From the small eyes of a small chinese boy

2008-01-02T01:10:00.000-08:00

8 REASONS TO STOP SUPPORTING MAN UTD

1) Ronaldo & Johnny Evans are rapists

2) Singapore Man Utd fans are all bandwagon fans who only want to support a winning team

3) Nani's real name is Punanai

4) Rio Ferdinand is on drugs

5) Only team in history to concede 6 goals against Southampton

6) Released an awful CD on which most of the players sang, was total shit.

7) Schmeichel's son doesn't even want to play for them

8) Their fanbase in Singapore increased by 14% after they won the treble...screw u guys!

2007-09-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN & WOMEN
*inspired by liong choon

Men: Pick out a shirt, try it on, ask how much is it, pay and leave
Women: Pick out 10 pieces of clothing, try all of them on, ask the price and leave without buying anything.

Men: Open the car door with due care not to damage the car beside
Women: Anyhow open the door, if it bangs someone else's car, its fate.

Men: We understand what we want
Women: They don't understand what they want and expect men to understand what they want

Men: Walk along a row of restaurants, look at the pictorials, check out the price and select the most worth it restarant.
Women: See the most expensive restaurant then walk in, since it must be the nices

What men do to relax: Watch soccer
What women do to relax: Wanting to have a heart to heart chat when a man is watching soccer

2007-08-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

RESPECT for F1 Drivers

Have you guys seen that advert where they say that a fighter pilots are subjected to 5 Gs of centrifugal force for 5 mins in a dogfight?

They then explain that an F1 Driver is subjected to 5 G for over an hour. Rather scary right? They also can lose half their weight in water during that period of time, so they gotta drink up.

Makes me recall the time i spent in a nissan skyline R34, which has a G meter to measure how many G's you pull when you're at a corner. Well I managed to pull 1 G, which i can frankly tell you, is already damn scary.

5G is like what you get on a roller coaster.......and imagine sitting on one for 1 hour..........RESPECT to F1 drivers.

2007-07-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

NEWCASTLE UTD & MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE COMING SEASON

Signings

Joey Barton- Good but volitile, I actually quite rate him as a player and he will add to the combative midfield. I predict he will get afew red cards (normal), and will probably get into a fight at training (normal). But he will be a good signing for us.

Mark Viduka- Despite looking abit clumsy, he actually has pretty nice footwork. He will score goals although I think his ability to hold up play will be vital. I've observed how Newcastle cannot sustain their attack because ever since Shearer retired, we have had problems keeping the ball in the last 1/3.

David Rozenhal- Ok, I've never really heard of this guy, but the defenders which Big Sam sign are normally quite good. If he plays like the way I see the bolton defenders play, then my heart will rest well every night.

Exits

Titus Bramble- Thank God he's gone, his reading of the game is terrible.

Scott Parker- Sad to see him go, he did well for us last season, but it's easy to stand out in a very very mediocre team. I think he is dispensible

Kieron Dyer (maybe)- Will be a very sad day for newcastle if he leaves, he is easily the team's most dynamic player and he has been at newcastle a very long time. I still remember his solo goal against Arsenal. If he leaves I hope Albert Luque steps up to the task, he's looked good in pre-season.

FINISH

Newcastle will probably finish 8th, they are still a team in transition and they need time.

2007-07-07T02:28:00.001-07:00

SICK & TIRED

Why is the world so full of uncooporative people? Why can't everyone just do their part to get something done. It's really beyond me why some people cannot work together properly to achieve a certain goal.

Sometimes they can't even help themselves. Everyone asks for help, everyone asks for favours. Why can't they just dig in their heels & do it themselves?

Why must we make life so damn difficult for each other?

So damn irritating...

I've freaking had it!

2007-06-05T01:22:00.001-07:00

If I could define sexy in two words, it would be "Kurara Chibana". Thank you Japan!

2007-06-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Remembering the carefree days in Perth

Yeah yeah, I know it's gonna be one of those nostalgic posts, actually one year down the road, I have gotten used to Singapore. Like how you get used to army in a very grudging way. I would love to visit Perth again year end actually, just have to see how it goes.

I wonder how much has changed since I've left.....

I wonder hows service at EJ.....

I wonder sometimes how nice it would be to experience winter again

I wonder what it was like to live a student's life, so relaxed...so damn carefree

I wonder why i used to think studying was tough, because it's really not...just a walk in the park

I wonder how lovely the company was..

I wonder why I left.....

Because........

she was worth it......

Even if everything else was shit...

But everything would have been perfect if she was there with me.

2007-05-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

One of those lil quizzes

Name: Christopher Lim

Age: 25 this year

Height: 172cm

Gender: Male, the last time i checked.

Eye colour: Black & white

Occupation: Subject to change in the near future.

Favourite food: hokkien mee, but cutting back on that

Favourite past-time: Driving at night, but not so much anymore. Now it's MAGIC

Most spoken words: "Huh? Did I do something wrong?"

Favourite person: My gf & my cats (although my cats aren't ppl)

Least favourite person: People who know me will know the answer to this. He tortures me regularly.

Pet Peeve: Singaporeans who have no manners, no social graces and have no regard for anyone apart from themselves in a public setting. Which is actually most of the population.

When was the last time you laughed so hard you teared: When PM Lee said that our Ministers are underpaid.

Biggest wish: perfect eyesight, which I'm gonna have after the 24 of MAY!

Biggest regret: Not realising that front-wheel drive cars CAN and WILL oversteer.

Biggest lie: I once told a fat guy that I used to be fat too, to encourage him to lose weight. The truth is, I have never been really fat. But it's a lie with good intention.

Biggest splurge: believe it or not, it was a new PS2 many years ago, cost me about 600bucks.

Most important thing you've learned this year: People who smile all the time are dangerous, I now refer to such people as "smiling tigers".

Least important lesson: Ass-kissing, I still won't do that, no matter what.

Current thoughts: Why is the govt so proud that we have uncles/aunties working until their 70s as cleaners and at mcdonalds? It's a big lie that these people want to work because they have nothing to do, they work because they have not enough to tide them till death. I wouldn't want to be working in my 70s so cut the crap.

2007-05-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

REVIEW OF THE EVO MR.

Borrowed Yingzi's Evo 1-2 weeks back and drove it for a total of four days. It was quite a rewarding & frustrating experience @ the same time. For awhile, I felt like I was back in Perth, where powerful cars were in abundance to drive. But here's my review anyway.

Pros

- Never driven a car easier to drive fast than an EVO. Whether it is in the rain or in the dry, you could corner with one hand without many problems.

-Room for passengers, hard to find a car that delivers this kind of performance whilst allowing you to accomodate your friends.

-Generous boot space.

-Nice gear box, the resistance of the shifting is just nice, its not too soft, neither is it too hard to shift, it's just right. The clutch is very responsive and the turbo delievers power more smoothly than previous versions.

-Nicely weighted steering, like the gear box, the resistance level is just nice for a car of this performance. Good brakes too.

Cons

-A camel in the Sahara drinks less, if you have a heavy right foot, expect to use at least $100, every 4-5 days for petrol, probably more.

-It is damn uncomfortable, the suspension is obviously set up for racing, so you can feel every single thing on the road. Not recommended for people 40 and above. It's even worse for passengers, so I don't think your grandma will like it.

-Cabin noise is unbearable even when you try to cruise. Even at low speeds, there is an everpresent bass which gives you a big headache. The car isn't really meant to be driven slowly.

-While the clutch is responsive, it is also very aggressive, its possible to move off without a slight jerk but you would really have to concentrate, esp in stop-start traffic.

-Almost certain to get stopped at any roadblock.

-Silly wing behind the car obstructs vision and it's not necessary at all.

-Majority of people in Singapore do not know what a turbo timer is, so you have to explain 20 times a day that you DIDN'T FORGET TO SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE.

-Interior is still shit, like every other EVO before it. the STI interior is much nicer.

-Image of the car is not very good and it reflects like-wise on the person driving it. Not as desirable as you think either, most ppl don't give it a 2nd look and only purists would know the difference between an MR and a normal version.

VERDICT

I would drive one in Perth because of the nice open roads with little congestion. Also they have tracks where you could go to use the car the way it was meant to be used. Most people there drive as well, so you don't have to worry about passengers. Fuel is still expensive but bearing in mind the car would cost you half as much in Perth, that's a fair trade off.

In Singapore it would never be my first car and maybe not even my 2nd. Its too hard, loud, uncomfortable, thirsty for roads here. Insurance companies charge a premium the moment they hear "EVO". Driving a manual car in a traffic jam is inconvenient, although i have no qualms doing so. Most critically, you never feel at ease speeding here: No one sticks to their lanes, moron taxis stop without a whim, old people cross the road like every car has brembo brakes.

The only alternative to speeding illegally is to go to Malaysia, which is a relatively safe place as opposed to IRAQ or a Silkair 747. For that, I'm sorry....I'd love to drive the car on Sunday, but I'd hate to own one everyday

2007-05-16T02:27:00.000-07:00

WHO WANTS WORLD PEACE??

2007-05-16T02:20:00.000-07:00

WHEN WAR COMES TO MEN, EVEN CATS MUST PREPARE THEMSELVES

2007-05-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

THE BATTLE WITHIN

Sometimes in life, you meet people who make you feel useless. They make you feel like you're worthless and that you're thrash. Damn sad that there are so many people like that in the world, probably is a vicious cycle, and these people were probably made to feel like thrash at one point of their lives. So now, they have to do onto others, what was done onto them.

People who do things like this are thrash themselves, they were tortured themselves, so now they have to torture other people. It's best to stay positive, never ever think/feel that you are useless. YOU ARE NOT...

I ain't selling my soul to you man, you don't own me.

2007-05-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

SO MANY CAR CRASHES.

I'm sure you've read in the papers about all the fatalities/accidents that have occured recently. My condolences to all the victims. First a car crashed into a bus-stop (toyota Vios), injuring a couple of people. Next another guy totalled four cars in a HDB carpark, he was not driving a sports car. In both cases, both drivers had consumed alchohol.

Now because of these two spoilers, it has sparked a knee-jerk reaction from the Govt, who have resorted to hiding speed cameras in trash bins to catch people who speed. Its quite important to note that both these drivers were NOT speeding, rather they were intoxicated.

Much has been made of all these turbocharged monsters, flouting of speed limits. It's abit over-cooked to be honest. Firstly, you don't need to drive a turbocharged monster to do 120km/h, you can kill someone by hitting him with a scooter. Secondly, speeding & excessive speeding are totally different, the speed limit on bukit timah is 70km/h, which is pathetic for a 3 lane road, who won't speed?

It really depends on the person, anyone can speed. Drink driving is definately bad, there is no excuse for that, maybe one or two beers are fine, but that's it. End of story.

Tonight, i'm exchanging my car for my friend's EVO MR, which i can aptly describe as "shamelessly aggressive". It's not a big deal to me because I've driven cars like these many many times. I was driving a sports car in perth for 3 years and I've never been done in for speeding, its about discipline man.

2007-05-03T00:35:00.000-07:00

Why is money so valuable.

Money is just some ink, printed on some paper. Worthless to anything but humans. But you can exchange money for practically anything you desire. Food, drink, accomodation and a whole host of other wants.

The desperately poor man is unhappy because he lacks the basic things. He doesn't have enough food, water and he doesn't have a proper place to stay.

The filthy rich man is unhappy because he lacks the things money can't buy. Like time, love, personal fulfilment, freedom...etc.

Taking into account that we all die and are unable to bring anything with us to wherever we're going....how valuable is money?

2007-05-02T02:09:00.001-07:00

LAST NIGHT..I caught SPIDERMAN 3 with the GF...

Was friggin fantastic man! Much better than the previous two...2 and a half hours too.

