I'm a sucker for 80s music and 80s MTV and last week when I was in KL, there was a VH1 countdown on the top 40 awesomely bad love songs on the MTV Channel. I stayed up to watch and it was fun to hear the quirky comments from song writers, people in the music industry why those chosen songs are awesomely bad.
Here is the list, more than half of them are from the 80s, the cheesy period in music history.
I like some of them actually :)
40. Hero - Enrique Iglesias
39. Is This Love - Whitesnake
38. Joanna - Kool & The Gang
37. God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You - N'SYNC
36. You're The Inspiration - Chicago
35. The Search Is Over - Survivor
34. Get Here - Oleta Adams
33. Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
32. When You Close Your Eyes - Night Ranger
31. Heaven - Warrant
30. Suddenly - Billy Ocean
29. You Got It All - The Jets
28. Endless Nights - Eddie Money
27. Eternal Flame - The Bangles
26. All My Life - K-Ci & Jojo
25. Love Of A Lifetime - Firehouse
24. I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meatloaf
23. Rosanna - Toto
22. I Get Weak - Belinda Carlisle
21. When I See You Smile - Bad English
20. Oh Sherrie - Steve Perry
19. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You - Heart
18. High Enough - Damn Yankees
17. As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys
16. I Drove All Night - Celine Dion
15. All For Love - Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, Sting
14. I'll Be Loving You (Forever) - New Kids On The Block
13. The Flame - Cheap Trick
12. Sometimes - Britney Spears
11. To Be With You - Mr. Big
10. I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men
9. Hold On To The Nights - Richard Marx
8. I Need A Girl (Part 1) - P. Diddy & Usher
7. Love Somebody - Rick Springfield
6. Key Largo - Bertie Higgins
5. How Can We Be Lovers If We Can't Be Friends - Michael Bolton
4. Tonight I Celebrate My Love - Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
3. I Adore Mi Amor - Color Me Badd
2. Even The Nights Are Better - Air Supply
1. Truly - Lionel Richie
So think twice before you sing or dedicate any of the above songs to your loved ones :)
Happy Valentine's Day !
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Hong Bao time
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
To queue or not to queue
In the words of William Shakespeare, to queue or not to queue, that is the question :)
I have this incident to share during my recent KL trip.
I was put up at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, situated very near to the KL Sentral station, an interchange where you can commute easily using their different forms of train systems.
Over the span of five days, I use the following trains to get from site to site and it is really a good means of transportation, cheaper and faster than taking a cab.
On my very first trip taking their LRT, after getting down the stairs , I walked towards the yellow line and waited patiently for the train. As the train was abit late, I looked around and was abit shocked to see lines of people queuing! Didnt know they have such a 'system' to queue to get into the trains cos you know in Singapore, we like to queue for food, freebies, buy condos but NEVER for buses or MRT. I felt abit embarrassed cos I realised I was the only soul standing near the yellow line and everyone seems to be staring at me. With that malu look on my face, I went to join in the queue :) I observed this queueing happens in all the different LRT stations that I went to.
A few days later, I decided to go to another shopping mall and in order to reach there, I need to take the KLIA Transit, not the subway type. While making my way down to the train waiting area, I saw hoards of people crowding around the yellow line and there is no queues whatsoever. When the train arrives, everybody try to push and squeeze their way through to get into the train cabins.
Hmm, such double standards. Why can't they adopt a common standard, either queue for all or don't queue at all :)
Well, moral of the story: do as the Romans do.
I have this incident to share during my recent KL trip.
I was put up at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, situated very near to the KL Sentral station, an interchange where you can commute easily using their different forms of train systems.
Over the span of five days, I use the following trains to get from site to site and it is really a good means of transportation, cheaper and faster than taking a cab.
- KLIA Ekspres
- KL Monorail
- KLIA Transit
- KL LRT
On my very first trip taking their LRT, after getting down the stairs , I walked towards the yellow line and waited patiently for the train. As the train was abit late, I looked around and was abit shocked to see lines of people queuing! Didnt know they have such a 'system' to queue to get into the trains cos you know in Singapore, we like to queue for food, freebies, buy condos but NEVER for buses or MRT. I felt abit embarrassed cos I realised I was the only soul standing near the yellow line and everyone seems to be staring at me. With that malu look on my face, I went to join in the queue :) I observed this queueing happens in all the different LRT stations that I went to.
A few days later, I decided to go to another shopping mall and in order to reach there, I need to take the KLIA Transit, not the subway type. While making my way down to the train waiting area, I saw hoards of people crowding around the yellow line and there is no queues whatsoever. When the train arrives, everybody try to push and squeeze their way through to get into the train cabins.
Hmm, such double standards. Why can't they adopt a common standard, either queue for all or don't queue at all :)
Well, moral of the story: do as the Romans do.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Off to Kuala Lumpur
I am at Changi Aiport Terminal two now, at the same free Internet access station where I last blogged before I depart for my previous Beijing trip. Going KL this time, its a short trip, just 5 days to give training. Though KL is just next to Singapore, this is only my 2nd trip there, my first biz trip, earlier trip was a short weekend trip by overnight coach. I have not seen KLCC, Petrona Twin Towers etc, somehow it doesn't excite me to gaga, but anyway, since I will be there, hope can do abit of shopping, see anything nice and cheap to buy :)
Bengawan Solo outlet is just next to me, the 'soon kweh' is beckoning me to go take a bite, will go and get my soon kweh now!
Bengawan Solo outlet is just next to me, the 'soon kweh' is beckoning me to go take a bite, will go and get my soon kweh now!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Fortune Forecast Lunar 2007
Chinese New Year is less than 3 weeks away and as we await the Year of the Pig, take a look at your fortune for the year ahead. If its good, hope it will turn out well as predicted, if it's not that good, tell yourself your life is in your own destiny so take this forecast as a pinch of salt, ok? :)
Oink Oink, do you know how you fare in my lunar year?
Oink Oink, do you know how you fare in my lunar year?Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Oscars!
The Oscars nominations were just released yesterday! Here goes:
1. Best Picture:
"Babel," "The Departed," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Little Miss Sunshine," "The Queen."
2. Actor:
Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"; Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"; Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland."
3. Actress:
Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"; Helen Mirren, "The Queen"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"; Kate Winslet, "Little Children."
4. Supporting Actor:
Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"; Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"; Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"; Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed."
5. Supporting Actress:
Adriana Barraza, "Babel"; Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"; Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"; Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel."
6. Directing:
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Babel"; Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"; Clint Eastwood, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Stephen Frears, "The Queen"; Paul Greengrass, "United 93."
7. Foreign Language Film:
"After the Wedding," Denmark; "Days of Glory (Indigenes)," Algeria; "The Lives of Others," Germany; Pan's Labyrinth," Mexico; "Water," Canada.
Judging from the list, personally I think some categories like Best Picture, Actor, Director can be quite widely contested. I have not watched all the films but the Academy can be biased towards certain type of movies and may award the winners based on that.
