Merlion in AMK

Went cycling ard 3 am and a little surprise from Ang Mo Kio Estate - 2 miniature merlion statues..

 

Guess, Merlion Park near Esplanade isn't the only place to see merlions =P

Goes to show little treasures are just ard corner if we know where to look =)

Nice Quotes from Recent Shows

Some interesting (and quite applicable to life) quotes from recent shows that i watched. =)

Heroes - Hiro Nakamura: "You don''t need super powers to be a hero"

Rocky Balboa - Rocky Balboa: "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

Bridge to Terabithia - Leslise Burke: "Just close your eyes and keep your mind wide open."

Bridge to Terabithia - Leslise Burke: "You are who you are - not your parents."

Ghost Whisperer - Melinda Gordon: "What happens to these people in their last moments, it really matters."

Tales from EarthSea - ゲド戦記

ゲド戦記 (loosely translated as Ged's War Chronicles) is produced by the Studio Ghibli, the studio who brought us the much acclaimed films such as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Grave of the Firefiles and My Neighbor Totoro.

However, the film was directed by first-timer Gorō Miyazaki, son of Hayao Miyazaki and the difference in style is quite noticeable. It is somewhat lacking in warm sentimentality that was present in some of Ghibli's earlier film.

The film was loosely based on the 3rd and 4th book of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series. If you read the book prior to watching the film, you will find that some characters and some scenes were followed closely (including the dialog) but that was where all the similarities ended. The plot on the whole was pretty much on its own. The author's response sums it all up - Response by Le Guin

Even so, as a film itself, i must say it was quite enchanting and enjoyable. Spirited Away was the sort of anime that deserves 5 full ticks and i would rate this film about 4 & 1/2 ticks. =)

思念是一種病

这次只唱情歌 - 張震嶽。

Overall album's good, some of the tracks are still a little too rap or rock for my liking. But when he goes slow rock, his act just came together beautifully. Music is strong with a solid bass and the lyrics are subtle and meaningful.

Some of tracks i pretty much enjoyed -
Track 03 路口
Track 04 很難 (esp this number)
Track 06 孤獨的夜哨
Track 07 再見
Track 08 小宇
Track 11 再見 ~ 真情版

Lyrics for 很難 =)

又一天的一个晴天
阳光印在这张旧沙发
躺下来闭上眼
恍然不知寂寞枕着蔓延
昨天的激情今天的空虚
还有一张惨白的脸慢慢改变

一杯水和一支香烟
混合安静孤独的气味
是纯情是谎言
星期天的早晨别太绝对
疯狂的世界不想这些
锁在门之外

有时候想把自己关起来
还是学着把心门拉开
人与人之间的关系变得不理不睬
习惯无关紧要的冷淡

又一天的一个晴天
阳光印在这张旧沙发
躺下来闭上眼
恍然不知寂寞枕着蔓延
昨天的激情今天的空虚
还有一张惨白的脸慢慢改变

一杯水和一支香烟
混合安静孤独的气味
是纯情是谎言
星期天的早晨别太绝对
疯狂的世界不想这些
锁在门之外

有时候想把自己关起来
还是学着把心门拉开
人与人之间的关系变得不理不睬
习惯无关紧要的冷淡
有时候莫名其妙哭起来
难道这就是自愿自挨
谁不希望像飞鸟一样自由自在
谁不希望啊
谁不希望只是很难

有时候想把自己关起来
还是学着把心门拉开
人与人之间的关系变得不理不睬
习惯无关紧要的冷淡
有时候莫名其妙哭起来
难道这就是自愿自挨
谁不希望像飞鸟一样自由自在
谁不希望啊
谁不希望只是很难

Rat-a-too-ee

Yes, it's a rat film but in many ways the film is more humane than most of the shows we see nowadays. Lots of values and moral teachings are embedded within the film but one stands out as the main.

The one qoute - Anyone can cook - is repeated throughout the film. The true meaning of this qoute by the great chef Gusteau is finally revealed by the ultimate food critic Ego at the end of the film. Wanna know? Watch the film and take my word for it, its worth it. It's a ratty film but i'm not gonna rat on it. =)

Official Website - Ratatouille

My first Holga

Just bought my first Holga camera 2 days back, hopefully i will be able to try it out this weekend. Oh.. in case, you have no idea what a Holga is - you can click here to find out more.

A brief intro -

It's a little toy plastic camera with plastic lens, very poorly built and you have almost no control on how the picture will turn out to be when you sent it for developing. Sometimes you might get nothing out of the whole roll of film or every shot is a masterpiece.

Simply said, its a camera where one simply have fun at taking pics without having to give a further thot about the usual guides and rules that binds conventional photography and learn to expect the unexpected, that is to say, don't expect at all!