After the show, as it was quite late, I was speeding abit in an effort to catch some zzz's. Guess wat happened man. Going at 120km/h, I hit a huge moth and it hit my windscreen at such force it splattered white stuff all over the windscreen!!

OMG!! I got such a frigging shock!! The GF was totally disgusted too man. In an effort to get rid of all the white stuff i turned on the water and wipers..and guess wat. It smeared white stuff all over the windscreen and blurred the glass!

And the moth wasn't dead...it just lay on the glass. It was frigging huge. So finally after i sent the GF home, she took two sticks and dragged the moth off my car. She also shed afew tears because she felt bad for it.

I on the other hand, was more concerned the mess it created on my car. Anyway I once saw pictures of a porsche when a bird hit the windscreen at 200km/h. The windscreen shattered inwards, the bird totally disintigrated and there was nothing left of the bird!

I'm serious! only blood and feathers were splattered all over the interior of the car. That has to be the most suay driver ever...

2007-05-02T02:09:00.000-07:00

2007-04-26T23:50:00.000-07:00

Came across a teacher's blog

Well basically, the teacher was writing about his schedule from 7.30am up till 5pm, after which he mentions that he has to bring work home to finish up. How he is overwhelmed and doesn't even have time to go to the bank.

This is quite a highly controversial issue actually, teachers feel they are overworked & underpaid. While most teachers can concur with each other on this point, most people of other professions are quite unsympathetic.

A few things for sure.

1) People join teaching to teach, not attend bo liao meetings and do extra-curricular things unrelated to teaching.

2) Many many scripts to read and mark.

3) Put up with unreasonable students & sometimes their parents

4) Long hours...still must bring home work to do....sian

5) Hard to take leave, hard to leave sch during lunch hour to settle personal things.

Of coz, alot of people would point out that they go thru the same things

1) Have to do stupid things like organise company dinner & dance, office parties, occasionally have to do delivery as a dispatch. Basically do things they weren't employed to do.

2) Alot of paper work to go through and boss is never around to get his authorisation for pressing issues.

3) Put up with unreasonable clients, bosses & colleagues.

4) Long hours and still must bring home things to do

5) If got things to do, got MC also must come back. Take leave also hard to get it approved.

So how to compare?? Quite similar actually.

2007-04-24T01:25:00.000-07:00

FINALLY...

GOING FOR LASIC..I have dreamed of this moment since the day i started wearing glasses. Want to kiss goodbye to glasses & contacts =)

2007-04-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well, if it's war you want, then so be it.

I see what you're trying to do, I'm not born yesterday. Your lies tell the story that I can't do it, but you don't want me to do it, you don't want me to know how.

You are a coward. My capabilities are irrelevant, your predjudice will precide over any shred of common sense you are supposed to have.

So don't be too shocked, I'm going to start standing up for myself.

2007-04-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

I wanna be cyril!! I wanna be cyril!! I wanna be cyril!!

If I have a son in the future, I am going to name him Cyril!

Mr Takayama, teach me how to produce coins from nowhere!!

Teach me how to throw a card thru a window!!!

2007-04-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

FLU

Been down with the flu over the last few days. It has really sapped my energy dry, and my poor dear has had to put up with my moodiness. Heh, thx dear.

Anyway, things are looking up at work. Its like, I haven't been scolded for quite sometime, so it means I've been doing something right.

My magic hobby has burnt a big hole in my pocket, so I've decided to just practise with what I have in the meantime. OHHH I WANNA BE CYRIL TAKAYAMA!!!! I wanna go to macdonalds and pull a burger out of the menu or go to Lacoste and make a real crocodile appear!!! I wanna smash a coin into a beer bottle without damaging the bottle.

OHHHHHHH Plssss mr takayama!!! take me in as your student!!

2007-03-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

Three things that scare me
* obligations
* aging & dying alone
* angry women

Three people who make me laugh
* My gf
* myself sometimes
* Anyone

Three things I love
* Cars
* Magic
* Gf

Three things I hate
* rushing
* bossy people
* Not getting enough sleep

Three things I don't understand
* women
* office politics
* George Bush

Three things on my desk
* Stationary
* Laptop
* My head, ususally buried in my hands.

Three things I'm doing right now
* Slacking
* thinking what to have for dinner
* procrastinating on critically more important matters

Three things I want to do before I die
* travel the world and the seven seas
* Own a ferrari
* Experience happiness

Three things I can do
* sleep alot
* eat alot
* complain alot

Three things you should listen to
* intelligent words
* different opinions
* anything thought-provoking

Three things you should never listen to
* senseless yabbers
* Lim Bijia
* naysayers - most of the time

Three things I'd like to learn
* Magic
* Track driving
* Understanding women

Three favorite foods
* hokkien mee
* char kuay tiao
* laksa..

Three beverages I drink regularly
* ice tea
* ice milo
* water

Three TV shows/books I watched/read as a kid
* M.A.S.K.
* Transformers
* TMNT

2007-03-05T18:24:00.000-08:00

"Try harder lah, I don't understand why you do things this way"

"You damn stupid leh, come out from university still cannot think"

"Remember to ask around if you're not sure, not sure must ask"

"Why I ask you to do things you must ask others for advice? CANNOT THINK FOR YOURSELF"

"Now you are not at the level where you can make decisions"

"Why can't you decide this kind of thing by yourself?"

"It's nothing personal, I'm not trying to tekan you...REALLY...i'm testing your character"

2007-03-05T01:31:00.000-08:00

When I ask, I irritate you
When I don't ask, I have no initiative

When I do, you say lousy
When I not sure, I'm being lazy

When I take initiative, I am trying to act smart
When I wait, I'm not interested

When I'm not sure you say ask, but when i ask you say I dunno how to rely on myself
When I don't ask and try to figure out, i'm unproductive

If I screw up, you scold me.
If I do well, you ask if I did it myself

When I explain myself, I am arguing
If I keep quiet, I'm admitting liability

Everything also wrong. Feel like dying.

"Why do people take drugs? Is it because of the emptiness inside? So I wonder, which is scarier? Drugs or emptiness"

"If you have money, you also need to live life to spend it."

"If happiness is money, and money is happiness. Then I have very little of both. If happiness is finding joy in what you do. Then I have nothing at all."

2007-02-27T17:37:00.000-08:00

Back In Singapore

Had a really enjoyable 7 days in Perth, it was so blissfully relaxing. Never felt so at ease in the six months I was in Singapore. Would like to thank all the Perth peeps who spent time to catch up with me and come for my convo even though you guys were busy. Really happy.

Re-lived so many freaking memories & although people have came and left, I still love Perth and it will always have a special place in my heart. The next time I visit, I fear it will not be so soon, at least one year.

My brotherhood jack/ben/terry/benson..........hope we can one day catch up together, all of us, and relive some of our hilarious memories.

To the rest of the ppl in Perth, take care and God bless.

Chris

2007-02-07T01:34:00.000-08:00

MORE ARMY TERMS

Lam Pah Pah Lan - LPPL simply means bo pian or "can't do shit about it". It is used typically when something goes wrong or when some troublesome duty befalls a soldier, which is beyond his control. (e.g "Sian man, june got exercise again, got to sleep in the jungle and face mosquitoes, wat to do? LPPL lah"). Also try "bo pian lan lan","lan lan" or "suck thumb"

Mai zou mai zou, ai zou, zuo swee swee - Roughly means that if you don't wanna do it, then don't do it, but if you wanna do it, do it good.

Lan Jiao Bin - Used to describe someone whose face is irritating to all. Literally it means "Dick-face"

Xiam arrow - If a soldier succesfully avoids a duty/responsibility/task, it means he managed to xiam the arrow

Ninja van - A van selling delicious snacks and tidbits, which miraculously appears in jungle training areas.

Poke Backside - Ambush an enemy from behind.

White horse - This means the soldier is the son of a big shot. (minister/high ranking officer/ Judge)

Ka-pong - This is a term for the LAW tube (light anti-tank weapon). Ka-pong came about because everytime a soldier carrying the LAW goes to ground quickly. The LAW will hit his helmet and make a 'ka pong' sound.

Cum-lan-do - A nickname for commandoes, invented by guardsmen

Half-fuck commando - A nickname for guardsmen, invented by commandoes to denote their lower status in the SAF hierachy.

2007-01-11T22:22:00.000-08:00

HI FRIENDS DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE SHORT-FORMS MEAN? (well done if you can get all of them)

1) CPF

2) HDB

3) SLA

4) PUB

5) SSC

6) UOB

7) KJE

8) SLE

9) ORD

10) LTA

11) ERP

12) SWP

2007-01-10T21:56:00.001-08:00

I watched 'Girls out loud' afew days back and it was really funny.

It was funny Singaporeans didn't know what MRT, PIE, AYE were. Among the answers MRT stands for " errr Mono-rail train", Mobile Rapid Train, Mass Rapid Train.

For PIE one student replied "PIE lor, apple pie", one guy said "Pacific Island Expressway!!!"

Most people were stumped by AYE.

And they even had a segment on how Singaporean men propose to their gfs. One man quipped " I will just ask her if she wants to buy a flat, 5 room, 4 room and 3 room, also must ask if want new or resale." LOL super funny. Although I think it's unromantic to propose in such a manner, it isn't exactly illogical either.

The last nerdy guy on the show was persauded not to propose in such a manner, instead they made him get a ring, go onstage and sing a song for his gf. It was a nice touch. But they would have to settle the HDB part later anyway.

2007-01-10T21:56:00.000-08:00

2007-01-08T00:27:00.000-08:00

ARMY sterotypes and terms

Sotong /blur king- Typically a soldier who is unable to comprehend instructions and has limited mental capacity. Often makes a hash of his designated responsibilities. Under pressure, he is unable to function to the best of his abilities and is often left with his mouth gaping, as he anticipates a scolding from his sergeant.

Champion- The biggest blur king / sotong in the platoon. 'Champion' is a derogatory title sarcastically denoting a person as the worst of the lot. Being called a 'Champion' is NOT a good thing and is not to be confused with its real meaning.

Siao on Kia- A person of this type is highly likely to sign on although some NSF often qualifty for this tag. A siao on kia usually echos commands the loudest and is the first to take action whenever leadership is required. He is the sergeant's favourite pet and his unspoken status often leads to jealousy among his peers.

Wayang- A wayang on the surface, has many traits similar to a siao on kia. However, he only works hard when the superiors are watching. Under normal circumstances, he can be known to be a lazy bum. Superiors often have trouble distinguishing the Siao ons from the Wayangs and many wayangs are often able to make it to OCS, making OCS lose credibility among other soldiers.

Chao Keng Kia- A chao keng kia has no interest in the army whatsoever, his greatest wish is to become a clerk with regular office hours and no physical activities. A CCK will find any excuse to report sick or injured. He will take advantage of any medical condition to book out from camp. Once outside of camp however, they have been known to exhibit more than capable physical capailities in sports. Deep in every NSF's heart, they wish to be a CCK.

Condemmned- A Chao Keng Kia who is injured or sick so often that everyone believes he is faking. He has little friends, and if he does, they are all of the same type.

Sandwich situation- Typically denotes a situation for sergeants. The men for some reason are unable to work or maybe even not willing. The officers exert downward pressure on the sergeants to control their subordinates. Bearing the brunt at both ends has come to be called a sandwich situation. See also 'shit-rolls-downwards' syndrome.

Russo Sen Ja ta (not sure if correct spelling)- A malay command to raise and shoulder your rifle. However, soldiers have been known to jokingly shout this command whenever a woman walks past. Thus 'Russo sen ja ta' also means having an erection / hard-on

Du lang Sen Ja ta (not sure if correct spelling)- A malay command to lower your rifle. Soldiers have been known to shout this command when an extremely unattractive lady walks past, (ie. Canteen Auntie)

My wife- often refers to ones' rifle instead of the literal meaning. It came about because a rifle is supposed to follow the soldier around wherever he goes. This is impossible for a real wife to do in real life.

