Crazy Asian Drinks

check out this site

They do taste tests on Asian Drinks, like Chrysanthemum Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, and even Yeo's Soya Bean Drink. And generally gag!

First they came...

First they came for Napster
and I did not speak out
because I switched to Kazaa.
Then they came for Kazaa
and I did not speak out
because I switched to bit torrents.
Then they came for bit torrents
and I did not speak out
because I switched to ED2K.
Then they came for ED2K
and there was no one left
for the entertainment industry
to blame for their troubles.
So they went out of business,
and now there is only me.

Signs That You’re Spending Christmas in Singapore

1. Ah Lians wondering how come Santa’s elves ”dun look like that hamsum Legolas from Lord of the Rings, ha?”

2. Children who think snow resembles either soap suds or Styrofoam.

3. Lots of small guys in green running around are not elves, but national servicemen.

4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer detained on suspicion of avian flu.

5. Frosty the Snowman detained for possession of suspicious white substance.

6. Santa Claus is coming to town – but then suay-suay kena detained for questioning on how he entered Singapore territory.

7. Santa later released because he qualifies as ‘foreign talent’.

8. SPGS trying to pick up Santa. Ho! Ho! Ho!

9. EDB trying to lure Santa away from the North Pole to set up his HQ in Singapore – ‘Santapolis’.

10. Santa not the only one dressed in red and white trying to reach out to the young.

11. Santa not the only person watching you to see if you’re ‘naughty or nice.’

12. Chinese New Year decorations up oreddy.

13. Christmas carolers compete in ‘Caroling Idol’.

14. People concerned over whether turkey is ‘heaty’ or ‘cooling’.

15. Dated music awards shows on the english channels.

16. Same old variety shows on the chinese ones.

it is beginning to look alot like Christmas

Signs that you’re going to have a blue, blue Christmas…

1. Your letter to Santa comes back with a handwritten note: “Wait long-long!”

2. Your present is ticking.

3. You’re not on Santa’s “Naughty” or “Nice” lists – you’re on his “Si Gin Nah” list.

4. You wake up on Christmas Day and see the words “He sees you when you’re sleeping” written in blood on your wall.

5. The only party invitation he brings you is for the People’s Action Party.

6. When you sit on his lap, he growls, “Eh, Pooi eh! Faster get off!”

7. Next to your presents is a bill for shipping, handling and GST.

8. You see Mommy doing more than just kissing Santa Claus.

9. You actually get two front teeth for Christmas.

10. And they’re not yours.

11. There’s a bunch of elves outside your door who says their “Tua Tao” wants to “settle” with you.

12. The reindeer all start sniggering when you open the box of chocolate chips he left you.

13. When he sees you, he doesn’t go “Ho! Ho! Ho!”, he nods meaningfully and says, “Nehmine…”

14. He doesn’t turn up personally. He sends that other guy who likes dressing up in red and white.

15. He gives your children toys that make sounds like a car alarm going off.

16. On Christmas Eve, he comes to your house – and takes stuff.

17. No presents – but there’s a reindeer head hanging outside your front door and sheets of paper with your photo and IC number pasted all over your void deck.

gift updates

mum and dad gave me a shirt. better than socks or underwear. at least it is something i do not mind wearing outdoors.

Noel and Paula gave me an Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys Executive Set. hmmmm...ok....
Comes complete with gold coins at the bottom of the tank and a gold figurine atop the lid. Something no executive should go without.

Leo and Lynn: another shirt

random musings

Probably the most popular MTV offering internationally is the outrageous auto makeover show “Pimp My Ride.” MTV in Germany is even making a pilot for a local variation: “Pimp My Bicycle.”
I can understand why PMR is so popular, but pimp my bicycle?? How many pimps ride a bicycle anyway? Hmmm...

Bought a new wireless optical desktop. been wanting to replace my keyboard for a while now, reason being that my present keyboard numeral keyboard is buggered. I suspect someone dropped it one day whilst i was out at work. So in the mean time I had been typing using the numeric keys on my keyboard above the qwerty keys.

The last time I replaced my keyboard was when I cried a river of tears whilst typing on it. Moral of the story: keyboards and hot tears do not go well together. And no... it was not me crying over Joyce...

My Motorola E680: Having trouble downloading files from my PC to my new phone. The instruction manual does not help any. Seems the software disc it came with does not do anything. I wonder why they call it an instruction manual if it neither instructs nor is a manual for any of the functions. I can only download files by opening the browser and saving files from online sites. The other problem is that my CF/Flash card does not seem to be recognised as such so it is as good as not having any additional memory. Gotta go down to the Service Centre and get this stuff sorted out. Meanwhile I surf the net or ask people with the same model how to do stuff.