For Best Picture, I think it will be a toss between Babel and Letters From Iwo Jima. The Departed is adapted from Hong Kong Infernal Affairs, so to me, it lacks credibility. Doubt a movie on The Queen will get the votes from the American for Best Picture, was surprised that they select it as one of the nominees, maybe just give face to show they are netural, must surely give The Queen some face :) Little Miss Sunshine is a light hearted indie film, won a number of film festivals awards last year, usually Best Picture they give to some heavy weight films so doubt it will get the nods from the panels of judges.
My take on the Best Actress category: Helen Mirren, without a doubt!
I enjoyed Little Miss Sunshine and if you have watched it, you will agree with me the 10 year old girl gave a jolly good performance! Not surprised to see her in the nomination list cos there isn't many strong contenders. For the Best Supporting Actress category, other than Jennifer Hudson who won the recent Golden Globes, this 10 year old Abigail Breslin may give Hudson a run for the little statue.
As for Best Actor, Forest Whitaker won in the Golden Globes, so he may be the favourite to win again. Not sure if the Academy will give a nod to Peter O'Toole, after all he is quite old and he did not win for Lawerence of Arabia back then.
Monday, January 22, 2007
What a little kid can teach you
"Accept what's broken, fix what you can, and adapt to what you can't, and in doing so, you discover new joys in simpler things".
- From Mr Brown's blog entry
Its true what a little kid can teach you.
We look at ourselves, at the people around us, when did we NOT complain/grumble when things don't work or did not meet our expectations?
Like the little kid, perhaps we should try to be a little patient and try not to complain so much about things cos I believe to every problem, there will always be a solution.
What do people usually complain about ?
These are what I can think of:
We complain about the hot weather, complain about the rainy days, complain about waiting, complain things cannot work etc etc
Why dont we look at the bright side of life?
when it's hot, we can tell ourselves to try to stay indoors
when it's raining, we should be glad that the weather is cooling
when clothes/shoes/household things is torn/stained/spoilt, take it as an excuse to buy new ones lah :)
When you are waiting in a long queue to see a doctor, pay at the cashier, order your food, make use of the time, listen to your music player, play with your phone, call a friend etc and time will pass by easily and you won't feel the pain of waiting
Here's a positive song I would like to share. Enjoy!
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (from Monty Python)
- words and music by Eric Idle
Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.
So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...
- From Mr Brown's blog entry
Its true what a little kid can teach you.
We look at ourselves, at the people around us, when did we NOT complain/grumble when things don't work or did not meet our expectations?
Like the little kid, perhaps we should try to be a little patient and try not to complain so much about things cos I believe to every problem, there will always be a solution.
What do people usually complain about ?
These are what I can think of:
We complain about the hot weather, complain about the rainy days, complain about waiting, complain things cannot work etc etc
Why dont we look at the bright side of life?
when it's hot, we can tell ourselves to try to stay indoors
when it's raining, we should be glad that the weather is cooling
when clothes/shoes/household things is torn/stained/spoilt, take it as an excuse to buy new ones lah :)
When you are waiting in a long queue to see a doctor, pay at the cashier, order your food, make use of the time, listen to your music player, play with your phone, call a friend etc and time will pass by easily and you won't feel the pain of waiting
Here's a positive song I would like to share. Enjoy!
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (from Monty Python)
- words and music by Eric Idle
Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.
So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...
Friday, January 19, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Chinese
Lately I have been trying to do some catching up on my Chinese history knowledge. . Perhaps it was the awakening that China is opening up and I feel compelled to improve myself. As a start, I'm slowly taking steps to practise blogging in Chinese, start with a few sentences first then hopefully can write more next time. I have a Shanghainese colleague who joined my department last year and I make it an effort to speak to him in mandarin to brush up my language skills. Almost all of my other colleagues spoke to him in English cos he studied in the States and have no problem to converse in English. In my last trip to Beijing, I also conversed with my chinese colleagues there in mandarin, learnt how certain terms is said or used, cos you realise in Singapore, most of the time, our chinese is "rojaked" with our local dialect, making it neither here nor there, or half-past six :)
I am starting to read up on Romance of the Three Kingdoms 三国演义, not the original version but the comic strip :) I have the Chinese and the English abridged versions, shameful ah, but cannot 一步登天, to me, it's more important to grasp the knowledge first.
I am starting to read up on Romance of the Three Kingdoms 三国演义, not the original version but the comic strip :) I have the Chinese and the English abridged versions, shameful ah, but cannot 一步登天, to me, it's more important to grasp the knowledge first.
Monday, January 08, 2007
My Tarot card
You are The Hierophant
Divine Wisdom. Manifestation. Explanation. Teaching.
All things relating to education, patience, help from superiors.The Hierophant is often considered to be a Guardian Angel.
The Hierophant's purpose is to bring the spiritual down to Earth. Where the High Priestess between her two pillars deals with realms beyond this Earth, the Hierophant (or High Priest) deals with worldly problems. He is well suited to do this because he strives to create harmony and peace in the midst of a crisis. The Hierophant's only problem is that he can be stubborn and hidebound. At his best, he is wise and soothing, at his worst, he is an unbending traditionalist.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.
Got this from my friend's blog. Do the test and see what you are :)
Hanoi 河内似曾相识
昨天早报副刊的周游世界介绍了河内的名胜地.我和老婆在2005五月曾到哪儿度假. 河内风景迷人,若有机会,你应该去一趟.