"Go eat Thai Chicken Rice"- Which is also a coded meaning for "i'm going to look for a thai prostitute"

"Sad Sob Story"- Or called called SSS, which is a term for a situation when a girlfriend leaves her boyfriend whilst he is still serving

2007-01-02T19:05:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

So exciting.. it's 2007 already and all those who are born in 1982, we are 25 this year! Well 'n' truly independant adults by this stage. I worked on new year's eve for like more than 15 hours, but I feel quite ok about it, I mean work is work right?

So many of my friends are getting ready to buy new flats and start new homes and I'm quite excited for them, it's really the next stage of life. Hmm, my hopes and dreams for the new year. I hope it will be a better year for me in terms of my work (Oh yes for the love of God), my r/s and controlling my expenditure.

For Dex, LC, LK.....wah you guys are really getting old man, before you know it, you'll hit the big three-zero. I have just planned to return to Perth on the 19th of feb till the 27th for my convo and a short holiday. I really really can't wait man. To slow my pace down to the perth enviroment, even for one week, will be heaven.

Lastly, lest we forget, there are still a large number of poor people in Singapore who have little hopes and dreams for the new year. Walking through orchard yesterday I saw all the poor/disabled people selling tissues and playing instruments to make ends meet. These are just some of the faceless people we've grown so accustomed to seeing. For every one of these people we see, just show a simple act of kindness, for it is the new year.

2006-12-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

The guide to a better life in Singapore.

A lot of people have spoken of "consumerism culture". It is a culture that makes people want to get items to satisfy their wants/ego/status quo. A man in his late 30s said that " Many years ago when my salary was $2000, I wanted an alpha numeric pager, which was quite cool back then. When my salary increased to $3000, I wanted the latest mobile phone, there was no end to it."

In Singapore, you will see people in their teens comparing their latest bags, handphones, shoes, clothes or electronic gadgets like ipods. You see young and successful executives/managers comparing their cars, like their lexus, bmws or mercs. You see uber rich people comparing their huge bungelows. I too, was once part of a teenage consumerism culture, in secondary school, I desperately craved for a pager when I had no need for one. Such was the importance of being "in" with my peers.

True, sometimes you get the feeling that the Govt doesn't allow you to live below your means (i.e income ceilings for HDBs), but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. When your kids are young, it is of the utmost importance to inculcate into them the values of being frugal and how image is nothing but a facade which the human race, driven by material acqusition, invented.

Having spare cash on your hands is always a good feeling, it provides security, comfort and it acts as a buffer, to ensure you survive in the event of a calamity. If you've lived most of your life without needing a certain item, chances are, you probably don't need it. If you've lived your life with certain items, chances are, you'd be hard pressed to do without it. It's all in your mind.

Forget the gucci, DKNY and armanis. Forget the porsches, ferraris and lambos. Forget the lame stigma of public housing, cause there isn't anything wrong with public housing. Relieve yourself of the pressure bestowed onto you from your parents' successes. You will always be you and you are unique in your own way.

May God be with you. =)

2006-12-25T18:55:00.000-08:00

MERRY X'MAS to ALL.

It was great catching up with so many of you all during the festive period, especially for those THAT I haven't seen in awhile (Perth Peeps).

Thank you all for the cards and presents, sad to say I didn't buy anything for anyone cause I never got into the practice. But thanx anyhow.

Got to spend more time than expected with my dear, who has been great in supporting me through my various "difficulties" in "certain" aspects of my life.

Despite rain making the season feel abit dreary, I feel it really makes it quite cool and nice. Especially @ night when we sleep. (yes/no?)

2006-12-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

Haha, I think I have recieved a number of complaints that my blog is too political, so I'll try to lighten up a bit.

In view that X'mas is around the corner..I would like to make my wish-list to Mr. Santa Clause. Due to the fact that I'm a very childish man and I still decieve myself that he actually exists.

Dear Santa,

I would really like to be happy, I would like to be a 'glass half-full' person. I would like to be able to seek personal fulfilment in whatever I do. I would also like to be a better boyfriend, because sometimes I'm too caught up with material possessions, work and other aspects of life. I don't buy 4D, TOTO or go to Singapore pools, so hoping that I win the lottery is quite irrelevant.

In short, I would like to be happier in my own circumstances. To always take life's knocks with a pinch of salt and life's successes with humility. (although I haven't experienced many of life's successes). I would like to be a better son to my parents and I'm sorry I used my cat to wipe the floor when I spilled some water.

I don't wish for a house in the Tanglin area, with several ferraris (although if you give, I sure take). Rather I wish I would make better use of my time for the loved ones in my life. I also wish to be of greater use to my current employers as I fear neither death, pain or my boss' diatribes aimed in my general direction.

All that I wish for, is intangible and can't be sent to me gift wrapped in a parcel but that's fine. If you would like to bestow me with some material luxuries I will not decline inview that good things are hard to come by. I have this old friend of mine who always tells me "Good things come in good time". But lets ignore him cause he's old.

Material presents.

1) Maybe Kwek Leng Beng, in an attempt to transfer money to his wife, enters the wrong acct number and transfers 10 million to me. He subsequently loses the receipt so he is unable to trace where the money went to. I am willing to pay GST for the amount of money transferred to me, it will help the poor.

2) Mindef loses my reservist record and replaces it with "killed-in-action"

3) All the parking fines that I paid gets given back to me in a new Gahmen progress package

4) Instead of having a subaru challange, where contestants see who wins the subaru by putting their hands on their car. (subsequently staying there for afew days). I hope for a ferrari challange, I will then proceed to glue my hands to the car, refuse to go toilet and defecate in my jeans.

5) I wish for a Man Utd Jersy, signed by Wayne Rooney, which I will place on a pike in orchard road...and set on fire. I also hope the ash from the burning goes into some Man Utd fan's drink and gives him diarherrea. (jus kidding)

2006-12-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

Singapore and Globalisation

I studied basic economics in JC and learnt that in most cases low price means more demand and vice versa. I also learnt that there were luxury goods, This means that the demand of these goods could be relatively high despite stagnant or moderately increasing prices. I also learnt of goods with inelastic demand, goods that had a very steep demand curve and the demand for these goods would remain high despite price hikes. (cigerettes, alchohol, petrol. etc)

Ok, I grasped the fundementals of demand and supply, or so I thought. I reckoned that wage levels would be determined by the same market forces that dictate acquisition of goods. Well, I was only partially right, because I didn't understand that markets were merging. Two years ago, the wealth management industry began to grow and the demand for private bankers grew proportionately. In fact, today there is still a shortage and because of that, their wages are relatively high. Inspiring.

Just what is THE MARKET? The market which encompasses the intangible pull and push of demand. The market is US. We are the market, when people do business they always term markets in-terms of geographical locations. (eg. Singapore market, China market, USA market). Or more specifically demographic markets. (eg. Baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y). However the barriers between world markets are slowly eroding.

Enter Globalisation.

Singaporeans who take a personal interest in economics don't really like the term "Globalisation". Why? Globalisation often challanges minimum wage, previously secure job markets and entire industries. No one can escape globalisation. But just what is globalisation? Globalisation opens up a world market, where individuals & organisations are free to trade with each other, eroding geographical boundaries and information barriers. It simply enlarges the market to a world economy.

Implications:

Lets say local cleaners are willing to work for a paltry S$700 a month. That's barely enough to survive, let alone live comfortably. Bangladesh workers are willing to work for maybe S$400, because they don't bear the full brunt of living expenses here. Even sending back S$100 home is able to feed their families for a whole month. Therefore, market forces dictate that the most cost-efficient way for cleaning companies is to hire a bangla cleaner. The poor Singapore cleaner goes out of a job because taking a wage cut to $400 is suicidal.

Also, Singapore's manufactoring industry is in decline, operations are being shifted to China and India where the labour costs are low and profit margins are higher. We lose jobs because we can't compete in terms of wage levels.

Simply put, globalisation opens more alternatives, which is great, if you are a consumer. But it's also bad if you're a middle aged fella in a middle-management position, because you're an expendable commodity. Face it, if I can employ someone cheaper to do your job, why shouldn't I? That's why job security has been an issue in Singapore for years now. It's not the PAP's fault as many people think. (Although I stand firm the Govt is there to help us. If not, why the heck are they there?).

What can we do?

Frankly, we can't do squat. Every country is affected by globalisation, we're just a tad worse-off because we don't have any land or natural resources. LKY stressed that one of the commodities we can produce is 'intellectual property'. He's a very smart man but we aren't as smart as him. With a population of only 4 million people and with an uninspiring and rigid education system, what kind of 'intellectual property' do we expect to come up with? Even if we have the highest proportionate number of inventers, America will still whoop our asses because they have more in absolute terms, that's what counts. How many Sim Wong Hoos (creative tech founder) do we have? Even he is growing more white hair trying to fight the IPOD.

Maybe we should expand our boundaries and look beyond our polluted shores, over the horizon of industrial ships and our haze filled skys. The notion of graduating, working, buying a condo and car is gone. It's simply not true anymore, maybe for our fathers' it was true, but the notion is gone, dead and buried. Don't limit yourself, explore job opportunities elsewhere, don't close off that option, dare to dream and maybe you will end up better off than the rest of us.

2006-12-14T18:26:00.000-08:00

Ok...It is time to watch my weight!

Ok, today's post is not political and I'm actually going to be abit self-indulgent with the topic at hand. After enduring people calling me fat for the past week. I have decided to do something. Something I should have done such a long time ago.

Before my exams in my previous semester, I was too lazy to exercise and my weight ballooned to 70kg. Which is quite alot for my height 172cm. Ok i'm not FAT in absolute terms, but people who have known me for years aren't quite used to seeing me like this.

Then exams came, and i lost some weight. Not because I was stressed but because I didn't eat regularly. I went back to 66kg, which was pretty acceptable.

Ever since I came back to Singapore, my weight has been flucuating. I remember I was 67kg 3 weeks ago and when I weight myself recently, I had gained 3kg.

ARrrgh, the agony. So now I have decided to only eat fruits for lunch on weekdays. And burn 350 calories every two days on the step machine. I've only stopped taking carbonated drinks as well as teh-ping, milo-peng and other sugary drinks.

I was browsing through my photos from my canoeing days and thought to myself, "damn I was lean!" *heartbreak*

OKOK so now I declare I weigh 70kg....I will post my weight up here again next friday to see if I have lost any weight. I know its awfully nassacistic of me but please forgive me my friends.

Chris.

2006-12-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

This is a great post from a Singaporean blogger, pls take 5 mins to give it a read.

IS presents “I am a Singaporean” by Dan E, inspired by Mr Brown

===I was born in 1970 at the KK hospital and grew up in a kampong near the old airport. My parents stopped at 2 after having my younger sibling.

I moved from my kampong to a HDB flat in the west-end of Singapore when the government exercised the Land Reclamation Act on my kampong to build new flats.

I schooled through PSLE, O-level, A-level, and took a 2.5 years Army conscription break before disrupting to return to NUS for a degree course.

I followed the Singapore dream: study hard, serve the country, work hard, listen to the government and have a good life.

I remember vividly an illustration from the National Education text in primary school where it depicted a happy family of four walking towards their car from a high-rise apartment.

I observed the property market riding waves after waves of increase and read the dosage of how “investors” harvested profits within weeks without even seeing the apartment they bought. Inspiring.

And I quietly wondered how I can afford a high-rise apartment. But I thought that the government has a plan and I went for my Reservists and IPPT.

I watched my mother fell sick, admitted for emergency treatment and ICU observation. I saw the hospitable bills piled to intimidating figures but I have one and just only one mother – priceless. I knew I had enough CPF savings to cover her.

