sure he will forget about introducing his daughter to me. -_-
Until then, I might be organising some gathering.
Overall, it was the most enjoyable semester yet!
Work + fun + treats + idol + friends = Internship
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
depressed
First week of 2011 and i'm depressed already.
firstly, this:
It is seriously the best romantic comedy I saw although it left a very traumatic residue inside my heart and will stay there because there is no answer.
WHYYYYYYYYYY IS LIFE lIKE THATTTTTTTTTTTT
Its highly recommended for all young adults.
firstly, this:
It is seriously the best romantic comedy I saw although it left a very traumatic residue inside my heart and will stay there because there is no answer.
WHYYYYYYYYYY IS LIFE lIKE THATTTTTTTTTTTT
Its highly recommended for all young adults.
secondly, just as I am breezing through the handover Lionel dropped a bomb on me last minute and I have to implement a major change to one of my projects. I have to add another layer of hard effort before I leave. Not the kind of news i'd like to hear at this point of time and it doesn't help when the new guy has serious short term memory.
I am vexing over my supervisor farewell gift/card or whatever. or should i not?
I had my farewell lunch but it was on corporate credit.
I mean he's really nice and all but I'm slowly being replaced by the new guy and its not really necessary right... or maybe i don't weigh as heavy as i think.
hm... i have to do it by tmr.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
first 2 days of new year
On the first day of new year the first thing i did was to visit the hair dresser to trim my hair. and then it was steamboat with the usual gang at taka! yayness.
it was on the first day of 2011 that i discovered my new allergy to prawns when my nose started itching and rashes appearing on my face. I guess lesser crunchy and juicy seafood for me this year.
On the second day of new year I had a wonderful baking session.
5 items on the menu:
Chocolate banana muffins
Banana crepe
Chocolate Macarons
Egg custard tart
French apple cake
it was on the first day of 2011 that i discovered my new allergy to prawns when my nose started itching and rashes appearing on my face. I guess lesser crunchy and juicy seafood for me this year.
On the second day of new year I had a wonderful baking session.
5 items on the menu:
Chocolate banana muffins
Banana crepe
Chocolate Macarons
Egg custard tart
French apple cake
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Looking back 2010
Well first half 2010 is kinda boring, except for the beginning of the year.
January to May: School
Needless to say, totally loved the Osaka holiday which marks an enjoyable start to the year.
And more studying continues
I developed insomnia during exams
The cooking interest begins to unleash inside me.
May - July: Summer Holidays
Worked part time at HSBC and got to know more people
Experienced the Raffles place life
then something changed in between
Oh and superb Jay Chou's concert of the year
I also applied to Ford Japan for internship but they closed down my position because of bad debts
BUT I got accepted into ExxonMobil
July - December: Internship
Internship at ExxonMobil doing marketing with the best supervisor an intern can get
Nice working environment, culture and people including the korean boss who likes me a lot. Ha.
I met some nice fellow internship friends and bond quite well, considered I was the only guy in the interns corner.
I applied to INSTEP to exchange at Canada/Sweden but couldn't match my courses for next semester
But luckily there's still GSS UC Berkeley to fall back on.
More baking continues towards the end of the year when I was on leave, meetups, BBQs and dinners.
New friendship forged, old ones remained, some faded-certain reasons, but overall its all balanced.
Well I certainly hope 2011 packs many great stuff for me and a notch higher than the last!
January to May: School
Needless to say, totally loved the Osaka holiday which marks an enjoyable start to the year.
And more studying continues
I developed insomnia during exams
The cooking interest begins to unleash inside me.
May - July: Summer Holidays
Worked part time at HSBC and got to know more people
Experienced the Raffles place life
then something changed in between
Oh and superb Jay Chou's concert of the year
I also applied to Ford Japan for internship but they closed down my position because of bad debts
BUT I got accepted into ExxonMobil
July - December: Internship
Internship at ExxonMobil doing marketing with the best supervisor an intern can get
Nice working environment, culture and people including the korean boss who likes me a lot. Ha.
I met some nice fellow internship friends and bond quite well, considered I was the only guy in the interns corner.
I applied to INSTEP to exchange at Canada/Sweden but couldn't match my courses for next semester
But luckily there's still GSS UC Berkeley to fall back on.
More baking continues towards the end of the year when I was on leave, meetups, BBQs and dinners.
New friendship forged, old ones remained, some faded-certain reasons, but overall its all balanced.
Well I certainly hope 2011 packs many great stuff for me and a notch higher than the last!
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