河内似曾相识
文／摄影 巴特尔(2007-01-07)
踏上越南这神秘的土地，内心受到极大的震撼，不因为她的美丽，也不是因为她的文化历史；让我震撼的是，她总在不经意间透露出与许多中国城市的惊人相似。
踏上越南这神秘的土地，内心受到极大的震撼，不因为她的美丽，也不是因为她的文化历史；让我震撼的是，她总在不经意间透露出与许多中国城市的惊人相似。
1 陌生城市的熟悉感
对越南的最初印象来自清末的黑旗军领袖刘永福，当时他在越南名声很大，同时他也联合清军一同取得清末极其罕见的“镇南关大捷”，大败法国军队。
之后，看过很多美国兵在越南的“糗像”，这些武器先进的西方列强，被手持镰刀斧头的矮小越南人打得狼狈不堪，最后退回美国。那时候，越南在我心中留下很深的记忆。
这一次，亲自踏上越南这块神秘的土地，内心却受到极大的震撼，不是因为她的美丽，也不是因为她的文化历史，让我震撼的是，她总在不经意间透露出与许多中国城市的惊人相似。
在河内的几天，是名副其实地休闲度假，吃饱就出去玩，玩累了就吃。整个人闲闲散散地在河内大街小巷，那么漫无目标地游荡，却觉得特别满足，似乎内心的堕落和惰性本质，在河内逐渐蒸发出来，一发不可收拾。
这其实不是因为度假的休闲心态所引发的，而是因为在河内这样一个陌生语言，陌生文化的环境里，居然有种似曾相识的感觉。这里有许多的地方，许多的生活细节，像足中国的某些城市，某些时代，某些故事。
在河内的街道上闲逛，不用担心后面的人会用各种动作或声音，向你的慢吞吞步伐表示不满，也不需要担心会迷路，更不用担心治安。
河内居民悠闲，和中国的许多中小城市类似，无论是挑着担子做买卖的，或者是三五成群散步的，你走在他们的前面，都不觉得有压力，而且即使他们超过你的时候，也会对你很友好地笑笑。
河内的街道也很整齐，市中心方方正正的，一点也不难走，尤其是走在热闹的地区，想迷路都难。整个河内的街道简单平直，偶尔还会看到古城门，有点像中国的城市格局。
而且像很多中国的城市一样，在街道上奔驰着各种各样的交通工具，一路走一路大声鸣笛。走在街道两旁的榕树林中，一点都不觉得浪漫。
2 西湖的惊喜
西湖上停满了天鹅踏船。
来到河内才发现，这里居然也有个西湖。怀着猎奇的心情去，一看，简直和杭州的西湖是孪生姐妹。湖边种满柳树，湖中间停着供游客租用的天鹅脚踏船，只是没机会上船看看，是不是同一工厂生产。
西湖，史称金牛湖，素有“河内第一风景区”之称，是河内的著名胜景，也是河内第一大湖。
历史上，早在李朝定都河内时，西湖就已成为河内最著名的游览胜地，从那时候开始，历代封建帝王陆续在西湖周围建起许多寺庙、宫殿。湖畔的古迹至今仍有镇武观、镇国寺、金莲寺等。
如今，湖面荡漾的游艇，湖边飘拂的丝丝绿柳，沿湖路上盛开的鲜花，熙熙攘攘的游客和来往行人，都为城市增添了绚丽的色彩与活泼的生气。
走在西湖的岸边，聚集着许多下棋的人群，很多盘棋一起展开，围观的人也相当多，走近一看，原来是在下中国象棋！
3 胡志明陵的长龙
街边可见当地人蹲坐尝小吃。
胡志明陵位于河内的巴亭广场，巴亭广场是越南举行重大政治集会与大型活动的场所，熟悉的感觉令人联想到北京的天安门广场。广场两侧是以陵墓为中心向两边展开的巨大观礼台，胡志明当年就是在这里宣读《独立宣言》，建立了越南民主共和国。
胡志明陵附近已于1991年建成胡志明博物馆，里面气势恢宏，图片、实物极其丰富，装饰也颇具现代化，这里展示胡志明自出国寻求报国之路，到他给越南人民写下具有历史意义的遗嘱的各个时期的活动。
胡志明的遗体同中国的开国领袖毛泽东一样，安放在水晶棺中，保存完好。去的时候刚好赶上越南的国庆节，在主席陵墓外排队的人群多得骇人，于是只能放弃这次机会，满怀遗憾地拍了广场和陵墓外观的图片。
在广场漫步，红旗飘飘，行人三五成群聚坐在广场上闲聊，几乎就是天安门广场的翻版故事。
4 文庙与镇武观
巴亭广场的胡志明陵。
在进入文庙之前，绝对没有想到在河内居然有一座纪录中国科举制度，在越南风行一时的盛况。
位于河内文庙街的文庙古建筑群是河内最重要的古迹。文庙坐北朝南，占地2万6000多平方米，气势恢宏。文庙的大拜堂正中高悬着一块写有“万世师表”四个大字的汉字匾额，匾上注明是“康熙御书”。正殿内设有孔子供桌，两侧奉祀中越两国先儒。
目前文庙的建筑大部分是17世纪黎朝的建筑。尽管经过多次重修，但文庙仍然保留着其古老的特色，保存着许多古老的文物。每年春节，文庙总是要举行几天十分隆重的祭祀活动，还要举行书法、下棋、吟诗、斗鸡、斗鸟等文化娱乐活动。
文庙以保存的“进士碑”而闻名，一只只活灵活现的石龟昂着头，驮着这一块块雕工精细的进士碑。
第一块进士碑已经被驮了500多年，这以后，每一次进士考试，便竖起一块石碑。在越南的历史上总共进行了110多次进士考试，由于战 乱，现在河内文庙只存有这82块进士碑。每块碑上部标有科举考试的时间、碑文的撰者、书者、雕刻者以及考取的进士名单。每一块碑不仅有重要的历史价值，而 且集书法艺术、雕刻艺术于一体，让人叹为观止。
镇武观，典型中国建筑
镇武观（Quan Tran Vo）位于巴亭广场以北，靠近西湖和竹帛湖。始建于公元11世纪李朝年间，是升龙三大观之一，也是河内最大的道教宫观。
步入观内，仿佛来到武当山的古道观内，熟悉的感觉扑面而来。观内有铸于1681年的“镇武真君”青铜像。像高3.7米，重达4吨。铜像立于一石龟背上，右手执一宝剑。
就连道观的传说也和中国的神话故事一般，越南人的传说是，从前有一九尾湖精，为害百姓，玉皇大帝派天神下凡，用神剑和法术镇伏湖精。越南历代君王均到此施法镇妖，这里是属于皇家的道观。观内古色古香，附近大树参天，环境清幽。
道观保留了许多连中国都已经开不到找不回来的古代文化遗产，这是我喜欢这座道观的最关键因素。
小小分享：从一罐可乐 看餐馆价位
去河内游玩，千万不要以为越南是比较落后的国家就一定“便宜”，如果你稍微大意一点，就可能有面对账单时的“惊讶”。
和刚刚开放的中国城市一样，去餐馆点菜要特别小心，因为许多经营餐馆的“个体户”还不知道如何正确面对改革开放，不知道如何留住来河内参观的游客，所以时常会出现猛“宰肥羊”的现象。
我在河内的几天找到一个小小的秘诀：去餐馆用餐，看菜单时，注意看我们最熟悉的可乐的价钱，一般上，价格公道的餐馆，可乐的价钱都少于一元美金，如果高于一元美金的菜单，其他菜的价格也同样偏高，有时候一餐的价格甚至贵过新加坡酒店的消费。
所以，在点菜前，看到可乐的价钱，就有了一个心理准备，如果你很有钱，当然没有问题了，如果你的旅程是要“斤斤计较”的就要选择那些可乐价钱少过一元美金的，那么一餐下来，新加坡钱20至30元就能吃得很满足了。
就以著名的越南咖啡来说，一杯咖啡能有多贵？常常是想也不想就坐下来点一杯，结果一天在一间小小的街边咖啡馆被狠狠地“宰”了一刀。结账的时候，发觉一杯咖啡比平时餐馆的还要贵上3倍左右。Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Pass it on
A new year has begun, I have been clearing leaves since 26th Dec and will get back to work coming Friday. During the last few days, I have started to do some spring cleaning. I went through my wardrobe and took out some of the old ones that I have "over-worn" :) During the Xmas and NY period, I managed to grab some good and cheap buys and they come in handy to replace those old ones. Some of these clothes are still very much in wearable condition and I will be passing them to my cousin, see whether he wants any of them or not. Have told my aunt that if there are any that my cousin do not fancy, I will donate them elsewhere.