I thought I knew, but the CPF Board knew better. I watched in horror as the clerk punched her calculator and calmly informed me that the combined CPF of my 3 family members could only pay for less than 15% of the $25,000 bill.

I wiped out my first few years of cash savings in one cheque. Little did I know, then, that this one cheque would go on to change my Singapore dream.

I researched the CPF and learned about the limited medical scheme, housing scheme, and the ever-rising minimum sum requirement. I found out that I can’t access my money even if I have a dying mother requiring an operation for which I have no cash to pay.

I finally understood why some old people say, “in singapore you can die but you better don’t fall sick”.

And I went for my Reservists and IPPT – but I began hating it for its inflexibility and infringement on my personal life.

I started asking “why”. I questioned and discovered that no one had a satisfactory answer, (or perhaps they just didn’t want to answer) – except for slogans like “More Good Years”, “Swiss Standard of Living”, “First World nation”.

No one, in fact, could tell me what constitutes a “Rainy Day” or who can decide if its going to be a rainy day. Certainly not the weatherman, I know.

I took up a job that led me away from Singapore, relocating to a few locations. Someone called me a quitter subsequently.

In Japan, I concluded that World-class transportation network is quite a bit more than just 4 lines running through the city.

In Taiwan, I realized that Singapore is really a western society that happens to speak functional Mandarin. I learned what is civic participation, media independence, and how absolute power will corrupt absolutely eventually.

I now know it is the electorate’s responsibility to ensure that the government does its job – not the other way around.

I married and bought my own high-rise apartment (not a cent from the CPF) – all outside of Singapore. I found out that I don’t need a car to complete the picture in order to be happy, or to support my ego.

I watched the post-911 GE and the recent Lee-junior GE. I saw Martyn See’s documentary on CSJ. I observed the emergence of political forums and their haste relocation from singapore, the evolution of the “persistently non-political” blogs, not to mention the blogs’ coverage of GE-2006.

I read with interest the emergence of civic awareness that are well articulated and presented on the Internet.

I am amused at the PAP’s apprehension of this new media, as well as its instinctive need to “fix” this emerging trend. I wonder how the new fix will reconcile with the new slogan, “Open and Inclusive Society”.

I continue to be amused by a shriveled 80+ years old man who persists in putting on his gauntlets and meeting his imaginary opponent in a cul-de-sac. And yet when the time comes for reckoning he backpeddles and calls out for judgement without trial.

I pay the government to do its job of providing governmental services to the country, including a fair, equitable and non-partisan method of upgrading older estates.

I didn’t pay to be told what can or cannot be expressed as opinions, be it constructive, partisan or otherwise. I have my wife at home to discuss freedom of expression – it is not the call of a civil servant or a minister employed by my tax dollars.

I have this to tell the civil servants and ministers: create more jobs, keep prices steady and try to move singapore upwards a little more in the Happy Nation Index. And stop complaining about how you cannot cope with rising oil prices, globalization, terrorism – you need to think really hard and come out with solutions.

And you do really need to worry about losing confidence because you are already there: through non-performance.

I am a Singaporean, who now understand the separation of State and Government, and who knows government must be managed and can indeed be changed (as opposed to some misguided musings).

I am a Singaporean, and I want a democratic society based on justice and equality. And I believe we will slowly but surely dismantle the obstructions accumulated from years of apathy.
So say we all.

2006-12-01T00:32:00.000-08:00

2006-11-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

I got this from stella's blog. She gave me the letter S to work with.

S2000- Favourite car, Honda 2litre n/a producing 240bhp

S Club Seven- There's one girl called Rachael who's quite chio

STI- Subaru car

Stupid- people who crowd outside MRT doors

Senseless- the latest GST hike

Sickening- Lim Bijia

Superman- Nice underwear

Sadako- Goth Chio bu

SJI- Lousy school (kidding..haa)

SDU- Print your salary on your shirt before going

Soccer- Best sport in the world, if you take out manchester utd

Singapore- Alcatraz

2006-11-23T01:52:00.000-08:00

Cost of a Ferrari in Singapore is $850,000

So if I save 1k every month...I will save 12k every year

So I should be able to afford to buy it when 850,000 / 12,000 = 70 years

I will be able to buy my first ferrari when i'm 24+70 = 94 years old...YAY

OH shit, I forgot I'll have to buy a house and raise a family too..

2006-11-16T22:01:00.001-08:00

GST HIKE, from 5% to 7% - My thoughts and feelings

There are only 2 things for sure in life: Death and Taxes. A few days ago PM Lee Hsien Loong announced there was going to be a GST increase of 2%. He claimed that the increase was neccesary to fund packages for the poor. Well, in fairness, the money has to come from somewhere.

There are 3 kinds of taxes, Corporate Taxes, Personal Taxes and GST.

Corporate Taxes - PM Lee was reluctant to raise corporate taxes, possibly because Singapore has to maintain low corporate taxes to attract foreign investment. If taxes are too high, they will act as a deterent to foreign investments and Singapore will lose out. Hong Kong also has very low corporate taxes. (Fair enough)

Personal Taxes - From what I gather, you only get taxed if you earn above 2k. This probably means most of Singapore's population doesn't pay taxes (at least 60% not kidding). PM Lee was reluctant to raise personal tax because he doesn't want to de-motivate the higher earners of the workforce. If taxes are too high, people won't be as motivated to earn more, since they get taxed more.

GST -- GST (Goods & services tax), is a form of indirect tax. Unlike the previous two, no one can avoid GST, unless you don't eat and don't go out. Basic necessities like bread and eggs will be affected by GST.

The irony is...

It's quite ironic that the Govt raise GST when it's the only tax that affects the poor. So in other words, we are taxing the poor and giving back to the poor. GST has also been referred to as a REGRESSIVE tax, which means it taxes the poor more than the rich.

"How can this be?" You might ask yourself. Surely the rich will contribute more GST since they buy more luxury goods. While it is true that in absolute terms richer people may pay more, it doesn't paint the full picture. Proportionately, poor people have a much smaller income, they are also unable to regulate their spending like the rich can. (E.G Rich man doesn't need to buy a plasma-TV, but the poor can't possibly not buy bread).

THE SOLUTION

Create a scope of basic goods and write-off GST. These goods may be milk, bread, salt, cooking oil. etc etc. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has already stated that wards B & C are exempt from GST to aid the poor, so why not conceptualise this idea? Where is the uniformity in the system?

Conclusion

This is a very simple analysis of the situation. Infact, there are far more discrepencies in my thinking. Singapore and Hong Kong have two of the lowest corporate taxes in the world, going by the law of economics, we should have an immense supply of foreign injection. But its not happening is it? WHY? Obviously corporate taxes are not the only determinant for foreign investment. The image of the country counts too, and after the whole IMF, no one would dare to say we're the most popular country around.

You see, everytime the government lowers the cost of something, the cost of something else, will inadvertently rise. (I feel we are paying the price for low COEs). In anycase, the drop in COEs has nothing to do with low income Singaporeans, cause they can't afford to drive. The new step of buidling more 1-room rental flats are a good idea, people will look at poor ppl and say "well, they have a roof over their heads and they have rice to eat, so they won't die."

*SHAKES HEAD*. We love to call ourselves a developed country. Yet, instead of thinking of ways to help the poor move out of the poverty gap, we seem content to talk about basic survival, doesn't matter if they stay poor as long as they have food to eat. How far have we come over the last few decades?

2006-11-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

SO CUTE!!!

2006-11-03T01:24:00.000-08:00

One of the main reasons why in recent years the Singapore Government has always ensured that their Miss Universe representative were of tertiary level education or higher was because of the following incident which occurred not too many years ago. It is the final round of the Miss Universe Pageant and the 3 finalists, Miss USA, Miss Malaysia and Miss Singapore are being asked 3 simple questions:

MC: The first question is name me an electrical appliance starting with "L"

Miss USA: Lamp

Miss Malaysia: Light bulb

Miss Singapore: LADIO

Judge: No, no, Radio does not start with the letter "L"

MC: I am going to give you 2 more chances; The next question is name me an animal starting with the letter "L"

Miss USA: Lion

Miss Malaysia: Leopard

Miss Singapore: LABBIT

Judge: No, no, no, Rabbit does not start with the letter "L"

MC: I am going to give you one last chance, if you answer this question incorrectly, you are disqualified.

Name me a fruit starting with the letter "L"

Miss USA: Lemon

Miss Malaysia: Lychee

Miss Singapore, with full of confidence, smiles and says: LIEWLIAN !!

This is not the end of the story, the Judge consulted the board of judges to determine if Miss Singapore should really disqualified; and they decided that since Miss Singapore was having as many problems with the letter "L", the decided to give her another chance.

Judge: OK, the final question is name me a human anatomy starting with the letter "L"

Miss USA: Lung (applause)

Miss Malaysia: Liver (even more applause)

Miss Singapore: LAN CIAU

Judge: ?????????!!!!

2006-10-31T00:40:00.000-08:00

CLASSIC QUOTES FROM THE PAP

"Retrenchment is good for singapore. If there is no retrenchments, then I worry." - SM Goh

"I don't think that there should be a cap on the number of directorship that a person can hold." - PAP MP John Chen who holds 8 directorships.

"It's not for the money because some of the companies pay me as little as $10,000 a year." - PAP MP Wang Kai Yuen who holds 11 directorships.

"If you want to dance on a bar top, some of us will fall off the bar Top. Some people will die as a result of liberalising bar top dancing... a young girl with a short skirt dancing on it may attract some insults from some other men, the boyfriend will start fighting and some people will die." - Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports

"I would want to form an alternative policies group in Parliament, comprising 20 PAP MPs. These 20 PAP MPs will be free to vote in accordance with what they think of a particular policy. In other words, the whip for them will be lifted. This is not playing politics, this is something which I think is worthwhile doing." - SM Goh

"If you sing Jailhouse Rock with your electric guitar when others are playing Beethoven, you are out of order. The whip must be used on you." - SM Goh again, on a dramatic u-turn, rethink or backtrack, whatever you call it.

"Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast screening." - another gem from Lim Hng Kiang

"We started off with (the name) and after looking at everything, the name that really tugged at the heartstrings was in front of us. The name itself is not new, but what has been used informally so far has endeared itself to all parties." - Mah Bow Tan on the $400,000 exercise to rename Marina Bay as Marina Bay.

"Having enjoyed football as a national sport for decades, we in Singapore have set ourselves the target of reaching the final rounds of World Cup in 2010." - Ho Peng Kee

"Only 5% are unemployed. We still have 95% who are employed." - Yeo Cheow Tong

"Singaporean workers have become more expensive than those in the USA and Australia." - Tony Tan

"People support CPF cuts because there are no protest outside parliament." - PM Lee

"No, it was not a U-turn, and neither was it a reversal of government policy. But you can call it a rethink." - Yeo Cheow Tong

"...I regret making the decision because, in the end, the baby continued to be in intensive care, and KKH now runs up a total bill of more than $300,000..." - Lim Hng Kiang, regretting the decision to save a baby's life because KKH ran up a $300,000 bill

2006-10-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

ALAS..We have another Elite RJC student who thinks Derek Wee is an idiot. He is 17 years old and yes, hasn't worked a day in his life. He apparently agrees with Wee Shu Min that Derek is an idiot because he 'consulted' his RJC senior and they came to a conclusion that he was an idiot

http://shadowbamf.blogspot.com/

2006-10-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU FOR APOLOGISING, MR. WEE SIEW KIM.

Although it would have been easier if you said sorry from the start. I accept your apology in the ST dated 26/10/2006. Finally, Singaporeans can move on with life.

2006-10-25T01:42:00.000-07:00

Her MP father is right, that means we're all wrong.

I spotted the article in the ST yesterday, my eyes lit up with anticipation. I believed that an apology was coming, a heartfelt apology that would have soothed the pain of a near fatal stab wound to the general public. I read through the article, once, twice and thrice.