Bridge to Terabithia

The Bridge to Terabithia - a truly heart-wrenching experience to a magical land that can only be built with the power of imagination and love.

Jess, the son of a small time farmer, was mostly by himself in school as he dwells in his own world surrounded by drawings of imagination. Things change when a new classmate, Leslie transferred to the school. Leslie was not too unlike Jess, she often lived in her own world of imagination created and relayed through her flair with words.

Both were neighbours separated by a road, living on their own plot of land near the woods. Although the friendship started off on an uneasy note but it grew as time goes and they became each other's best friend. Tired of being bullied in school and neglected at home, they escaped into the woods, to a place that belongs only to them and no one else.

Leslie, a very beautiful girl as she is both outwardly and inwardly, opened up Jess's mind to a magical kingdom, the kingdom of Terabithia. A secret land that belongs to them truly and where all became possible. Their love for each other, powered with imagination took them to places and experiences that they can proudly say its theirs and no one else.

When everything was going so wonderfully for them, Jess lost Leslie to an unfortunate accident while Jess was out with his teacher on a school trip. Jess went into a state of shock and denial as he couldn't bring himself to believe the fact that Leslie was gone. But the love of Leslie was strong in him, along with the love of his family and advice from his father, he learnt that despite all, Leslie still live in his heart.

With that, he rebuilt Terabithia, the way he knew best to remember Leslie - through a world they built that belongs to them and all who believe in the magic of love and imagination.

This is the link to the Official Website.

I'm not too sure why but somehow i felt a kindred to the film. It brought laughters and smiles to see such love and bond between the two of them. And it brought tears to my eyes when Jess learnt that Leslie was no longer around and it still does now when i think of the scence again.

Couple of Quick Updates

Just finished laying out Ling & Lawrence's coffeetable book for their wedding day and sent it for prints. 1st time doing such layout, so hopefully the prints turn out as good as they looked on screen. =)

It's the second week with my new colleagues and so far, been learning lots of new stuff from them. Work's really fast-paced there and learning curve is really steep especially for the people in London shift due to the high volume of work.

ICT in September has been cancelled as our unit performed very well in the recent overnite exercise during end June. Good news for me - i can concentrate on work without taking time off for ICT especially now that i'm on probation.

Ling's Gettin Married! =)

Ling, one of my closest friend, is getting married in a couple of hours! Yup, a whole day event, traditional, ROM and dinner all in one day, 07/07/07. Blessings to you Ling if you happen to read this. =)

Anycase, just got back from my London shift abt an hour ago, and now its already abt 2 plus in the mornin. Haha, i'm still charging my batts for Ling's big day. Dun think i have time to charge the batts for my F828 which i usually bring as a backup cam in case my Alpha fails.

Just gotta trust my Alpha =) and its not really gonna matter if i bring backup cam or not since i'm not the main photographer. Will be there just to back the main up in case of some unplanned incidents, but more than likely, i will be having fun capturin all the candids for the day! =)

Me poppin the bed soon, gotta wake up in less than 5 hrs time. Gonna be a busy day! =)

First Shift

Officially started with the bank this monday but like most of the staff in Credit Suisse, i have to go thru an induction program. Mine was a 3 day program which happens to be over today, so i will be meeting my team members officially tmr, thursday. =)

Will be starting on the London shift, meaning my official work hours for the next few months will be from 3pm to 12am. Didn't really expect to start so quickly on shift work but since my buddy (the one who referred me into the bank) happens to be on London shift, it will be easier for me to tag with someone i know rather than someone i don't.

Guess i might be able to meet up with some of you for lunch one of these days before i hit work =)

Search for Happiness

The search for happiness, everyone's looking for it but have you ever wonder where it can be found as we constantly pursue it? and more importantly is the happiness that we pursue now truly worth the efforts we have expounded?

Disagree with me? You may argue that not everyone is looking for happiness since if everyone is really looking for happiness, then self-mortification, suicides will not happen. Look deeply, when people do such extreme acts, they are essentially looking for happiness even though it may be a deluded type of happiness they are going after. It's only simply a matter of their mind deluding them that they can be better or happier off dead or by committing acts to hurt themselves.

It is the same for people who take intoxicants such as drugs, alcohol, smokes; people who party through out the nite till the dawn; people who food binge. They just simply think that they are happier that way. But the fact remains - are they truly happy and will they have a sense of fulfillment when all these are over?

I seriously think not. Most of the time, they just end up feeling more empty innerly and crave for more to fill up this ever growing sense of emptiness. Most of us forget that this sense of emptiness can never be filled in such a manner. Emptiness as such can only be filled with a sense of harmonious inner self.