I remembered when I was young, I will ask my mum to check with my aunts if my elder cousins have any clothes in particular tshirts that they do not want but still in good condition. I will "inherit" them and wear them at home or as casual wear. Also, whenever school term closes, I will also ask my cousins for their used textbooks, assessment books etc. I do not mind them being old at all, in fact I prefer it as my cousins will usually jot or highlight important stuff to take note of.
As I grew up, I somehow "evolve" to have a garung guni nature, haha. I start to collect old stuff, from stamps, first day covers, to CDs, DVDs, postcards, magazines, books ... the list goes on. Sometimes I will trouble my friends to help source for certain old CDs from flea market or ask them to get the Krisflyer magazine when they are flying.
You'll probably think "oh gosh, his house must be filled up with garage!" :) Well, I have mellowed over the years and have since gave away, sold away some of the stuff that have been collecting dust over the years. I find it very wasteful to throw away things like that so when its my turn to give away stuff, I will always choose the "pass it on" way, will try to find who needs what and will donate them. Just last night, I managed to bring out my kitchen wares, lay them out on the kitchen floor and go through with wife see which ones we do not need anymore. Managed to find an inheritor :) and have placed the goods nicely in a box and will pass it to my friend over the weekend.
With CNY just around the corner, and more spring cleaning to come, I hope you will do the same and help donate the unwanted stuff to someone who may need it more :)
I remembered when I was young, I will ask my mum to check with my aunts if my elder cousins have any clothes in particular tshirts that they do not want but still in good condition. I will "inherit" them and wear them at home or as casual wear. Also, whenever school term closes, I will also ask my cousins for their used textbooks, assessment books etc. I do not mind them being old at all, in fact I prefer it as my cousins will usually jot or highlight important stuff to take note of.
As I grew up, I somehow "evolve" to have a garung guni nature, haha. I start to collect old stuff, from stamps, first day covers, to CDs, DVDs, postcards, magazines, books ... the list goes on. Sometimes I will trouble my friends to help source for certain old CDs from flea market or ask them to get the Krisflyer magazine when they are flying.
You'll probably think "oh gosh, his house must be filled up with garage!" :) Well, I have mellowed over the years and have since gave away, sold away some of the stuff that have been collecting dust over the years. I find it very wasteful to throw away things like that so when its my turn to give away stuff, I will always choose the "pass it on" way, will try to find who needs what and will donate them. Just last night, I managed to bring out my kitchen wares, lay them out on the kitchen floor and go through with wife see which ones we do not need anymore. Managed to find an inheritor :) and have placed the goods nicely in a box and will pass it to my friend over the weekend.
With CNY just around the corner, and more spring cleaning to come, I hope you will do the same and help donate the unwanted stuff to someone who may need it more :)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Xmas decorations
Christmas is over and I am in the process of removing the decorations and keeping the Xmas tree. Share with you some pics that I took prior to the Xmas gatherings.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Christmas Spread
Wife and I hosted two Christmas gatherings back to back and that tired us out :) Managed to get enough rest while on leave so now time to update the blog.
We ordered the main 'course' from Cold Storage:
- Christmas Deluxe platter consisting of honey ham 1.5kg, honey ribs 1kg, sun dried tomato chicken breast 1.4kg
- a small and medium butterfly turkey, comes with stuffing and gravy.
The rest of the food were generously contributed by friends.
Take a look at the Xmas spread:
Xmas eve's turkey (small size)
Pasta (made by wife)
Stuffing
Honey baked ham
Salad (contributed by KL):
Sushi platter (contributed by Alvin, Tony, Carol):
Otak (contributed by Carol):
Japanese pizza (contributed by Alvin, Tony, Carol):
Curry chicken (made by Wee's mum):
Apple pie (made by Aik Bing):
Xmas eve's logcake (from Polar Cakes):
We ordered the main 'course' from Cold Storage:
- Christmas Deluxe platter consisting of honey ham 1.5kg, honey ribs 1kg, sun dried tomato chicken breast 1.4kg
- a small and medium butterfly turkey, comes with stuffing and gravy.
The rest of the food were generously contributed by friends.
Take a look at the Xmas spread:
Xmas eve's turkey (small size)
Pasta (made by wife)
Stuffing
Honey baked ham
Salad (contributed by KL):
Sushi platter (contributed by Alvin, Tony, Carol):
Otak (contributed by Carol):
Japanese pizza (contributed by Alvin, Tony, Carol):
Curry chicken (made by Wee's mum):
Apple pie (made by Aik Bing):
Xmas eve's logcake (from Polar Cakes):
Finland and Estonia
From 早报副刊 2006-12-25
芬兰Finland自游行 没淑女也没绅士的国度
文／潘星华
芬兰1808年被俄罗斯强占，1918年争取独立。1906年，芬兰继纽澳之后，在法律上给予妇女选举权和其他政治权利。当地女性独立自强，记者在当地逗留期间，发现芬兰旅游业上自旅游局处长、经理，下至地陪，几乎全是指挥若定、自信过人的女性。
今年6月游莫斯科和圣彼得堡回来，正被大俄帝国久远的历史、绚烂的文化和恢宏的版图慑服之际，8月又接到芬兰航空公司的邀请，有了到距离圣彼得堡不到300公里的芬兰首都赫尔辛基和不到400公里的爱沙尼亚首都塔林旅游的机会。
两次欧洲之旅，给我全然不同的感受。
委婉简朴的小国
如果说，俄罗斯大帝国是强悍的、霸权的、富于侵略性的，芬兰和爱沙尼亚两个小国则是委婉、简朴，看似孱弱，却坚韧不拔的。他们在被俄国和苏联征服过的同时，仍然坚守自己的语言文化，等待政权随时的回归。
芬兰自1808年被俄国强占，至1918年争取到独立；爱沙尼亚的政权曾经落在德国、丹麦、瑞典、波兰和俄国手中，这些都没有泯灭他们要求独立的心志。几经千辛万苦，爱沙尼亚共和国于1918年宣布独立，可是却在1940年再度被苏联侵占，直到50年后，苏联解体，爱沙尼亚才得以翻身。
芬兰于1995年加入欧洲联盟，爱沙尼亚则于2004年加入欧洲联盟。芬兰已是欧洲的富国，爱沙尼亚则在欧盟的协助下，正逐渐恢复自主国的光辉。
全无小鸟依人态势
来到芬兰，最引我注意的是芬兰女子的独立性和自强性。她们留给我最深刻的印象，是她们完全与男性平等、“我们是人”，而全无“我们是女人”那种小鸟依人，柔弱需要男性关注爱护的态势。
旅途除了招待我们芬爱之游的芬兰航空公司经理耶里·塔拉(Jere Tala)和波罗的海旅游会执行董事托马斯·米尔克（Thomas Mielke）是英俊潇洒的男士外，举凡旅游局处长、经理、各城市地陪，几乎全是孔武有力、指挥若定、自信心十足的女性。
带我们游览芬兰坦佩尔（Tampere）的莎丽（Sari Rinta），有一辆承载18人的小客车，她驾车的技术，自是稳当纯熟，搬起我们10个人沉重的行李，绝对是闲话一句，轻巧自如。39岁的她和丈夫在3年前创业，一起经营这门在她眼中看来很有前途的旅游行业。
男人不送花给女人
阅读资料，我了解到芬兰妇女在欧洲有很大的性别优势。1906年，芬兰成为继纽西兰（1893年）和澳洲（1902年）之后，在法律上给予妇女选举权和其他政治权利的世界第三个国家，同时也是欧洲第一个国家。
芬兰旅游局经理卡丽娜·佩尔科宁（Kaarina Pelkonen）
（59岁）感慨地对我说：“我们这里90-95%的女人是职业妇女，男女非常平等。正因为这样，在芬兰已没男人会送花给女人，芬兰的女人已经把芬兰绅士‘杀死’了。我们没有了温柔的淑女，也同时失去了有风度的绅士。”
卡丽娜仍然云英未嫁。她说：“年轻的时候，有男孩子在家门口等我，可是我的工作太忙，可以一个月不回家，怎么结婚？虽然我认为女人应该结婚，否则社会没有新生代，世界也没有希望。”
波罗的海旅游会执行董事托马斯（41岁）复杂的经历，最足以代表身处欧洲共同体，“大欧洲”时代的欧洲人。在东德一个距离柏林100公里的小镇出生的他，非常幸运地于1986年被派到直属苏联外交部的莫斯科国际关系学院学习，并被分配读芬兰语为第三语文。
1991年他毕业的时候，苏联已经解体，他到芬兰的歌德学院教德语，并且和一名芬兰女子结婚。9年后，他举家离开芬兰，搬到瑞典。目前，他的“波罗的海旅游会”，设在瑞典首都斯德哥尔摩。
和这名曾在莫斯科受大学教育，目前在瑞典工作的东德男士，谈起已经共有两女一子的芬兰太太。
他说：“我们俩是采用‘协商’的方式，经营这个家庭。我了解自己的意见并不全对，所以，总会听她的。平日，我也让着她。在北欧虽然男女平等，女人的薪水还是不及男人，她们在外面工作，要特别努力。”
新加坡直飞芬兰每天两班
亚洲经济的崛起，已使欧洲航空公司视为发展市场的契机。从今年10月26日起，芬兰航空公司每天已有两班飞机，从新加坡经曼谷，直飞芬兰首都赫尔辛基。
芬兰航空公司区域（新加坡、马来西亚、印尼）经理耶里塔拉（Jere Tala）对记者说：“亚洲和欧洲的旅游来往，每年正以7%的增长率增加。新加坡是我们亚洲发展战略的一个重要城市，我们深信未来有很大的扩展空间。增加新加坡飞往赫尔辛基的航班，让更多亚洲人飞往北欧、东欧、俄国和波罗的海国家，是我们占有更大亚洲市场的策略。”
他说，日本名古屋成为芬航的亚洲新站后，芬航在日本已有东京、大阪、名古屋三站，在东南亚则有新加坡、曼谷，在中国则有上海、北京、广州和香港等站。今年11月新添到印度首都新德里的站后，明年5月，吉隆坡将再加入芬航亚洲阵营。
耶里塔拉说，去年芬航总载客量是850万人。随着芬航在亚洲设立多个新站，预期这两年的载客量将有明显增加。
Estonia
一本“护照”看尽爱沙尼亚
我在爱沙尼亚（Estonia）的大学城塔突（Tartu），购买了一本名为《爱沙尼亚护照》的小册子。这本小册子，就以一本护照的形式出现。
在它的首页，除了要求我把照片、姓名、生日、性别等一切护照必须具备的资料填上，还有几行字，让人感动。
它说：“这本护照虽然不是官方文件，持有者却显示了对这个立足在爱沙尼亚土地上的国家，数百年为争取自由而奋斗的同情之心。这个国家是欧洲最古老的国家之一，有着5000年的历史，是欧洲具有独立主权的最小国家。”
掏钱购买这本仅值50爱币（约7元新币）的《护照》时，听旁边一名来自德国的旅游业者说：“要是美国护照，我才买。”幸好爱沙尼亚并没有“国穷志短”，后来一名马来西亚同行看了我手上这本以最精简的文字，图文并茂介绍爱沙尼亚的《护照》，也想购买一本时，已被告知售罄。
爱沙尼亚的首都塔林（Tallinn）是个有850年历史的城市。它的古城，堡垒处处，就算街上的小店，也保留了非常典雅朴实的古风，它已被联合国文教组织列为世界遗产，走在其中，仿佛走进时光隧道般，有时空交错之感。
这里到处可以听到芬兰语，可见芬兰游客之多。据说，距离这里仅75公里路的赫尔辛基人，每到周末就乘船来此购物、剪头发、补牙齿，就像新加坡人去新山，香港人去深圳那样。
我在赫尔辛基没两下子，用掉500欧元（约1016新元）。到爱沙尼亚去，我以100欧元换来爱币1500元，用了三天，还花不完。由此，我可以了解为什么芬兰人这么爱去塔林。
爱沙尼亚的大学城塔突，人口约有10万，大学生就占了2万5000人。建于1632年的塔突大学，是欧洲非常有名的大学。一名来自芬兰，就读生物科学的女生玛丽，原本对塔突一无所知。3年前到塔突大学来过一趟，就被这座大学城迷住。有心当兽医的她说，在塔突大学毕业后，还需要在芬兰读一年半的书，才能正式成为兽医。
她说：“我常告诉家乡朋友，到爱沙尼亚来，不要只在塔林停留，应该多走几步路，到塔突来。”
出行锦囊
芬兰
〉〉独立：1917年
〉〉加入欧盟：1995年
〉〉人口：520万人 （每平方公里17人）
〉〉面积：33万8145平方公里。欧洲第五大国家，69%森林、10%水域，有10万个小岛、19万个湖泊。
〉〉首都：赫尔辛基
〉〉货币：欧元
〉〉国教：基督教（路德教会）81%，东正教（2%）
〉〉官方语言：芬兰语（93%）、瑞典语（6%）
〉〉最骄人产品：诺基亚手机, 音乐家西贝辽斯
〉〉时间：比新加坡慢5小时
〉〉怎样去：乘芬兰航空公司，经曼谷，直飞赫尔辛基(12小时)
〉〉网站：www.visitfinland.com