I also recently bought a new shaver. And then I realise that shavers with rotary blades do not work for some reason despite what they say on the box.

ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!

spent nearly an hour typing something then there was a power outtage and lost everything!! Ahhhhhh......

Xmas blues

Nothing much on today.Just the usual christmas lunch and maybe later I might be meeting up with Jorin for dinner.

Managed to get most of my gifts yesterday. Went to Northpoint with Hasli before taking a break for lunch.Got mum's gift there and my 3 'mummies'. After that I sent Hasli back home.
After, I went to Junction 8 but could not find anything I liked that I could not have found at Northpoint earlier.But still grabbed some stuff from there(Paula's gift and Dad's). Grr... once you seen one shopping mall, it seems you seen them all...
Wanted to go to Thomson Plaza but the parking in the area was full so I headed back up north to Sembawang Shopping Centre. There I managed to find Noel's gift.
Then it was off to Causeway Point...
Managed to get some wrapping paper and ...thats all!
Hahaaa...a fun but tiring way to spend a day...
Woulda gone into Orchard if it was not for the crawling traffic and human throng.

Presents so far received:

A Mr Bean teddy bear from Lyn

A fish tank ornament in the shape of a chinese looking house on a hill with a water wheel and made complete with a plastic coconut tree from Mr's Soh in a tasteful looking octagonal gift box

A box of Ferrero Roche chocolates from Ana. Yum's!!

A bar of 150g Fruit and Nut Cadbury chocolate bar from Hasli, my favourite kinda choc

a classic looking violet cachous tubby thingy from Khim-my

After I came home from shopping I was met at the door by 2 lovely ladies. Actually they were Paula's sisters. It is funny how people get better looking as they mature. Woo-hoo... Hope to catch up with them a bit more over the next few days.

Thereafter the 3 ladies and mum went off to Noel's office with some stuff for the office party. I took the opportunity to do the present wrapping for the stuff bought earlier.
Curious that I was not informed that Paula's sisters were in Singapore on Thursday until after the fact, add to that that they were coming over yesterday. I was also not informed about the office party. *double hmph*
I guess I am not kept in the loop!

O Holy Night

O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born
O night divine,
O night divine,
O night divine!

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
'Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven's all-gracious King!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled;
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

But with the woes of sin and strife
the world has suffered long;
beneath the angel strain have rolled
two thousands years of wrong;
and man, at war with man, hears not
the love song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
and hear the angels sing.

For, lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet bards foretold,
when with the ever-circling years,
comes round the age of gold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendours fling,
and the whole world give back the song
which now the angels sing

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

God's Gift to Us


For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government
will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful,
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
—Isaiah 9:6

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but
that the world through Him might be saved.
—John 3:17

When you're a child, Christmas is all about receiving gifts. In
December, your head is swimming with nothing but images of your favorite
toys. But the true message of Christmas is not the presents we give to
one another. The true meaning is the gift that God gave to us, His Son
Jesus Christ. During the next two days, I want to point out to you
three things about the gift God gave to us in that tiny manger in
Bethlehem.

The first thing we want to realize about God's gift to us is that it
came in simple wrapping. Some people will go to great lengths to wrap
presents beautifully. But God's gift came to us not in beautiful,
ornate wrapping, but in a dirty manger found in a cold cave in a
little-known town called Bethlehem. That's the beauty of the Christmas
event. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in
heaven. The Savior was not wrapped in satin sheets, but in common rags.
There in a manger rested the greatest gift in the plainest of wrapping.


The second thing I want to point out about God's gift to us is that we
don't deserve it. Consider this: God gave us the ultimate gift of His
Son Jesus Christ while we were still sinning against Him (see Romans
5:8). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve His gift. That is
the amazing truth of Christmas. Despite who we are, God sent His Son so
"that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life" (John 3:16 NKJV).

With Christmas just three days away, begin to prepare your heart for the
celebration of the birth of our Savior. Meditate on the fact that Jesus
was born to die so that we might live.