How do we attain such harmonious state of mind? We all know the answer - be more at peace with your surrounding and you will naturally be peace with yourself. How can we do so? For a start, we can always look at the five silas (precepts) that the historical buddha laid down more than 2500 years ago for the lay disciples or anyone (regardless of religion) who has a sincere wish to be happier. =)

1) Do not kill or injure deliberately - when we refrain from such acts for even the smallest insects, we naturally develop metta (loving kindness), a great healing force.

2) Do not steal or obtain property or the rights of others through unskillful means - when we do not take what is not ours (including the credit of others and learning to give credit where it is truly due), we learn to respect the rights of one another.

3) Do not speak falsely and maliciously - doing so we learn to be mindful of our speech and conduct and to be firm in what is the truth in a loving manner without being overly aggressive.

4) Do not engage in unhealthy relationships - keeping this in mind, we become faithful to our partners, treasure the ones that we have currently and will not cause unnecessary suffering.

5) Do not intake intoxicants or partake in mind dulling activities - refrain from such will keep the mind sharp and firm and thus helping to lessen or even remove any doubts about ourselves and others.

So, this is my path, is this yours too? I hope it is and may you always be well and may you always be happy.

Dukkha muccantu, Yattha-laddha-sampattito, Mavigacchantu kammassaka - May all be free from suffering, May all that is gained not be lost, All are owners of their own kamma.=)

Changi Naval Base Open House 2007

RSS celebrates its 40th year and opens up Changi Naval Base to the public on 26th May, showcasing some of its naval fleet.

Although an open house as such did not come by frequently but to me the stars of the day was not the ships or boats. It was the little ones, my god-daughter and her baby brother. It was a good day spent with my god-daughter and her family.

Haha, i almost got into her bad books cos i reminded her a few times to take a cue from her little bro and eat more as she looks a little undersized for a 6 year old. But she forgave me quickly cos i made her feel like a little princess, by giving in to her request and carrying her in my arms the whole day. =)

Will let my fotos say the rest of the story.

The fotos can be found here Navy Open House

Iwo Jima

Recently purchased 2 dvds from Gramphone - Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima.

Both films were directed by Clint Eastwood and were meant to be complementary films as they both revolve around the 35 days battle of Iwo Jima during WWII, one from the perception of americans and the other from the japanese.
It shows how different reality can be when it is viewed thru different people of differing mindsets. Even within the americans and japanese themselves, their views can differ greatly.

More importantly, the 2 films presented the frontline soldiers in most down to earth manner; they did not think of themselves as heroes. Both the americans and japanese alike, most of what they wanted was to stay alive, to make it home to their families if ever possible.

Nothing heoric about the main cast of both films and this is what made it truly compelling and moving, more real life than reel life. =)

Vesak Day

What is Vesak Day?

Vesak Day is a day where buddhists worldwide commemorate the day when the historical Buddha attained his enlightenment and started his lifetime work to spread the message of love and compassion more than 2500 years ago.

To commemorate the significance of Vesak Day, it takes more than just visiting temples for prayers and offerings. We need to reflect upon the wisdom of the Buddha and his teachings, teachings that will lead us to live our every living day with more wisdom, joy and love.

What is the core aspect of his teachings we can reflect on this day?

Nature of impermanence of all phenomena. What is in the nature to rise, is in the nature to fall. There is nothing or anyone that is born of this world that is not subjected to growth and decay. If we can constantly reflect upon this, we will learn to make the best of our lives and constantly make an effort to better it for people around us and ourselves.

Quoting Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, "If we really understood and remembered that life was impermanent, we would do everything we could to make the other person happy right here and right now. If we spend twenty-four hours being angry at our beloved, it is because we are ignorant of impermanence"

Reflecting further, we will also understand the phenomena of the mind rise and fall too. And since suffering is a state of mind, we should remind ourselves constantly that it is impermanent and no suffering is too great that it will not pass with time. This will strengthen our faith, faith in the Four Noble Truths.

1) There is suffering in life
2) There is a cause of suffering
3) There is the cessation of suffering
4) There is a path that leads to the cessation of suffering

Contemplate on the Four Noble Truths and we will gain a better insight to how life works and in time to come, a wiser and more loving approach to life itself.

Happy Vesak Day! =)

Eventful Week Gone By

It has been quite an eventful week and with some decisions made that will bring me into another phase in life. =)

I've signed the letter of offer with Credit Suisse on tuesday and will be officially be joining them in early july. It was a most excellent offer they made to me and with that, i think of it as a great start to a whole new learning and working experience in a brand new environment.

Having secured the position and at better ease since one load is off the mind, i did my risk strategy paper on thursday morning with the rest of the CIMA students in the strategic level of studies. And i like to extend my good wishes for the exams to my 2 classmates; hope we will make it this round! =)

Got back to work on friday and tendered in my resignation letter with notice for a month. Haha, it's my first job move since i have been with AXA for the last 6 years after my national service.