爱沙尼亚
〉〉独立：1991年8月20日
〉〉加入欧盟：2004年5月1日
〉〉人口：136万人 （68%爱沙尼亚人、26%俄国人、2%乌克兰人、1%芬兰人、1%其他），每平方公里32人。
〉〉面积：4万5227平方公里
〉〉货币：爱沙尼亚币。100欧元＝1500爱币，100欧元＝202.25新元
〉〉首都：塔林（Tallinn）
〉〉与邻国距离：芬兰赫尔辛基85公里，俄国圣彼得堡395公里，瑞典斯德哥尔摩405公里
〉〉时间：比新加坡慢5小时
〉〉怎样去：乘芬兰航空公司飞机，到赫尔辛基(12小时)再转飞塔林（45分钟），或乘船去（2小时）。
〉〉网站：www.visitestonia.com
芬兰Finland自游行 没淑女也没绅士的国度
文／潘星华
芬兰1808年被俄罗斯强占，1918年争取独立。1906年，芬兰继纽澳之后，在法律上给予妇女选举权和其他政治权利。当地女性独立自强，记者在当地逗留期间，发现芬兰旅游业上自旅游局处长、经理，下至地陪，几乎全是指挥若定、自信过人的女性。
今年6月游莫斯科和圣彼得堡回来，正被大俄帝国久远的历史、绚烂的文化和恢宏的版图慑服之际，8月又接到芬兰航空公司的邀请，有了到距离圣彼得堡不到300公里的芬兰首都赫尔辛基和不到400公里的爱沙尼亚首都塔林旅游的机会。
两次欧洲之旅，给我全然不同的感受。
委婉简朴的小国
如果说，俄罗斯大帝国是强悍的、霸权的、富于侵略性的，芬兰和爱沙尼亚两个小国则是委婉、简朴，看似孱弱，却坚韧不拔的。他们在被俄国和苏联征服过的同时，仍然坚守自己的语言文化，等待政权随时的回归。
芬兰自1808年被俄国强占，至1918年争取到独立；爱沙尼亚的政权曾经落在德国、丹麦、瑞典、波兰和俄国手中，这些都没有泯灭他们要求独立的心志。几经千辛万苦，爱沙尼亚共和国于1918年宣布独立，可是却在1940年再度被苏联侵占，直到50年后，苏联解体，爱沙尼亚才得以翻身。
芬兰于1995年加入欧洲联盟，爱沙尼亚则于2004年加入欧洲联盟。芬兰已是欧洲的富国，爱沙尼亚则在欧盟的协助下，正逐渐恢复自主国的光辉。
全无小鸟依人态势
来到芬兰，最引我注意的是芬兰女子的独立性和自强性。她们留给我最深刻的印象，是她们完全与男性平等、“我们是人”，而全无“我们是女人”那种小鸟依人，柔弱需要男性关注爱护的态势。
旅途除了招待我们芬爱之游的芬兰航空公司经理耶里·塔拉(Jere Tala)和波罗的海旅游会执行董事托马斯·米尔克（Thomas Mielke）是英俊潇洒的男士外，举凡旅游局处长、经理、各城市地陪，几乎全是孔武有力、指挥若定、自信心十足的女性。
带我们游览芬兰坦佩尔（Tampere）的莎丽（Sari Rinta），有一辆承载18人的小客车，她驾车的技术，自是稳当纯熟，搬起我们10个人沉重的行李，绝对是闲话一句，轻巧自如。39岁的她和丈夫在3年前创业，一起经营这门在她眼中看来很有前途的旅游行业。
男人不送花给女人
阅读资料，我了解到芬兰妇女在欧洲有很大的性别优势。1906年，芬兰成为继纽西兰（1893年）和澳洲（1902年）之后，在法律上给予妇女选举权和其他政治权利的世界第三个国家，同时也是欧洲第一个国家。
芬兰旅游局经理卡丽娜·佩尔科宁（Kaarina Pelkonen）
（59岁）感慨地对我说：“我们这里90-95%的女人是职业妇女，男女非常平等。正因为这样，在芬兰已没男人会送花给女人，芬兰的女人已经把芬兰绅士‘杀死’了。我们没有了温柔的淑女，也同时失去了有风度的绅士。”
卡丽娜仍然云英未嫁。她说：“年轻的时候，有男孩子在家门口等我，可是我的工作太忙，可以一个月不回家，怎么结婚？虽然我认为女人应该结婚，否则社会没有新生代，世界也没有希望。”
波罗的海旅游会执行董事托马斯（41岁）复杂的经历，最足以代表身处欧洲共同体，“大欧洲”时代的欧洲人。在东德一个距离柏林100公里的小镇出生的他，非常幸运地于1986年被派到直属苏联外交部的莫斯科国际关系学院学习，并被分配读芬兰语为第三语文。
1991年他毕业的时候，苏联已经解体，他到芬兰的歌德学院教德语，并且和一名芬兰女子结婚。9年后，他举家离开芬兰，搬到瑞典。目前，他的“波罗的海旅游会”，设在瑞典首都斯德哥尔摩。
和这名曾在莫斯科受大学教育，目前在瑞典工作的东德男士，谈起已经共有两女一子的芬兰太太。
他说：“我们俩是采用‘协商’的方式，经营这个家庭。我了解自己的意见并不全对，所以，总会听她的。平日，我也让着她。在北欧虽然男女平等，女人的薪水还是不及男人，她们在外面工作，要特别努力。”
新加坡直飞芬兰每天两班
亚洲经济的崛起，已使欧洲航空公司视为发展市场的契机。从今年10月26日起，芬兰航空公司每天已有两班飞机，从新加坡经曼谷，直飞芬兰首都赫尔辛基。
芬兰航空公司区域（新加坡、马来西亚、印尼）经理耶里塔拉（Jere Tala）对记者说：“亚洲和欧洲的旅游来往，每年正以7%的增长率增加。新加坡是我们亚洲发展战略的一个重要城市，我们深信未来有很大的扩展空间。增加新加坡飞往赫尔辛基的航班，让更多亚洲人飞往北欧、东欧、俄国和波罗的海国家，是我们占有更大亚洲市场的策略。”
他说，日本名古屋成为芬航的亚洲新站后，芬航在日本已有东京、大阪、名古屋三站，在东南亚则有新加坡、曼谷，在中国则有上海、北京、广州和香港等站。今年11月新添到印度首都新德里的站后，明年5月，吉隆坡将再加入芬航亚洲阵营。
耶里塔拉说，去年芬航总载客量是850万人。随着芬航在亚洲设立多个新站，预期这两年的载客量将有明显增加。
Estonia
一本“护照”看尽爱沙尼亚
我在爱沙尼亚（Estonia）的大学城塔突（Tartu），购买了一本名为《爱沙尼亚护照》的小册子。这本小册子，就以一本护照的形式出现。
在它的首页，除了要求我把照片、姓名、生日、性别等一切护照必须具备的资料填上，还有几行字，让人感动。
它说：“这本护照虽然不是官方文件，持有者却显示了对这个立足在爱沙尼亚土地上的国家，数百年为争取自由而奋斗的同情之心。这个国家是欧洲最古老的国家之一，有着5000年的历史，是欧洲具有独立主权的最小国家。”
掏钱购买这本仅值50爱币（约7元新币）的《护照》时，听旁边一名来自德国的旅游业者说：“要是美国护照，我才买。”幸好爱沙尼亚并没有“国穷志短”，后来一名马来西亚同行看了我手上这本以最精简的文字，图文并茂介绍爱沙尼亚的《护照》，也想购买一本时，已被告知售罄。
爱沙尼亚的首都塔林（Tallinn）是个有850年历史的城市。它的古城，堡垒处处，就算街上的小店，也保留了非常典雅朴实的古风，它已被联合国文教组织列为世界遗产，走在其中，仿佛走进时光隧道般，有时空交错之感。
这里到处可以听到芬兰语，可见芬兰游客之多。据说，距离这里仅75公里路的赫尔辛基人，每到周末就乘船来此购物、剪头发、补牙齿，就像新加坡人去新山，香港人去深圳那样。
我在赫尔辛基没两下子，用掉500欧元（约1016新元）。到爱沙尼亚去，我以100欧元换来爱币1500元，用了三天，还花不完。由此，我可以了解为什么芬兰人这么爱去塔林。
爱沙尼亚的大学城塔突，人口约有10万，大学生就占了2万5000人。建于1632年的塔突大学，是欧洲非常有名的大学。一名来自芬兰，就读生物科学的女生玛丽，原本对塔突一无所知。3年前到塔突大学来过一趟，就被这座大学城迷住。有心当兽医的她说，在塔突大学毕业后，还需要在芬兰读一年半的书，才能正式成为兽医。
她说：“我常告诉家乡朋友，到爱沙尼亚来，不要只在塔林停留，应该多走几步路，到塔突来。”
出行锦囊
芬兰
〉〉独立：1917年
〉〉加入欧盟：1995年
〉〉人口：520万人 （每平方公里17人）
〉〉面积：33万8145平方公里。欧洲第五大国家，69%森林、10%水域，有10万个小岛、19万个湖泊。
〉〉首都：赫尔辛基
〉〉货币：欧元
〉〉国教：基督教（路德教会）81%，东正教（2%）
〉〉官方语言：芬兰语（93%）、瑞典语（6%）
〉〉最骄人产品：诺基亚手机, 音乐家西贝辽斯
〉〉时间：比新加坡慢5小时
〉〉怎样去：乘芬兰航空公司，经曼谷，直飞赫尔辛基(12小时)
〉〉网站：www.visitfinland.com
爱沙尼亚
〉〉独立：1991年8月20日
〉〉加入欧盟：2004年5月1日
〉〉人口：136万人 （68%爱沙尼亚人、26%俄国人、2%乌克兰人、1%芬兰人、1%其他），每平方公里32人。
〉〉面积：4万5227平方公里
〉〉货币：爱沙尼亚币。100欧元＝1500爱币，100欧元＝202.25新元
〉〉首都：塔林（Tallinn）
〉〉与邻国距离：芬兰赫尔辛基85公里，俄国圣彼得堡395公里，瑞典斯德哥尔摩405公里
〉〉时间：比新加坡慢5小时
〉〉怎样去：乘芬兰航空公司飞机，到赫尔辛基(12小时)再转飞塔林（45分钟），或乘船去（2小时）。
〉〉网站：www.visitestonia.com
Friday, December 22, 2006
Anniversary
Today is our 1st wedding anniversary, how time flies. However we have a wedding dinner to attend tonight so wife and I will celebrate tomorrow instead. Today being a Friday and Xmas is just around the corner, many colleagues are clearing their leaves. I took the company bus to office this morning and there were like 10 souls on the bus! :) I took leaves for the whole of next week so won't be back in office till Jan 2007.