It wasn't an apology...I complained to my mother, utterly dismayed by Wee Siew Kim's comments (her father). He defended his daughter, probably because he was the one who instilled those radical notions in that little head of hers.

"I feel her privacy was invaded, after all it was her blog"

Dear Lord, I pray for this poor man for he does not know the internet is a public domain. Some people were recently jailed for racist comments and apparently, their privacy wasn't invaded.

"Nonetheless, I have counselled her to learn from it. Some people cannot take the brutal truth and that sort of language, so she ought to learn from it."

So now its our fault, we cannot take the brutal truth and that sort of langauge. I assure you after serving army, I can take any type of langauge, I can even add to your daughter's vocabulary. Derek Wee was wrong to fear for his job? Statistics in Singapore have already proved that no matter how skilled you are, if you get retrenched around 40, you're pretty much doomed. Why do you think there are taxi drivers with degrees?

"I think if you cut through the insensitivity of the language, her basic point is reasonable, that is, that a well-educated university graduate who works for a multinational company should not be bemoaning about the Government and get on with the challenges in life."

If you stop bringing in so much foreign talent (FT), then maybe we won't bemoan so much. How about some age discrimination laws, which prevents companies from getting rid of older workers to keep the wage low and everyone in constant suffering? Well-educated so what? Cannot find job what...duh. FYI our FTs in SG, just earn their money and scoot off to spend it elsewhere, they don't even inject it back into the economy! Apart from the insensitivity, her basic point is reasonable? (pronounced as ree son na ble). You cannot just blast people first and expect them to listen to your 'reasonable' point. Anyway on closer analysis, its not even reasonable.

"The new media of the Internet is such that if you don’t like what she has said, you have the right of rebuttal."

Thanx hor, think we already knew that. Thats why internet is a two way medium, not like TV or Radio *slaps forehead*.

"I will not gag her, since she’s 18 and should be able to stand by what she says."

She got stand by what she says meh? Kena hamtam on the net den st8 away shut down her blog and flee behind her father. Where is her public apology? NVM, written one can liao. WHERE? WHERE? WHERE? If she stands by what she said, then why are you the one addressing the public?

Apology (pronounced as 'A POR LOH GEE'): pls go to www.dictionary.com and see what it means. If you think you're right, pls dun apologise. If you think you're right den give some sort of fake apology, its even worse. (eg. I'm sorry you are stupid)

EVEN RJC is disappointed in her, how come you're not? You are her lao pei what, how come you not disappointed? Instead you say we are whiners. Derek Wee is a taxpayer leh..you're daughter is going to use taxpayers money for her future scholarship lah, not poor thing meh?

PLS look at all the great men in Singapore, all suffer like mad at first, then become what they are today. Dunno why ur daughter is classified 'elite' when she only cause other ppl to suffer.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WEE SHU MIN WAS SEEN LAUGHING AT THE COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET, NOT SORRY AT ALL HOR.If only life is so song, can do anything you want den run behind parents.

2006-10-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

This post was written by a girl called WEE SHU MIN. She was from the GEP stream and is a purebred Rafflesian. She topped the 'O' levels in 2004 and her father is an MP. She recently blogged an entry which promptly got her slammed to the ground..She critcised a man called Derek Wee. You guys can judge for yourselves..Here is her post.

mom's friend sent her some blog post by some bleeding stupid 40-year old singaporean called derek wee (WHY do all the idiots have my surname why?!) whining about how singapore is such an insecure place, how old ppl (ie, 40 and above) fear for their jobs, how the pool of foreign "talent" (dismissively chucked between inverted commas) is really a tsunami that will consume us all (no actually he didn't say that, he probably said Fouren Talern Bery Bad.), how the reason why no one wants kids is that they're a liability in this world of fragile ricebowls, how the government really needs to save us from inevitable doom but they aren't because they are stick-shoved-up-ass elites who have no idea how the world works, yadayadayadayada.

i am inclined - too much, perhaps - to dismiss such people as crackpots. stupid crackpots. the sadder class. too often singaporeans - both the neighborhood poor and the red-taloned socialites - kid themselves into believing that our society, like most others, is compartmentalized by breeding. ridiculous. we are a tyranny of the capable and the clever, and the only other class is the complement.

sad derek attracted more than 50 comments praising him for his poignant views, joining him in a chorus of complaints that climax at the accusation of lack of press freedom because his all-too-true views had been rejected by the straits times forum. while i tend to gripe about how we only have one functioning newspaper too, i think the main reason for its lack of publication was that his incensed diatribe was written in pathetic little scraps that passed off as sentences, with poor spelling and no grammar.

derek, derek, derek darling, how can you expect to have an iron ricebowl or a solid future if you cannot spell?

if you're not good enough, life will kick you in the balls. that's just how things go. there's no point in lambasting the government for making our society one that is, i quote, "far too survival of fittest". it's the same everywhere. yes discrimination exists, and it is sad, but most of the time if people would prefer hiring other people over you, it's because they're better. it's so sad when people like old derek lament the kind of world that singapore will be if we make it so uncertain. go be friggin communist, if uncertainty of success offends you so much - you will certainly be poor and miserable. unless you are an arm-twisting commie bully, which, given your whiny middle-class undereducated penchant, i doubt.

then again, it's easy for me to say. my future isn't certain but i guess right now it's a lot brighter than most people's. derek will read this and brand me as an 18-year old elite, one of the sinners who will inherit the country and run his stock to the gutter. go ahead. the world is about winners and losers. it's only sad when people who could be winners are marginalised and oppressed. is dear derek starving? has dear derek been denied an education? has dear derek been forced into child prostitution? has dear derek had his clan massacred by the government?

i should think not. dear derek is one of many wretched, undermotivated, overassuming leeches in our country, and in this world. one of those who would prefer to be unemployed and wax lyrical about how his myriad talents are being abandoned for the foreigner's, instead of earning a decent, stable living as a sales assistant. it's not even about being a road sweeper. these shitbags don't want anything without "manager" and a name card.

please, get out of my elite uncaring face.
posted at 12:08 PM

*******************************

Derek Wee's original commentary which prompted Ms Wee's response above.

By Derek Wee
Oct 12, 2006

When I read the Straits Times article (dated 24 Sep) on PM Lee calling the young to be committed and make a difference to Singapore, I have so much thought about the issue.

I am 35 years old, graduated from University and gainfully employed in a multinational company. But I cannot help but feel insecure over the future of Singapore. Lets face it, it's not uncommon to hear, "when you are above 40, you are over the hill".

The government has been stressing on re-training, skills upgrading and re-adapt. The fact is, no matter how well qualified or adaptable one is, once you hit the magical 40, employers will say, "you are simply too old".

We have been focusing our resources and problem solving on low unskilled labour. But in reality, our managerial positions and skilled labour force are actually fast losing its competitiveness.

I travel around the region frequently for the past 10 years. It didn't take me long to realise how far our neighbours have come over the past decade.

They have quality skilled workers, and are less expensive. When I work with them, their analytical skills are equally good, if not better than us.

It's not new anymore. Taxi drivers are fast becoming "too early to retire, too old to work" segment of the society. I like to talk to taxi drivers whenever I am heading for the airport.

There was this driver. Eloquent and well read. He was an export manager for 12 years with an MNC. Retrenched at 40 years old. He had been searching for a job since his retrenchment.

Although he was willing to lower his pay expectations, employers were not willing to lower their prejudice. He was deemed too old. I wouldn't be surprised if we have another No. 1; having the most highly educated taxi drivers in the world.

On PM Lee calling the young to be committed and make a difference. Look around us. How dedicated can we be to Singapore when we can visualise what's in store for us after we turned 40? Then again, how committed are employers to us? But we can't blame them. They have bottom lines & shareholders' gain to answer to.

Onus is really on the government to revamp the society. A society that is not a pressure cooker. A society that does not mirror so perfectly, what survival of the fittest is....[Message truncated]

2006-10-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Premire @ Tampanies...The new breed of high class HDBs.

For those of you who haven't heard (i'm sure most of you have). The Gahmen has given private developers a chance at public housing. These new condo style HDBs come equiped with all the modern fixtures and deco which you will find in a normal executive condo.

You get multifunctional air-cons in every room, generous balcony space, executive style cabinets and some fixtures and fittings which are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The units aren't BIG by any sense of the word, but they sure do look good. There aren't facilities like gyms and swimming pools though, but thats a minor gripe considering that such facilities are usu just a short drive away.

In other words, The Premire can be considered abit of a hybrid. Finally, there are homes which fill the price gap between a 5 room flat and an executive condo. Sounds good hey? People have been complaining that the disparity of prices between a 5-room and a condo leave many people stranded.

BUT WAIT, there is a catch (there are 2,3,4 and 5 room units, but I'll just talk about the 5 rooms for convenience sake). The income ceiling for the 5-room hybrid remains at 8k per hsehold. ZZZZZZZ..knew it was too good to be true. A 5 room hybrid costs anywhere between 308k to 450k, which is substantially higher than a normal 5 room. Sooooooo, why does the income ceiling remain the same? *scratches head*

I'll be honest, these hybrids aren't meant for graduates who plan to work for another 3-4 years and get married. How to afford??? Older couples who don't qualify for a normal 5 room due to the income ceiling...STILL don't qualify for the hybrid units.

I think there is an element of danger about this issue. Since the income ceiling remains, while the cost of the hybrid is higher.

1) You take a longer loan

2) You pay bigger installments and have a shorter loan.

Probably the result is, you get more DINKS (double income no kids). People might be tempted to rush down and put down deposits, w/o fully understanding the consequnces.

Assuming you both earn exactly 4k each (ur income is taxable by the way). And if you pay back maybe 3k to the bank every month, you're left with 5k...(prob less actually)...now you have to choose: Get a car which befits your status? Or get raise a child...hmmmmmmmmmmmm...I admit 8k combined is alot to many SG ppl no doubt.

However I don't think 8k is alot if you're gonna stay in a hybrid like that.

2006-10-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is a yellow box, many Singaporeans have seen it.

On the road it means: Do not enter unless you are turning in from an adjacent street.

Singaporean intepretation: Enter if you do not wish to be behind another car.

On MRT Platorm it means: Pls do not stand in this area, wait for passengers to alight.

Singaporean interpretation: Try to squeeze as many people into the yellow box as possible, anyone standing outside will be declared dead.

In army it means: Smoking area

Singaporean intepretation: Pls stand anywhere but here if u smoke

2006-10-16T02:17:00.000-07:00

THE SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF SINGAPOREANS

I was reading through a website: www.intelligentsingaporean.wordpress.com

For those of you who wish to be an intelligent Singaporean, please give this site a read. Its inquisitive, funny, informative, enlightening and features the blogs of real intelligent people. Not talentless people who gripe about unimportant issues (Xiaxue).

In a blog I read how an ANG MO, told his Singaporean friend that Singaporeans behave like pigs. Determined to prove that these were just the minority, the Singaporean embarked on a couple of tests to prove this. He was utterly disappointed in the end: THE ANG MO, was totally right.

In the MRT, he noted how people crowd around the entrances, blocking people who were trying to get out. He noted how no one gave up their seats for pregnant ladies, the ones who gave up their seats were THAI WORKERS.Imagine that!!

The Singaporean noted how people indiscriminately leave their food and trash behind in fastfood outlets, foodcourts and overflowing trash bins.

He noted when a lady with her baby pram wanted to board a lift in the MRT, she was told sharply by a smartly dressed executive "Aiyah, why can't u take the next one?"

I read an article where someone from the IMF commented "wow, Singapore is so clean!". His claims were refuted by a Singaporean who said "that's not true, we just have alot of cleaners"

Mind you, I am the first to admit I don't take public transport. I'm lucky enough to have a car to drive (road manners is bad also). I have experienced all these when I was younger though and these are genuine situations, they happen everyday.

