Star Wars picture of the day

Many Kuching Returns

Worked. What to say. Was pleasantly surprised that Ai Khim actually volunteered to learn to key in the 'phantom customers' list today. The cynic in me just says she was too free and wanted something to do. Hasli helped type the CCP data into Access format. He was pooped after 2 hours. The Force is weak in him. Well it takes some getting used to.I had done it before so I am kinda used to typing it. In time he and Sin will get the hang of it.

After work we three with the addition of Lyn headed to Jalan Kayu for prata after work. Sin had been involved in a minor accident that afternoon so we decided to cheer him up with our fellowship. I had cheese and kosong prata accompanied by a Milo Dinosaur (a strange version though with whipped cream and cherry sauce above,kind of a milo dinosaur/Godzilla hybrid). After our meal I drove to Yio Chu Kang to drop off Sin and Lyn. Sin had a concert recital at Esplanade to attend at 730. Of course he did not make it on time. By the time we left jalan kayu was already close to 7. I then went to Yishun to send Hasli home. We stopped by a couple of shops selling video games but did not buy anything. We then went to Cheers to get a couple more application form for the TNP Big Walk.

Went home.

When it was time I headed to the airport to welcome my dearie back. The plane was supposed to arrive around 10:30 but when I got there the time stated on the board was 10:09. Good thing I always like to get there early. In time my dearie cleared customs and we were back together. There was no chance of a dramatic reunion as many eyes were watching. I drove Agnes home. We had toasted bread and drinks at the coffeeshop near her place. At Agnes house she showed and gave out the things she bought.

Went home thereafter.

Sunny been vibrating quite badly over last few days. I finally discovered it was because his rear tyres were badly worn. As such, strips of rubber had already been shorn off and with every oscillation the vehicle vibrated especially at high speeds. Gonna have to get it changed tomorrow. Worst part is my spare is flat too. So if something happens I am gonna have to get towed.

driving.... eating....walking...

Was out doing field inspections today. Think I am beginning to enjoy going out more now than being deskbound in the office. At least when I go out I can do what I like according to my whims and fancies whereas in the office I am basically a glorified paper pusher.Fax this..fax that..staple here...staple there...sign this...print that..write this...file that...

Today in the course of my work when home twice. Once to charge my handphone and once to make an online booking for SW Ep III. I also had the chance to have a lunchbreak at Marina Centre today. Had an inspection at Raffles Boulevard, which is just between Millenia Walk and Pan Pacific Hotel. So I did a bit of walking and window shopping at Millenia and Suntec. And somehow despite all that still managed to complete all my work and make it timely back to the office. Sometimes I even amaze myself.

After work I picked up Faezah from the bus stop outside our place before heading to ABC Market. We all tried the fabled halal hainanese(?) chicken rice. Thery were accompanied by drinks. Longan,lychee and 'mata kucing'!! we then had mee rebus which was quite alright but a tad too sweet. Faezah and I then had fruits. Ate alot. Feel so full now.

After dinner, Sin crossed over to take a bus home. I sent the two lovebirds to Chong Pang before heading home myself.

Today is the 2nd day of Agnes trip. Distance does indeed make the heart grow fonder.

Hasli and Faezah reminded me of the promise I made to them to drive them over in either July or August to JB to do their wedding stuff. So much has happened and changed since that time. But of course I will keep my promise to them to help them. Of course I get a dinner...but that is not the issue here. :P
So if I can get Agnes to join us then we can make a day of it. (maybe we could do some wedding preparations of our own *wink-wink*)

WONDER WHY MEN ARE HAPPIER?

Their last names stay put.
To them, chocolate is just another snack.
Car mechanics tell them the truth.
The world is their urinal.
They never have to drive to another petrol station restroom because this one is just too icky.
They do the same work for more pay.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
If someone forgets to invite them, he or she can still be their friend.
Their underwear is $5.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
They only have to shave their face and neck.
They can play with toys all their life.
They can wear shorts no matter how their legs look.
They can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on 24 Dec in 25 minutes.
They have one mood - all the time.

Off she goes...

Another crappy day at work. work..work..work... I am still waiting for the light at the end of this proverbial tunnel....waiting...waiting...