If you happen to bump into me in my morning journey to work, you will see me at the bus stop, plugged with my earphones, listening to the radio. Perhaps its coincidental, this morning, I heard one of our wedding montage song played on the radio!
Share it with you here, enjoy :)
For your babies by Simply Red (Video Montage song)
Lyrics:
You've got that look again
The one I hoped I had when I was a lad
Your face is just beaming
Your smile got me boasting, my pulse roller- coastering
Any way the four winds that blow
They're gonna send me sailing home to you
Or I'll fly with the force of a rainbow
The dream of gold will be waiting in your eyes
You know I'd do most anything you want
Hey I, I try to give you everything you need
I can see that it gets to you
I don't believe in many things
But in you I do
Her faith is amazing
The pain that she goes through contained in
The hope for you
Your whole world has changed
The years spent before seem more cloudy
Than blue
In many ways your baby's controlling
When you haven't laid down for days
For the poor no time to be thinking
They're too busy finding ways
You know I'd do most anything you want
Hey I, I try to give you everything you need
I’ll see that it gets to you
I don't believe in many things
But in you I do
You know I'd do most anything you want
Every day I, try to give you everything you
Need
We'll always be there for you
I don't believe in many things
But in you I do
If you happen to bump into me in my morning journey to work, you will see me at the bus stop, plugged with my earphones, listening to the radio. Perhaps its coincidental, this morning, I heard one of our wedding montage song played on the radio!
Share it with you here, enjoy :)
For your babies by Simply Red (Video Montage song)
Lyrics:
You've got that look again
The one I hoped I had when I was a lad
Your face is just beaming
Your smile got me boasting, my pulse roller- coastering
Any way the four winds that blow
They're gonna send me sailing home to you
Or I'll fly with the force of a rainbow
The dream of gold will be waiting in your eyes
You know I'd do most anything you want
Hey I, I try to give you everything you need
I can see that it gets to you
I don't believe in many things
But in you I do
Her faith is amazing
The pain that she goes through contained in
The hope for you
Your whole world has changed
The years spent before seem more cloudy
Than blue
In many ways your baby's controlling
When you haven't laid down for days
For the poor no time to be thinking
They're too busy finding ways
You know I'd do most anything you want
Hey I, I try to give you everything you need
I’ll see that it gets to you
I don't believe in many things
But in you I do
You know I'd do most anything you want
Every day I, try to give you everything you
Need
We'll always be there for you
I don't believe in many things
But in you I do
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Remembering Joseph Barbera
Joseph Barbera, co-founder of Hanna- Barbera Studios and creator of Oscar-winning characters Tom and Jerry as well as Huckleberry Hound and the Flintstone family, died on 18th Dec of natural causes at home. He was 95.
Unless you are living in a cave, you must have seen one of Hanna-Barbera's cartoons. Notable ones are Flinstones, Scooby-doo, Yogi Bear, Smurfs, Jetsons, Atom Ant, Tom & Jerry, Popeye and many more. Personally these are my favourites:
Wacky Races - If you can remember, there are a few teams to compete who finished the race first. There is this villian team ,the guy with the red/blue hat and the doggie with a cynical laugh (goes something like hee hee hee hee) will always dish out dirty tricks and tactics to foil other teams's plan. The DVD is out, it's on my waiting list :)
Scooby-doo needs no introduction. Who can forgot the Scooby-doo bee where are you theme :) In the later part of the series, they introduced Scooby little nephew Scrabby-doo. Both have signature tunes, Yabba yabba doo and puppy power! :)
Super Friends - The original series were produced by Hanna-Barbera and the characters were under license from DC Comics.