We celebrate Christmas in order to rejoice over God's most precious gift
to us. The birth of Jesus Christ is a gift from God that came in simple
wrapping, as well as a gift we don't deserve. But the gift of Christ
also explains His purpose for humankind. The gift of Christ was no
afterthought. Long before there was a stable in Bethlehem, before Adam
and Eve ever set eyes on each other, and even before there existed a
garden called Eden, God decided to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on
the cross for our sins. From the beginning, God knew humankind would
fall short of His glory. That is why the Scriptures proclaim that Jesus
Christ was slain from the foundation of the world (see Revelation 13:8).
God made a decision from the very beginning that Christ would come to
this earth to live and die and rise again from the dead. God's gift to
us proves His purpose to redeem us.

The gift of Jesus Christ is what Christmas is all about. Jesus came
near to us so we could come near to Him. Christmas is not about tinsel
or shopping or gifts under a tree. Christmas is about the gift God gave
on the tree where Christ died for our sins, giving us the gift of
eternal life. That is what He has accomplished. This is the gift He
extends. And if you receive it, you will experience the merriest
Christmas of all.

fish head curry and stroking pussies *gulp*

Work as usual was too much today. I just do not like having too much work than is reasonable as far as field work goes. Was so exhausted after all that rushing around all day.

After work went off to Lot 1 to meet Natty and Naddy. Heh heh. Ana took a lift from me as she lives just a few stops away (MRT stops that is).

I left the office a bit earlier and it is not very long getting to Choa Chu Kang from the office via the BKE and KJE. So the journey takes like 10 to 15 minutes. I told the girls that I would be there around 630 but I was there before 620, a wrong turn nothwithstanding.

The girls were running a little late so I waited at the taxi stand outside the old NTUC rather than at the taxi stand of Lot 1.

After the cheery lasses came along , we set off for fish head curry at Upper Bukit Timah Road. We managed to find parking along the road fairly easily, although the walk was a fair bit to the restaurant.
Before commencing the engorging, Nat helpfully briefed the newbie eaters on modus operandi. Apparently they have a free flow of rice,papadum and the like. I even got to eat eye of the fish,although it escapes me why it is considered such a delicacy by some. Fish eye taste like the eye of any other animal. Hmm...
After the tummy-filling meal, we adjourned to Sunshine Place (I think) for desserts. Nat had the almond jelly/longan ice thing, Nadia the Strawberry Kisses ice mountain(?) and me...strawberry milk ice. We shared all the desserts among ourselves.

After that the bloated ones, went back to their place(their=nadia and nat). There I finally got to meet all the cats. Dusky,Marble, Kenya and...and...the other one

Anyway was fun just hanging out with the gals. Watched Tears of the Sun on the telly followed by Friends. By then it was already past 11 so I had to go home (or stay over!) as I had work the next day.

Was great seeing them again and we just seem to eat alot when together. Wonder if there is any correlation between the 2 things. The only dampers on the nights proceedings were that I was knackered from the day at work and that the girl's mums handbag was snatched whilst they were in Penang.She lost her wallet, two phones and the digital camera that Nat bought her for her birthday.Luckily the passports were with the ever trusty DaddyMan.

Hasli could not join us as he had to 'go meet his insurance agent'.*stifled chuckle*

My Christmas Wish

these are the 3 things I asked for this year:

1) A new european car

2) A job that pays three times as much as my present one

3) Someone to love and to be loved by

All things are possible for him who is in Christ Jesus.

Check back same time next year to see the fulfillment of my wishes.

exceedingly....abundantly..above..all...we can ask...or think...

Joyce was supposed to go for the first service today. But she overslept. I was none too keen to join her at that timing. Apparently she had something on later in the day but was not at ease to share.

I attended the 3rd service alone. I think it was good in the end to go alone. Lyn had asked me to ask one of my female friends to join me, as did Hasli, but I think I need to do somethings alone...for now. Anyway...as with last weeks message it really struck a chord with me again. I just I am now in a point of my life where I am beginning to lean more on God's grace and His Word than I did before because of the nonsense going on in my life. When you are down; there is nowhere to go but up!

After service I walked around Suntec a bit looking for a casing for my E680 which is beginning to show signs of wear and tear as I put it in my pants pockets and it scrapes aginst my keys and stuff. I could not find any actual casings although I did see some of those pouch like things which could fit my phone but did not buy any.

I then went to Milenia and bought some mints from Candy Empire before heading for my car and drove to Park Mall.

Parked at Park Mall and walked over to Plaza Singapura. Went looking for my casing at the various shops and stalls there including the Motorola Service Centre but to no avail. Bought some XXL Chicken from B2 before heading out. Then slowly made my way down Orchard. The Celebrate Christmas in Singapore thing was on and New Creation Church was a big part of it. The road was closed between Scotts Road and Orchard Link. Lotsa stuff was going on by various churches and charity organisations in the area. Will post the pics soon. After much walking, picture taking, eating and drinking I finally decided I had enough of the madding crowd and headed back to Park Mall to collect my car. On the way I stopped by the Istana Park and took some pictures. Hope they turn out well. Istana Park is like an oasis in the city to me. A favorite with lovers because of the dark corners and thick vegetation.