Agnes flew off to Kuching this evening. Was unable to send her off due to work commitments. Will be picking her up from the airport on Friday though if that is any consolation. She is gonna be away for all of 3 days almost. It may not be alot in real terms, but i am making an extra effort to miss her like crazy and pine for her until she gets back for no other reason that I love her. Although it is inevitable that couples may have to spend time apart, I am the sort of guy who when he is in love wants to spend as much time as humanly possible with the one I love. We all need time to grow and do our own things but still I rather be with Agnes than be any other place on earth.

On a sidenote of sorts, Paula is up in KL as her grand-dad passed away. Noel is leaving the house now for KL too. Looks like I am gonna be a lonely ranger here in Singapore.

I am gonna go and get the tickets for Return of the Sith tomorrow. I wonder if Hasli and co want me to get them any...

Did more cleaning of my tank with regards to the 'mysterious white thing'.Looks better now. I am still mystified by the mysterious white thing. I suspected it was some sort of algae or fungus but now I am not so sure. It could be something from the aircon. No idea though.

Tomorrow I am supposed to go with the guys to ABC food centre to taste some of the delicacies there. Must make an effort not to overeat or eat stuff that is too oily for my own good.

Friday I will probably go to Bible Study and then to the airport to pick my dearie after.

2005 has been a year of passing for me on a personal level. Every step I take people seem to be dying. Maybe that is somewhat an exaggeration but you get the picture. In times like this I just wish time would stand still and that life would always be like it is now, but alas it is not to be.

Chelsea handed Man-ure their asses in last nights game. Another shift in power to end all shift in powers? Chelsea beat 'the-other-reds-proclaiming-themselves-to-be-Devils' 3-1 at their Theatre of Dreams. Only thing that remains is for Man U to get relegated next season. And then the next. And then the next....

Stubbed my foot on my barbells just now. OUCH! It kinda scrapped off a chunk of skin. It hurt for a while but I think I will survive. Nothing quite like having the sharp edge of a heavy object shear of the top layer of your skin to wake you up from a stupor. The swelling has receded and the it now looks worse than it feels. Thank goodness it did not bleed or anything. I had similar injuries before where it bled non-stop until medicine and plasters were applied.

In other news Lynn is in hospital. She had some complications again. An operation this morning. so that is where my parents are now. So me is here all alone at home again, naturally. Lynn is bleeding although she is only in the first trimester. I guess she is not predisposed to have a kid but look at Alden! Another one is risky but one worth taking...I think. Just hope she pulls through. I am gonna be an uncle twice over!!

PMS

Kenny wrote an article which I think most guys can identify with, the dreaded PMS. I wonder who hates it more when that time of the month comes around each time? The poor afflicted lady or the poor guy who has to put up with her.

anyway... I gotta say this here...

I am the luckiest guy in the world....

why?

because my Agnes is such a sweetie!!

Packing for Kuching

Was out doing field work today. It rained quite a bit too. Bad.

After work I rushed off to Lavender to pick Agnes before heading back to her place. We dropped by the 7-11 to buy some biscuits and sweets. We then crossed over to buy some postage stamps.

We then has some dinner cooked by Agnes mum. Was good as usual. But the thing is she does not speak much english and my mandarin is pretty limited too despite my best efforts, so we do not really get to chat much. She always worries that the food is not to my taste so I have to constantly reassure her it is fine with me. Agnes does not really help to interpret what we say to each other, so I guess something gets inevitably lost in the translation.

After dinner we watched some TV before heading to Agnes's room for the rest of the evening. I watched as Agnes packed her things for her Sarawak trip. She got all (I hope) of it done so we chatted and played around abit with the soft toys in the room (how so very adult). We took some pictures with Agnes's bear soft toy which is falling to bits. It is already 13 years old. No idea how old that is in bear years. So parts of it are already exposed and the colour is mostly faded. Thinking of posting the pictures here for the amusement of all in due time. A rough gauge what a family portrait of us would look like...