This post is not new from my blog, I've always complained about filthy toilets in MRTs and hawker centres. How people are still determined to squat on the toilet seat, because they are afraid they will contract HIV. How some men are still determined to pee without lifting the toilet seat up, maybe because they are afraid to touch the toilet seat, which is of course, soooo deadly.

Liong Choon once commented (yes i rem) that these are just the minority of uneducated 'uncles' who soil Singapore's image as a gracious society. I'm not too sure about that.

Stress, lack of time, peer-pressure : These are terrible excuses for bad social behaviour. This is an issue beyond being educated or not. This is an issue about upbringing, graciousness, empathy and plain consideration.

The MRT issue has been a debacle for a long long time, I remember when I was 16, it was a problem, 8 years on, its still a damn problem. People simply don't care.

I have a neighbour in Pine Grove who lives directly opposite me, he's been my neighbour for at least 20 years. He has two children who are in secondary school. When I was a small kid selling tickets to help the poor, he flatly told me he wasn't interested. His wife is anti-social just like him and once she saw me running for the lift, she purposely closed the lift cause she didn't want to wait for me. Perhaps I run faster when I'm angry, but I stuck my arm inbetween the closing doors and pryed open the lift.

When my cat puked outside his unit, he wrapped the puke up in newspaper and threw it infront of my front door!!WTF...WHY??! Why was there a need for that??? Thankfully, he has had his retribution. His daugther grew up to be very ugly, inheriting her mother's jaw, which resembles an ORC from Lord of The Rings. His son grew up short and pudgy, with a bad haircut and a very weird deep voice. Neighbours for 20 years and till today, they don't even say hi, nor do they hold the lift for me.

Sigh, Singaporeans....I don't want to generalise, I have many great Singaporean friends. But really Ugly behaviour is EVERYWHERE. Try caring about people other than yourself..and for heaven's sake..PLEASE STOP ABUSING/ABANDONING animals!!

2006-10-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

LAST NITE

I was with Rayner and Yingzi (Manly) last night at BOJANGLES, which is at Railmall. We were sitting around the table having a drink, when MANLY laughed and spewed a mixture of saliva and water over me. It was very unglam and quite disgusting, and she later claim it was "showers of blessing"

Given a chance, I would like to pee on her head and return the blessings. Anyway it was good, grabbing a drink and unwinding after work. But once I got home, i was so tired i instantly lost consciousness.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR YINGZI: SHE NEEDS A MAN, INTERESTED APPLICANTS PLS APPLY.

2006-10-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

BMW Z4M VERSUS PORSCHE CAYMEN S

2006-10-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

This is damn funny

2006-10-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

CAR JOURNALISTS' FUNNY COMMENTS

Subaru WTX STI SPEC-D

It still rides so hard that the danger of biting your tongue off is only countered by the greater likelihood of swallowing it, and every time you select another gear, the powertrain still hooks up aggressively enough slip a couple of discs.

Hyundai Accent

There is an off button that doesn't actually turn it off and no 'on' button at all. I thought I'd found this but when I pressed it the whole radio fell off.

Mitsubishi EVO

Minimal lag and a snap through the first couple of gears and that's 60mph in 4.3 seconds. You can jabber around, 'sociopath with a licence', in the low gears, or stretch its legs in long bursts of breathy, yet linear, acceleration... 'Sociopath with a six-month ban.'

Ferrari Enzo

It was so fast that the wrinkles on my faces started to disappear under heavy acceleration as my skin was tugged back to my ears. I'm 45 mind you, and under heavy acceleration I looked like I was 20. However, the brakes were so good when I hit them, all my wrinkles came back and my face was indanger of being yanked clean off. I looked 80 under braking.

2006-10-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

I MISS PERTH...

1) I MISS...Driving my CRX, blasting Initial D soundtracks, Blasting the VTEC toward the REDLINE and really pushing it in neighbourhood roads.

2) I MISS...The Zion peeps, so many friends that I slowly gathered over the few years I was in Perth.

3) I MISS...Hanging out in each others' houses, just talking nonsense and going for supper.

4) I MISS...The easy traffic and the good manners

5) I MISS...The cool weather during winter, the beach days during summer.

6) I MISS...my ex-hsemates, Uncle Gerald, Uncle Roy and Marcus and our MJ sessions (plus Jack Ng)

7) I MISS...The pace of life, which I would die to have now. I miss studying too.

8) I MISS...Not having to worry about money, although I knew that would be temporary

I MISS EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT PLACE....

2006-10-03T01:35:00.000-07:00

DAMN THE STUPID HAZE

Yes, the haze is back. One of Indonesia's most illustrious exports. Its irritating my nose and my throat. Its quite outrageous when burn down your own forests to gain farmland and inconvenience the entire region.

Anyway, in other news. Malaysian Prime Minister (forgot his name) was deeply upset by comments by MM Lee that Chinese have been marginalised in Malaysia. I wonder if he was deeply upset that someone noticed and pointed it out, or if he was upset because he felt it was not true. I shall not place further comments in fear that I will be thrown in jail and be made an example.

A man recorded himself on his camera abusing a stray cat, the whole incident was recorded by his friend. At the end of it, he smiled and gave a big thumbs up to the camera. He befriended the stray cat, who obviously was used to kindness from humans, he den suddenly kicked the cat, which fled the scene, totally terrified.

Imagine how confused the cat must be, it is probably fed by humans, stroked and cared for. Once again, its terrible for such people to be doing such things. I would like to befriend him myself. Before launching my car and running over him. Or throw him in the Lion's cage in the Zoo....and ask him to kick the Lion.

2006-09-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

YAY ! Questionaire Time !

Message: 1)Who did you last go out with?

:: Girlfriend I believe

(2) What do you want to receive on your birthday?

:: Nothing much in particular, anything is fine actually

(3) Reach your hand out to the right. What do you
touch?

:: My mouse

(4) What time did you sleep last night?

:: 12.30

(5) What's the wallpaper on your compt?

:: Aston Martin DB9

(6) What can you hear besides the computer?

:: my colleague on the phone

(7) Do you agree to the saying "to Forgive is to
forget"?

:: Sometimes yes, But don't be a doormat

(8) When, where was the last time tears started
to roll down your cheek?

:: Errr, don't want to say...

(9) What/who makes you happy?

:: Relaxing, doing the simple things in life..chilling with frens/gf

(10) What make you sad?

:: Singaporeans.

(11) What are your favorite books?

:: I rarely read, but when i was a kid, i liked charlie and the choc factory

(12) What would you like to have right at
this moment which seems totally impossible?

:: An S2000

(13) Who will you turn to if you have a huge
problem that not all your friends know about?

:: Depends on the nature of the problem

(14) What's your favorite song at the moment?
:: qian li zhi wai...jay chou and fei yu qing

(15) What was the last song that kept
ringing on your mind last night before you sleep?

:: Initial D soundtracks

(16) What was the best event that happened last
year?

:: The last S.F.A.S...sob..missed this years one.

(17) Where did you go today?

:: I just got to work

(18) Last thing you eat?

:: Breakfast, french toast

(19) Who were you with? Were they cool?

:: was alone

(20) Have you gone to the beach just w/
your buddies?

:: of coz, plenty of times

(21)Do you love sunsets?

:: If i see it, thats nice, but i got no patience to sit there and wait for one

(22)When is your b-day?

:: 8 dec 1982, PLS REMEMBER haha

(23)What are your wishes for your birthday?

:: Wish I had more free time. Probably every singaporean wishes that

(24)Who do you wanna be w/ on the day of your
birthday?

:: My gf, cause she has the same bday as me

(25)Have you ever felt that you've been taken for
granted?

:: All the time, especially in the army.

(26) thing/s you regret?

:: I regret my regretful nature

(27) Is there anything else you want to do
besides answering this survey?

:: go back to sleep

(28)What's the most important sentence/s
that lingers in your mind right now?

:: Speeding doesn't kill, stopping suddenly does.

(29)cookies n' cream or double dutch?

:: Tequila shot

(30)Chocolate cake or brazo 'ni' mercedez?
:: huh? wtf?

(31)Do you know how to drive?

:: hell yes. pretty damn good if i say so myself..hahaha

(33) Do you like spongebob?

:: Not particularly

(34) Do you know how to play the guitar?

:: Nope

(35) Who's the last person you texted?

:: My mom

(37) KFC or Kenny Rogers?

:: Kenny rogers is obviously better, but its obviously more expensive

(38) Do you find yourself sexy?

:: No, I never do actually.

(39) Hotdogs or cheesedogs?

:: Hotdogs

(41)is there someone you're missing right now?

:: All my friends in Perth

(42)Do you love someone right now?

:: She'll prob read this and she knows its her

(43) Where did you go last Friday?

:: Met up with an old friend

2006-09-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

What would you do if you won a million dollars?

I would...

give 200k to my parents..

use 400k to buy a hse in perth thru my uncle

save the remaining 400k in fixed D.

Den when the time comes to get married, I would use the 400k as downpayment for a condo!!!

I bet you all are surprised I didn't say buy a car..haha..cause i really wouldn't.

feel free to rip off this post.

2006-09-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

F.A.Q about cars, the MOST commonly asked questions

Why is it that both our car engines are the same size (e.g 1.6litres), but his engine produces so much more power?

There are many reasons for variations in power, despite having the same engine capacity, some engines have better management systems. Higher compression ratios usually mean more power, the degree of lift in the camshafts also create variations of power. Generally speaking, a higher-rev band will result in more power because more air and petrol can be fed into the engine.

Why is it that although I have more horsepower, he can overtake me on high speeds?

Horsepower and top-speed are not closely related. Horsepower generally refers to how fast you can accelerate. Top speed depends on how big the engine capacity. The bigger the engine, the higher the top speed.

What is turbo lag?

All forced induction systems have turbo lag. Extra air and petrol is fed into the combustion chamber which creates bigger combustion and therefore, generates more power. Once it has reached its peak, the process needs to be repeated. This is known as turbo lag. The turbine also needs to be spun in order to generate electricy to power the air-compressor, therefore, there will always be a slight delay when you floor the accelerator.

What is that sharp sound everytime a turbo car changes gear

That is hot air being expelled from the car as a result of forced induction. It is expelled through a blow-out valve, which results in a sharp piercing sound.

Is it possible to make my car faster by installing a turbo kit?

In theory, as long as there is enough space in the engine bay, a turbocharger can be fixed in. However, other components such as the gearbox, suspension and pistons may be unable to cope with the extra power. So...in addition to installing a turbo, many other components need to be changed which makes it abit too expensive for some.

Why do convertible cars weigh more than conventional cars?

On first impression, chopping off a heavy metal roof should make the car lighter. Techinally, this is true. However, the chasis becomes more unstable and becomes more flexy beause of the sudden lack of bracing. Strengthening beams then have to be installed to give the chasis more rigidity. This makes the car deceptively heavier.

Is a 1.4 litre car more ecnomical than a 1.6 litre car?

Singaporeans take note, this is always true. Although you can save petrol by regulating the way you drive, there are still physical boundaries. The weight of the car play a part in how economical a car is. A 1.4 litre car may be heavier than a 1.6 litre car and you may have to depress the gas pedal alot more, to get the car moving. A 1.6litre car, CAN achieve better mileage.

2006-09-19T02:07:00.000-07:00

This what I got when I typed "MICHELLE LAU" in Google Image search....what do you guys think...close match?

2006-09-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

It's a rainy and dark monday. I got enough sleep but the air-con in my office is making me terribly sleepy. Yesterday I went with GF to a show-condo in Orchard Rd. Its called the Tomlinson and it was absolutely beautiful.

Obviously, we went for fun because we wouldn't be able to afford it, even if we sold our future children for medical experiments.