Collected Sunny and headed home. Surprisingly the parking fees came up to only $2, which is a lot less than other shopping centres in the Orchard area if my memory serves me correctly..

We Are The Reason

As little children
We would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys
We knew we'd find
But we never realized
A baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason
That He gave His life
We were the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by
We learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves
And what that means
On a dark and cloudy day
A man hung crying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love

I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

He is my reason to live

the chair at my table

GRRRR....(ok now that that is done with...on to to the more pertinent issues...)

I am feeling down right now. Even more so than I was at this time last year. Last year me and Joyce had just broken up but were still friends and hung out together and even had a holiday together. *sigh* At least when we last broke up, it was for seemingly legitimate reasons and we were both mindful of how what we said and did because we still cared deeply about one another though we felt we could no longer carry on together.

But this time JOYCE cited that it did not feel the same anymore,it had all seemed quite aimless and pointless, that the spark had gone out of our relationship and that I was not quite able to meet up to what she expected of a husband. How is that for an ego-booster?

It was always about her and still seems to be all about her. When I look at the reasons listed above I am reminded of how many times in our years together I coulda just kicked her ass to the kerb but did not. Joyce is not exactly the most loving and passionate girl around. At many times in our relationship I felt unfulfilled and unappreciated. But did I bail out? No. I persevered to make it work even when it seemed almost foolish to do so. I had many people question the wisdom of trying to squeeze water out of a stone. But the fact remains that at least I tried. Not that Joyce showed no effort at all, just that I feel that she was unable to make the changes and sacrifices to make things work.

It was all about her needs that needed to be met and her aspirations. What about me? All she seemed to care about was her accumulation of wealth. She felt that by spending less time with me and more of her time working (2 or 3 or 4 jobs at a time)that she was doing something productive. It is any wonder that I did not dump her or have torrid love affairs behind her back with all her absentia and lack of affection.

It is not that I am some jobless bum living off her earnings. I have a good job and pay my own way (and hers most times).I live responsibly and have no real vice. I put the needs of others before myself all the time as anyone close to me can attest. Maybe that is my failing in retrospect. ..

If only I was more self serving and learnt to take advantage of others kindheartedness for my own gain maybe then Joyce would find me more suited for her agenda in life. But that is so not me and never will be. I love others more than myself even if it results in my own peril.

Joyce herself admits that she will never find anyone who will fulfill her in all the ways she needs. I am not one to say ever say never but I believe that God has someone best suited for all of us. Maybe I gave Joyce some perspective in life and a bit of humanity in her endeavours at worst. Kept her grounded from being carried away with her obsession with material wealth.

In a way I feel so cheated in our relationship. It does not seem fair that I should be alone when I have given so much in return for so little. But I trust in God above that something better is in store for me out there. Not that I would change much about myself. I am my own worst critic and I think I did the best I could under such circumstances.

As for the title of this blog it refers to the empty seat at my table come christmas day. Normally that is a place reserved for Joyce but until a few days ago I was sure it would be again. But this week has shown me once again how cold and heartless Joyce can be. She hardly bothered to maintain contact and when we did meet up yesterday for a brief moment it was kind of tense because of her insecurities and lack of graciousness.

My conscience is clear about what I have said and done. It may come across as being self-righteous to some. I have my own flaws and weaknesses, as we all do. I admit I was not an angel when we were together but I was never the devil either.

This is my blog and that is my opinion.

Shining

Call it over,
Call it gone,
Call it nothing,
See what you've gone and done

Call it stupid,
Call it wrong,
Call it restless,
See what we've gone and done

Who am I to break this young girl's heart?
How the mighty rise and fall

I will not be beaten,
You have yet to see me shining, shining,
I won't take this lying down
I will not be beaten,
You have yet to see me shining, shining,
I won't take this lying down

Call me Sunday,
Call me soon,
Call me heartless,
Call me to your room

Call me lonely,
Call me late,
Call me blind and foolish
Just to spare you from the blame

Who am I to break this young girl's heart?
How the mighty rise and fall

I will not be beaten,
You have yet to see me shining, shining,
I won't take this lying down
I will not be beaten,
You have yet to see me shining, shining,
I won't take this lying down