See you can recognise any of the cartoon characters from the following pics:
Unless you are living in a cave, you must have seen one of Hanna-Barbera's cartoons. Notable ones are Flinstones, Scooby-doo, Yogi Bear, Smurfs, Jetsons, Atom Ant, Tom & Jerry, Popeye and many more. Personally these are my favourites:
Wacky Races - If you can remember, there are a few teams to compete who finished the race first. There is this villian team ,the guy with the red/blue hat and the doggie with a cynical laugh (goes something like hee hee hee hee) will always dish out dirty tricks and tactics to foil other teams's plan. The DVD is out, it's on my waiting list :)
Scooby-doo needs no introduction. Who can forgot the Scooby-doo bee where are you theme :) In the later part of the series, they introduced Scooby little nephew Scrabby-doo. Both have signature tunes, Yabba yabba doo and puppy power! :)
Super Friends - The original series were produced by Hanna-Barbera and the characters were under license from DC Comics.
See you can recognise any of the cartoon characters from the following pics:
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Christmas Time!
This is my personal favourite Xmas song, not one of those traditional ones but its a rare hit by my favourite singer Bryan Adams.
Christmas Time - Bryan Adams (this is not the original MTV but a clip done up nicely by a fan, check it out):
Lyrics:
We waited all through the year
for the day to appear
when we could be together in harmony
You know the time will come
peace on earth for everyone
and we can live forever in a world where we are free
let it shine for you and me
There's something about Christmas time
something about Christmas time
that makes you wish it was Christmas everyday
To see the joy in the children's eyes
the way that the old folks smile
says that Christmas will never go away
We're all as one tonight
makes no difference if you're black or white
'cause we can sing together in harmony
I know it's not too late
the world would be a better place
if we can keep the spirit more than one day in the year
send a message loud and clear
[Chorus:]
It's the time of year when everyone's together
we'll celebrate here on Christmas day
when the ones you love are there
you can feel the magic in the air - you know it's everywhere
There's something about Christmas time
something about Christmas time
that makes you wish it was Christmas every day
To see the joy in the children's eyes
the way that the old folks smile
says that Christmas will never go away
[Repeat chorus]
Please tell me Christmas will never go away
Take a sleigh ride to Loon's Lagoon to listen to my other favourite Xmas tunes!
Christmas Time - Bryan Adams (this is not the original MTV but a clip done up nicely by a fan, check it out):
Lyrics:
We waited all through the year
for the day to appear
when we could be together in harmony
You know the time will come
peace on earth for everyone
and we can live forever in a world where we are free
let it shine for you and me
There's something about Christmas time
something about Christmas time
that makes you wish it was Christmas everyday
To see the joy in the children's eyes
the way that the old folks smile
says that Christmas will never go away
We're all as one tonight
makes no difference if you're black or white
'cause we can sing together in harmony
I know it's not too late
the world would be a better place
if we can keep the spirit more than one day in the year
send a message loud and clear
[Chorus:]
It's the time of year when everyone's together
we'll celebrate here on Christmas day
when the ones you love are there
you can feel the magic in the air - you know it's everywhere
There's something about Christmas time
something about Christmas time
that makes you wish it was Christmas every day
To see the joy in the children's eyes
the way that the old folks smile
says that Christmas will never go away
[Repeat chorus]
Please tell me Christmas will never go away
Take a sleigh ride to Loon's Lagoon to listen to my other favourite Xmas tunes!
Monday, December 18, 2006
Christmas mood
It's just less than a week to Christmas and am starting to feel the Christmasy mood :) Radio stations starts to play Xmas songs, shopping malls all dolled up with nice Xmas decos, no snow but lots of rains lately and the cool weather all help liven the mood here in the tropics.
To me, probably what brings out the mood are the Xmas songs. You can't help but sing or hum to it when you hear the tunes played on the radio or when you entered a shop. Music is never lacking in the house and when I'm cleaning or tidying the house, I will play some cds or switched on the radio. Since Xmas is drawing near, I have also start to play some Xmas cds.
One of them is this Charlie Brown CD, a birthday gift from my friend KL.
Incidentally I got this mailer from Borders this morning in my inbox and this CD is one of their recommendations. Share with you their review:
Will be inviting group of friends for dinner + gathering on both Xmas eve and Xmas day itself. Besides the food, I will try to be a good DJ and play some nice Xmas music selections :)
To me, probably what brings out the mood are the Xmas songs. You can't help but sing or hum to it when you hear the tunes played on the radio or when you entered a shop. Music is never lacking in the house and when I'm cleaning or tidying the house, I will play some cds or switched on the radio. Since Xmas is drawing near, I have also start to play some Xmas cds.
One of them is this Charlie Brown CD, a birthday gift from my friend KL.
Incidentally I got this mailer from Borders this morning in my inbox and this CD is one of their recommendations. Share with you their review:
 | ||
 |  | Only the Grinchiest among us could resist the charm of Vince Guaraldi's delightful A Charlie Brown Christmas. With bouncing, jazzy takes on traditional songs, as well as originals like the cascading piano magic of "Skating" or the rolling beginning of "Linus and Lucy," it infuses everything from decorating cookies to setting the table with a festive spirit. Recently reissued with four alternate takes, the album remains a perfect holiday accompaniment. |
 | Audio: Listen to Christmas ls Coming |
 | PDF: The Making Of A Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack |
Will be inviting group of friends for dinner + gathering on both Xmas eve and Xmas day itself. Besides the food, I will try to be a good DJ and play some nice Xmas music selections :)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Off to Beijing!
Here I am, at the airport, waiting for my flight to Beijing to attend a training. I arrived at about 7am, breezed through the new check-in terminals, yes no more queues! This is the first time I tried to use this self check-in terminals, the airport personnel was very helpful and I asked him why are people still queuing, he said with a smile "perhaps, they are not so convinced of the service yet". I guess so but when I looked at the queue of about 50 people waiting in vain for their turns to check-in, I think to myself, let's embrace technology to serve ourselves better.
I was wrong to think that 7am is too early in the airport business, once I passed through the passport control, you see travellers buzzing around, having their breakfast, typing away on the free internet terminals, shopping, and I can just hear the cashiers ching-ching all the way :) 7am is indeed not early as I see that there are alot of flights going to other parts of Asia in the early morning so our Changi Airport is really like an airport that never sleeps.
It is always a nice experience for me to be at the airport, just before departure, I will look for the Bengawan Solo outlet to have my good old favourtie soon-kwey but alas today seems too early, the soon-kwey not ready. I am a Teochew boy at heart so you can't take away the soon-kwey from me, it is something that other kweys cannot replaced, hee hee.
Gotta go to departure gate now, flight departing in 30mins time!
I was wrong to think that 7am is too early in the airport business, once I passed through the passport control, you see travellers buzzing around, having their breakfast, typing away on the free internet terminals, shopping, and I can just hear the cashiers ching-ching all the way :) 7am is indeed not early as I see that there are alot of flights going to other parts of Asia in the early morning so our Changi Airport is really like an airport that never sleeps.
It is always a nice experience for me to be at the airport, just before departure, I will look for the Bengawan Solo outlet to have my good old favourtie soon-kwey but alas today seems too early, the soon-kwey not ready. I am a Teochew boy at heart so you can't take away the soon-kwey from me, it is something that other kweys cannot replaced, hee hee.
Gotta go to departure gate now, flight departing in 30mins time!
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