My official last day was supposed to be 22nd June but i was requested by Richard (my boss, the CFO) to stay for a week more to see through the half-year reporting. So with that, my last day with AXA RE Asia Pacific will be 29th June.

An end, yet a beginning. =)

BirdPark and Pottery

Below is the link to the BirdPark photos taken in April. Not a lot of them as it rained barely 2 hours after we stepped in. No matter what, i hope you will like the pics taken. =)

Jurong BirdPark

Following a mini spice hunt and cookery lesson last year for our annual company activity day, in mid April this year, they arranged for an afternoon class of basic pottery with Clay Cove. It was a fun filled afternoon (far better than any organised lunches or presentations that company had so far) with lots of hands on experience and interaction with the instructors. This is the sort of events that i hope to see happening more often, something that entails interaction with one single focus theme.=)

Not that last year was lousy but it was a little unfocused as they tried to introduce the spices to us through a mini spice hunt in their little garden and followed by a cooking lesson with the use of spices. All of these within a small space of 3 or 4 hours and so everything was of a little rush. Thus not as enjoyable as this year's pottery lesson. In any case, i was able to capture a lot of priceless expressions and postures displayed by my colleagues while they are concentrated in their pottery. So, i hope you will find them just as priceless. =)

Pottery

Looking Well =)

It was May's first born full month celebration on Sat. Was invited along with some of our poly mates over. Always glad to have these gatherings, no matter how brief it maybe. It's really nice to see these good old frens i have every now and then.

She and her baby gal looked very well. May, wish you and your baby gal all the blessings and joy. =) Hua and Vinc looked a bit tired, otherwise pretty well. Guess it's probably cos their little darling was sick. Hope she recover strong and well. Ping and Jeff was there too, without fail, their two little darlings were with them and looking pretty rosy too. Of course, there was Khim (the bubbly one), who always made time to turn up. All in all, everyone's looking well. Stay well and see ya on the next gathering. =)

Xanth - Pure Fantasy

Bought the first nine Xanth novels in early march and i completed them today! and now waiting for san bookstore to call me up to pick up the tenth when its ready.

The first book, A Spell for Chameleon was published in 1977 and it won the August Derleth Fantasy Award for best novel of year. Just when we think that we know how far imagination and fantasy can go... Piers Anthony brought it to another level with his totally wild imagination. Simply beyond my wildest dreams and that's what makes it so satisfying to read his novels.

A world where love springs exist to cause whom ever to drink it to immediately fall in love with first opposite sex creature he or she met.. (that's how your crossbreeds such as griffins and centaurs came about). A world where storks do the actual delivery of babies (ladies get pregnant as part of the signal package for summoning the stork), black mares known as night mares that travel during the night to deliver bad dreams. Nickelpedes and dollarpedes exist instead of just centipedes. Place where monsters under the bed do exist to grab ankles till the children grow up and no longer believe in them. And so much more, simply a world beyond anyone's imagination but Piers Anthony.. so much fun to read. =)

Haha, cant wait to get my hands on that tenth book...

Good Fri, Wet Sat...

It was Good Friday last week and made a little trip down to Asian Civilisations Museum with Yuan (my good old fren from AMKSS). Must really thank her if not i would not have known such a little treasure existed in our little home island. =)

It was my very first visit to the Asian Civilisation Museum and i was quite impressed. It must be and easily one of the best around the region. Showcasing a large number of artifacts ranging from nearly two thousand years ago to some more of the recent ones in the last century, it provides the visitor a very visual aspect of asian lives and culture in the past.

Btw, photography is allowed if no flash is used so visitors may take some memories home (i didn't realise it till the later part of my tour, so a little lacking in the quantities of the photos but do enjoy them). =)

The first 7 photos are from the special exhibit Mystery Men from China while the last 4 are part of the standard showcase.

As for Sat, it was a day with Mark and Tracy out to the Jurong BirdPark and guess what.... a thunderstorm popped out from nowhere halfway through the visit. Same thing happened when we were at the Zoo with Eve and Sentosa with Hao last year April and May.... Guess we are the rainy people... in anycase, i did manage to get some pics. =) Will post them up next month cos i have already hit my quota for free uploads to flickr this month.

Photos from Taiwan Trip

Sorry that i have taken so long but here's my photos taken during the trip in Oct last year. I had some problems in uploading the photos to my Friendster Blog and apparently no support is given as the blog service is provided by a third party. If i wanted technical support, i will have to upgrade and start paying monthly subscription fees.

In any case, here are the photos and i hope you will find them to your liking. =)