3 rooms, 1 study,

2380 sq feet...................5 MILLION DOLLARS............

IT was an OBSCENE cost...but oh well....who says you can't dream

2006-09-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

Recent food shortages in Perth have reached critical levels. Authorities have identified the source of the problem.

2006-09-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

SINGAPOREAN CAR BUYERS

They often say, the kind of car you drive, often reflects your personality. Here's my two cents on it.

BMW 318: You are brand conscious, social standing and peer competitiveness is important to you. As long as you have something to show, its enough, doesn't matter if you have nothing in the background. (Same for Mercedes C180 buyers)

LEXUS buyers: You want to be different. Setting yourself apart from the mainstream crowd is more important than blending with it. You scorn people who change themselves to fit in.

Toyota Corolla/Vios/Yaris buyers: Strong and pragmatic, social standing and small talk isn't your style. Cost comes before benefit. Inner pride states that you think more than you talk.

Ferrari buyers (singaporean version only):Elitist, egotist, social standing is of the atmost importance to you. Want to ride life on a wave of personal pride as onlookers are filled with jealousy.

Lamborghini buyers: LOOK AT ME! I HAVE A LAMBORGHINI! I'M RICH!

BMW 7 Series and MERC S-CLASS buyers:They want to have their presence felt, because incidentally, buyers of these cars don't have very big families. So what is all the extra room for? These people like to push the boundaries from their office desk. Careful and cynical.

WRX / EVO buyers:Competitive, live for thrill, risk takers and sibei kiasu. They make good workers because they view the person infront of them, as there for the overtaking. Value time and almost never stop moving.

Cherry Q Q buyers:I am practical, pride means nothing compared to money. Everything is made in China these days, so why shouldn't my car? QQ buyers will always get what they want, no matter how stupid they look during the process.

2006-09-08T00:41:00.000-07:00

THE CAT KILLER

Recently the Straits Times ran a report of how the bodies of 18 stray cats were found in the Jurong area. Its very disturbing how anyone could be so cold blooded. Cats are really harmless animals and are actually very pitiful. Can you imagine living a life on the streets and depending on kind hearted people for food?

They only jailed the last guy that was caught doing this for 8 weeks. That's far too lenient. It obviously didn't deter this guy from doing a copycat. I've loved cats my whole life and despite what people say, they are very affectionate animals, in a different way from dogs.

I hope the person who's been killing all these stray cats 1) Gets neutered 2) Gets culled himself 3)Lets me catch him doing it 4)Has a person very close to him die a tragic death 5)Gets a life sentance without parole 6) serves community service at the SPCA.

2006-09-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

IF I HAD MONEY..I might consider this car

1) 2.5 litre V6, which displaces 207bhp, which doesn't seem like alot but they didn't hardcore tune it because they wanted some comfort.

2) Its different from a BMW 3 series

3) I think it looks great, not too flashy but elegant. Interior is pretty good too.

4) Rear wheel drive

5) It has 4 doors! Although ideally, it would only sit four people comfortably. But to me, thats more than enough.

6) Its seen on the road, but its not COMMON

7) the 3.5 litre version (IS350) is abit hardcore for Singapore roads.

8) The ultimate junior executive's car!

2006-08-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

Recently read this article about a Singaporean Dad who bought his son a Subaru Wrx as a present. His son dropped off his girlfriend at her house and proceeded to meet his friends around the Tuas area, he never made it. He died in a high speed crash, which are becoming all too common nowadays.

Awhile back...a 24 year old guy caused the death of a Mazda sales assistant, when the MX-5 he was driving hit the road divider and flipped. She died of neck injuries. The MX-5 is considerably a less powerful car than the WRX.

Recently, a 21 year old SMU student also died in a road crash.

Again this brings about the road attitude of Singaporeans. Every morning on my way to work. I have to fight tooth and nail to get out of Eng Neo exit and back into Kallang Way exit. On certain days, its ok, on some days, its horrible.

Obviously buying ur inexperienced son a powerful car is foolhardy, but thats just the tip of the problem. Driving in Singapore for awhile, invokes this vicious cycle. This cycle is inherent with the general attitude of Singaporeans. "rush rush rush" "no time no time".

This attitude causes most of the fatal accidents on the road today.

Speeding with discretion when the occasion befits it, is OK. I do it, everyone does it. However excessive speeding on a crowded road is terrifying, because in SG..no one every keeps to their lanes properly. All it takes is one fella who wanders of out his lane + one very fast incoming car and u get a SWERVE, SKID and CRASH.

1) Don't Over-take on single lane road going uphill. Esp when you can't see over the hill.

2) Don't Hit the accelerator hard to close a gap on the freeway. This is how most head-butts happen, slowly ease ur foot on the accelerator and get ready to brake if needed.

3) Vans, Lorries and SCOOTERS...pls refrain from going on the right lane of the highway if you're going to crawl at 70km/h its super irritating. This behaviour explains why the PIE crawls in the morning..

4)Bikes don't ride on the line, can't tell if you're on the left lane or right lane, sometimes when ppl attempt to overtake, you will suddenly cut back into you're prefered lane and get hit.

5) Don't overtake using the roadshoulder, because in the morning its crowded with bikes waiting for the ERP to switch off (9am)

6) Pedestrians shouldn't assume that cars will just stop for you at the zebra crossing...MAKE SURE THE CAR IS STOPPING

7) Don't ride your $#*^*&#^%(#$&^%$ bicycle in the middle of the raod, YOU ARE NOT..a vehicle!

8) Don't jog with a partner side by side on the road, one should be behind.

2006-08-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

14 Febuary 2006 @ Conrad Centennial

2006-08-25T02:30:00.000-07:00

I typed "Christopher Lim" in Google Image Search and this is what I got...

What the hell man....

2006-08-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Just a thought

If everyone in SG turned on their aircon full blast and opened their windows...do u think SG would be colder in general? How cool would that be right?

Wonder if the army could convert their rations into toothpaste-like gel? So if you want roast chicken..you just simply eat squeeze the gel out of the tube and eat it..

I think if Singapore didn't have Bangalahs..the economy would collapse...

If Singapore's GDP grew by 8% last year and the Government just created 10,000 new jobs, how come 40% of the population is earning less then they did 5 years ago.

I bet if housing loan interest rates rose by 1%, most people would be unable to pay for their homes..

ERP is there so that people will be dissuaded from travelling along congested areas. PLS LOR...99% of the people who go through there HAVE to go through there. At the end of the day its still all about $$$.

What exactly is the role of the Singapore President? Seems like the Prime Minister makes all the decisions..

Speeding doesn't kill, stopping suddenly does...

Why do they call it the recoiless rifle when there obviously is a hell lot of recoil?

Why did they name the SAR21 after a killer virus?

The rule that if you're single, you can only buy a HDB when u reach 35, is freaking retarded...means if u dun marry, have to stay with parents until 35???

Building a new casino will generate more income for the state. It also implies the House always wins. And on top of housing and car loans...ppl will start having to pay off their gambling debts. Its the ERA of the loanshark...

Why are Russian female tennis players always so hot? Must be something to do with Vodka.

They only allow cars into Sentosa but not motocycles...why? That's like discrimination. Get rid of that damn rule and maybe Sentosa will make more money.

Its retarded that cats aren't allowed in HDB flats..they don't even go out of the hse once u have them neutered. So many poor animals on the street and the govt prevents ppl from adopting them.

Chris..

2006-08-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

Work..

Boo hoo, its a thursday morning and I'm in the office. I'm soo freaking sleepy. You know this reminds me of when I was in the army and after a rough night, I wake up feeling groggy. It's EXACTLY the same feeling!!

Yesterday was National Day and I actually felt abit patriotic. I was watching part of the NDP on TV and thought to myself "Well done Singapore, you've come a long way.." However I still wish to inform Mindef I can't make it for my next reservist and i'm still thinking of a good reason to give them.

I almost hit a motocycle on the way to work today..because he was riding with a broken brake light. I stopped like 5cm away from the rear of his bike. Suddenly I became wide awake (du lan mah...) and thought to myself....oh well...lets go back to reality..

Chris

2006-08-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Ok..this happened while I was working at the Singapore Fireworks Festival. The pier next to the merlion was cordoned off for VIPS (aka sponsors) and members of the fireworks committee. The idea was that only important people are allowed onto the pier. I was at the reception table.

*Man wearing shorts and slippers walks up to the table*

Man: Eh, cannot go there ah?

Me: Sorry, its only by private invitation.

Man: Can pay to go now anot?

Me: Sorry its only meant for VIPS

Man: What is this man...how do you get to be a VIP, why never invite me?

Me: Who are you man......?

Man: nvr mind, how do you become a VIP

Me: Become a sponsor..(a.k.a pay 20k at least)

*Man walks away disappointed*

Really man, the nerve of some people. Come from dunno where and ask how come he is not invited to become VIP...Tonite is another round of fireworks..hope there are less of such people

chris

2006-08-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

WORKING LIFE

Hey guys, haha sorry bout blogging once every 3 months, I'll try to make it more regular..Anywayz, I've started my new job at UNUSUAL Productions. If you find the name familiar, they do events and stuff.

Working is very tough, long hours on weekdays and often weekends are burnt. I think i really have the worst working hours, but oh well. I guess must really work harder to get into the groove although by the time i reach home, I'm totally exhausted.

Anyway, I wanna rant about something

You know how those toilet bowls have automatic sensors? Does anybody else besides me find that super blardy irritating? I mean, what the hell, most of the time before you're done, it flushes by itself and wets your arse....

Well, I'm sorry but I'd rather flush it myself, its not that difficult. They should have this automatic sensors, which detect human feet on the toilet seat using weight sensors. This means some irresponsible person is squatting on the seat.

The toilet bowl should then eject what the person has just put in, directly upwards with the force of a small volcano. I'm sorry uncles from the coffeeshop, but you're never too old to learn some courtesy.

CHRIS

2006-04-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

APOLOGIES

Wow, I just realised I haven't blogged for a long long time. Sorry bout that. I'm having a very very fulfilling semester in Perth at the moment and i stop and think all the time: when was I ever THIS contented?

Would be great if my darling was around, but since when does life go so smoothly.

Just thought I'd share abit on the easter camp that just passed a week ago.

Other then just refreshing myself on God's immense glory, it was great to see how God works in other ppls' lives. I think that is just as fulfilling as far as the experience went.

Although there were more people last year, I think we can thank GOd for the 11 people who came to know Jesus. Hope they will lead more fulfilling Christ-like lives.

AND Today I met Dex for one of the last few times, although I will be seeing him back in Singapore soon, I think its a great loss to Zion for him to go. Its rare you should see someone in an upfront ministry just get on with his duties and not desire any extra attention.

I wish him luck. One of God's humble servants.

Chris

2006-02-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

Roses are RED
Violets are BLUE
Let me save money
buy HDB for you....

2006-02-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

My babe..

2006-01-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

I've found HER.

2005-12-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

MERRY X'MAS EVERYONE

WIshing ALL my friends a great X'mas and hope you guys feel the x'mas spirit...

During this peroid, I would advise all of you to avoid ORCHARD road in order to preserve your sanity

Merry X'mas, Chris

2005-12-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

RESULTS ARE OUT

OK..firstly I'm not going to put what i got here. All I wanna say I'm very thankful that God has blessed me throughout last semester despite me not deserving it. I was kinda lazy last sem, couldn't wake up for class, but my grades were really beyond my expectations. They weren't brilliant but for the amt of effort i put in, it was pretty alright

Holidays still going fantastically well, I am going to be fat...seriously...seriously...I am petrified of being fat..hahaha..oh well..gotta get with the exercise thing

2005-12-06T14:23:00.000-08:00

DRIVING BACK HOME IS EXHAUSTING

Everyone is rushing, squeezing, jam braking...arghhhhh..not giving way....

And i'm beginning to find S'poreans overwhelmingly rude..you can hold the lift door for some random guy, he takes his time strolls in, and doesn't even say THANX.

You have kids just running along on the street, they just run into you and simply run off without saying a word...

Even the cleaners, when they're cleaning up the hawker centre, when you stand in their way they go....SIAM! OMG.....that has to take the cake. Just cause they're old, they think they can get away with everything.

Don't even let me get started on how ppl don't even let you get off the train before they try to get in...which is why i hate taking MRT.

Public toilets and dirty, filthy, with blackish slipper and urine marks on the seat.

BIG BIG spit residue on the floors of hawker centres..

Really, SINGAPORE is described as a sunny island with friendly people, well..its not true. The weather has been dark and gloomy and the manners of the general s'porean is appalling.

Well to the random singaporean who does any of the stuff I mentioned, i suggest you go home, rethink your life and consult your parents for any moral lessons they forgot to teach you.

2005-12-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

FIRST WEEK IN SG

Its been enjoyable, spending time at home, with my family and cats. Been going out with friends and eating great food. Right now, I feel so relaxed and I'm really relieved at the chance of just slacking around and spacing out..

My current priorities are firstly, to get my fitness back. I'm fat, YES I'm fat. I gained alot of weight in Australia this semester and I need to start running and hitting the gym more often. Well its kinda hard cause i eat like a Pig and sleep like a log..haha but I shall try.

This holiday is abit of a revelation, I realise that I need to make up my mind about alot of things and I'm putting it off. Thats just so me. But hey, I'll be back for 3 months. The weather has been terrible, its either raining or its cloudy, I don't think I've experienced a bright sunny day since I came home...

My learning experience in Perth this sem, I feel, has really made me a better person. In terms of interpersonal relationships and responsiblities. Finally, I've gone a full semester in Perth, and haven't been bored, which is amazing to most people. Ha, I probably will find it very hard to leave that place, when the time comes.

Anyway, to those people still in Perth, hope you guys are getting on well and I wish you guys the best of holidays...

Chris.

2005-11-16T11:15:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of a saying,
Those who were playing,
You don't know what you've got till its gone
Well that was my calling,
I knew I was falling into something that would be so wrong...

But I got hold of myself
and changed for the better
I cant get you outta my mind
Cause something inside made me realise you were far

Each time when we're alone
I guess I didn't know, how far we were apart
Should have spoken to my heart..

I guess I didn't know
That each time you go away I cry

I can't take all these goodbyes....

2005-11-15T11:09:00.000-08:00

Its called the S2000 and if I had the money, I would buy one. Its by no means a new car, I think the first model was released in 1999 but its a revolution. Honda finally produced another rear-wheel drive sports car aside from the ridculously priced NSX. It has 2 litre DOTC vtec engine which produces 240hp, and it revs to 9000. I would have one in this colour. Its not the fastest car in the world, but its one of the most beautiful..

2005-11-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

STUPID EXAM!!

I swear the media planning unit coordinator was trying to kill us today, by coming up with a ridiculous paper. IT WAS HARDDDDDDDDD....You know how finals usually don't have stuff that already came out in the MID SEM?? MY gosh....there was a whole big mass from the early part of sem. I think it caught everyone off guard. I could hear the collective sighs of frustration after everyone settled down with their paper.

Nevertheless, I SHOULD pass cause I could do most of it. But it was stressful because I was seriously lacking in the theory section. OH well..Well enough about my life because its seriously boring. I'm a very boring person who doesn't do much, I eat, sleep, study, watch anime, drive and thats about it..haha..

ANYWAY..I actually settled down to read some blogs and woah, some were dark....which got me thinking...

Its like kinda ez to slump into depression and a place like PERTH just aids the process I guess. BUt being happy is making the most of your surroundings right? HA, its tough I know, but i think i'm finally satisfied with PERTH. It sure took awhile though.

Sometimes you know in your heart that you're in the wrong, but pride stops you from saying sorry. Think about it.

2005-11-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

EXAMS EXAMS EXAMS

Today is the day which my exam commences, 14th of NOV...I begin with MEDIA PLANNING 250. How do I put this, I'm not afraid. I've studied and I know I've studied. And I can't do anymore because my brain is more saturated than the dead sea. I know God will protect me as i step into the examination hall later.

Finally, the semester is drawing to a close. It really hasn't been the easiest semester and boy, thats one helluva understatement. After this, only one more semester remains, oh man I'm already dreaming.

Despite being bz with stuff and all, I would say this sem I've really made quite a lot of good friends. Its been a great semester in that sense. In a driving sense I've improved too! hee hee. I realised that when i brake for a corner, I always brake too early. Now I know how to utilise the ABS more and brake abit later, which of coz, makes my lap times faster.

AIM FOR NEXT SEM : Left-foot braking to counter understeer....

2005-11-12T03:45:00.000-08:00

Delivering TOFU has its perks..hahaha..two poor undergrads rushing home after service to study for EXAMS....arghhh

2005-11-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

Was thinking back...to my army days...

Several memories still linger strongly in my 2 1/2 year jail term in SAF. As much as I didn't like it when i was in it, I can safely say that I learnt how to overcome anything and everything that came my way. I met some fantastic people, people who were nerds before coming into army, yet left as real men.

I wasn't a brilliant sergeant in the army, it was a small leadership role I played in the recce platoon in the 4th Singapore Infantry Regiment. Well, the problem is, I don't like telling people what to do, because I don't like getting told what to do. Haha. Thankfully, I was blessed with capable troopers (some were more capable than me), who were fairly cooperative.

Still remember on the hot afternoons, we would gather to play soccer, all the cursing, all the swearing...all the memories. I miss that. The mahjong sessions until 6am. I miss that. The chats we had when we were outfield in the darkness. I miss that. The deafening sound of rifles going off in the range. I miss that. Getting kicked around during P.O.W training. Dun really miss that.

Well, its proof that GOD brings light, even in the darkest of times..

One of my men asked me once "So sarge chris, what are you going to do after we get out?"

I replied "Don't have a clue..if only I didn't screw up my A's.."

The thing is now, I don't regret screwing up my A's, infact, it is probably one of the biggest blessings of my life. I got to come to Australia to study, to learn and to get reunited with CHRIST.

If only I knew then, what I know now.

SO don't dismiss the bad stuff that happens, it can be a blessing

2005-10-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

EXAMS LOOM!!!!!

Well, I've been camping out at the labs for a couple of nights now. I must say I don't regret going down because I actually got alot done, despite the presence of many friends. The people that are usually here are........Marcus, Ming Choon, Charlyn, Felica, Alvin, Andrew, Joey, Lynn.....well thats quite alot actually, heh.

I have one paper on the 14th of nov and my second one is on th 18th and for personal reasons, I'm not going to reveal when I'll be going back to Singapore. Haha, its a surprise for my friends who are back home..

My driving has improved so much since I started driving in Perth. I hope I don't lose what I learnt when i go back to Singapore and start driving autos again..haha..

Understeer or oversteer....choose..

2005-10-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

STRESS

This semester really challanged my will-power and resolve, I really wish I could have done alot better, and I should have. I don't know why, but as the semesters fly by, my resolve gets weaker and weaker. My will starts to fade...the changing point was probably last semester

I had two presentations and two assignments due that day, running around school, trying to do everything, really killed my love of learning. I think i suffered permernant brain damage that day.

This sem, just dragged my feet all the way. During one of my group projects, I felt I didn't contribute as much as I should, which was sad. But it really woke me up to reality, that if I'm going to graduate unscathed..I need better attitude to my studies..I can't depend on other people to help me through.

Well, I'm not depressed haha..but I'm going thru abit of a mental slump as of late. I really need something to inject fire and passion into me again. I know i'm getting abit old (although Dex and some other ppl might dispute this), but I'm gonna charge all the way until the end of sem

I place everything in HIS hands..

2005-10-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

OK..After Passion Leaders Training (PLT) I was at vic park Mcdonalds with Ben, Zhengyi, Sheryl, Jack, David and Charlyn. Some how or rather, we got into the topic of history. What some of the two girls said, really cracked me up. Here's what some of what Sheryl and Charlyn said...

Charlyn : Eh..didn't China take back Hong Kong by force??

Sheryl : I think Hong Kong was under Mao Zedong right??

Charlyn : Did the British colonise all its countries during world war two?

Sheryl : What? you mean there are actually TWO George Bush's??

Sheryl : Singapore is sort of independant right?? (yeah at least for the past forty years)

Zhengyi : No lah! World War Two is Japanese what! World War One then is Germans!

Sheryl : Didn't Isaac Newton invent the light bulb? (actually, he discovered gravity)

Sheryl : Who won the Vietnam war? Was it the Japanese? (dun think they were even involved can)

Sheryl : You mean pirates today actually carry guns ah? Do they look for treasure?

When asked which country coorporated with Germany besides Japan in WW2..Sheryl replied : AMERICA!! LOL

All the guys had a good laugh..

2005-10-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

Great..I just got a flat tyre today

Now i have to drive around with a spare tyre that is bright yellow in colour..

Why was there a nail on the road? I guess I will never know..

Could it be GOD is punishing me for speeding? No no cannot be...I rarely speed.

Spare tyre sucks...its so thin..and I have to drive carefully..

ARGGGHHHH SPEND MORE MONEY!!

2005-10-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

We have exceptionally bad taste in women..hur hur hur hur....

2005-10-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

Boon Wai, THE ladykiller on the dancefloor...

2005-10-01T05:17:00.000-07:00

I and Joey, Zion's Hong Kong mascot...

2005-10-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

Me and Yeemei (self proclaimed Mature woman)

2005-10-01T05:11:00.000-07:00

Malaysian and Singaporean Leng Zai's haha...They sell us water, we sell it back at a higher price...

2005-10-01T05:09:00.000-07:00

Bijia's first driving lesson....

2005-09-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

This PORSCHE hit a bird when going at 120 miles an hour. As you can see the bird totally smashed the windscreen and fragmented into tiny pieces. Now you all can understand why aeroplane engines can be destroyed by birds, since they fly ten times faster.

2005-09-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

This is ripped off sombody's blog...can't rem who's...haha..

7 things that scare me
Car crashes
Sharks
Overbearing women
Failing my stuff
Drowning
Heights
Reservist

7 things I like most about me
I can communicate well.
I can drive (fast)
I'm slower to anger nowadays
I help whenever I can
I can eat as much as I want without gaining too much weight
I am emotionally stable
I'm real, not fake

7 most impt things in my room
Myself
study lamp
Hugo boss
Contact lenses
Bed
Pillow
Dustbin

7 things i can do
Drive
Cook
Play games
Canoe
Table tennis
Badminton
Sleep long hrs

7 things I hate most about myself
disdain
bo chup
Ill disciplined
lazy
always feeling tired and sleepy
eat out way too often
I am severly crippled without a car

2005-09-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

Take care..

Well, as of afew hrs ago, Mel and Daryl left for Singapore. I know for sure they meant quite alot to many people and its really sad that they're going..but I guess you have to flow with where life takes you and i wish them all the best...

To Mel: Thanx for being a friend, a listening ear and someone who can be at times, brutally honest.heh. It was great being in your cell and despite ur occasional shortcomings in the punctuality department, it really was a pleasure. It wasn't so much of a working relationship, but i was more of a friendship which I will really cherish. You take care of yourself..and I know Singapore is a place that will make you more streetwise..heh..

To Daryl: Didn't exactly like you the first time I saw you..heh..but I know despite your dubioius appearence that you really take the effort to maintain good relationships with the people around you. Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend as much time as I liked to hang out and have a drink for you, but I'd like to thank you for the effort u put in to talk to me..take care dude..

Both of you, when i see you again, I hope you both are more punctual..heh =)