Finally...

the pictures of wendy's 21st birtday party at changi are up after much mishaps with PC's and lost pictures. Go take a look. Page may take a while to load though...

monday

As usual a crappy day at work. Rush this. Rush that.Do this. Do that. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother. Seems so pointless. *sigh*

After I drove down to Raffles City to meet my dearie. Agnes was hiding from some survey guy at the Mango. Pesky survey guys. I sneaked up right beside her and just stood there for a while as she was unaware of my presence.

We walked abit before heading to Bras Basah Complex where I got my watch battery replaced. It took close to half an hour for it to get changed for some reason. Grrr... no reason why changing a battery should take half an hour. But on the bright side they were nice. Cost me all of $10.
After that we crossed over and had dinner. Agnes was not feeling too good. Poor baby had a headache, a neck ache and was sleepy for some reason although she had slept through most of Sunday. Hence she ate even less than she normally does.

After dinner we walked back to the car.

As the night was still young we drove over to East Coast park for a walk. We were pleasantly surprised at the number of people there for a Monday. It was a windy evening but the draft was rather warm. Nonetheless the walk was quite pleasant. We stopped at the jetty area and just soaked in the atmosphere. There were many other couples in choice spots on the jetty. It helped that the entire stretch of the jetty was unlit. In short a nookie-friendly jetty.

Soon it was time to head back, so we made the slow but sure walk back to Sunny. Agnes was so poofed that she fell asleep during the short drive back. I know it was not due to anything I did. Hee hee.

At Agnes place I walked her up to her door with all the usual fanfare.

Went home.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@
TNP Big Walk is coming up. Hasli is gathering the troops. Agnes said ok. Then balked at the early timing and decided not to go. And then, she said she would be joining us.

What does my name stand for?

LEON
L	is for	Lively
E	is for	Enjoyable
O	is for	Old
N	is for	Natural

What Does Your Name Mean?

What age do I act?

You Are 20 Years Old

20 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Whats my seduction style?

Your Seduction Style: Ideal Lover

You seduce people by tapping into their dreams and desires. And because of this sensitivity, you can be the ideal lover for anyone you seek. You are a shapeshifter - bringing romance, adventure, spirituality to relationships. It all depends on who your with, and what their vision of a perfect relationship is.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

How normal am I?

You Are 55% Normal (Somewhat Normal)

While some of your behavior is quite normal... Other things you do are downright strange You've got a little of your freak going on But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How Normal Are You?

My personality type:

Your #1 Match: INFP

The Idealist You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world. Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships. It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close. But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop. You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

What's Your Personality Type?

What does my birthdate mean?

Your Birthdate: October 31

Your birthday suggests that you are a good organizer and manager, an energetic and dependable worker; attributes often showing success in the business world. Serious and sincere, you have the patience and determination necessary to accomplish a great deal. Your approach can be original, but often rigid and stubborn. Sensitivity may be present, but feeling are likely to be repressed. You are good with detail and insist on accuracy, but at times scatter energies. You're a practical thinker, but not without imagination. You love travel and don't like to live alone. You should probably marry early, for responsibility is necessary for your stability.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

The keys to my heart...

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.

You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is high. You can't resist desire and lust.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as something you can get or discard anytime. You're feeling self centered.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Am I a Liberal or a Conservative?

Your Political Profile

Overall: 55% Conservative, 45% Liberal

Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Ethics: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

Madagascar

A movie I just wanna catch when it opens...


Madagascar

The trailer was a hoot. I just love cartoons and CGI films with animals in them.

fun stuff (in my unhumble opinion)

Technical Virgins

But there is a way for youths to enjoy rich and satisfying sexual intimacy without risking unwanted pregnancy — ANAL SEX! The anus, tighter than any vagina and tinged with the thrill of the taboo, is the perfect venue for modern teen lust.

Of course, the safest way for teens to avoid unwanted pregnancy while satisfying their carnal needs is to limit themselves to homoerotic encounters until they are ready for procreation. But many boys and girls are uncomfortable with the idea of same-sex encounters. Anal sex, however, can be fun for both sexes, and thanks to modern improvements in strap-on sex tools, girls can enjoy being in control of their own anal encounters.


Read the 'testimonials' from teens and creative date ideas.Haha...hilarious stuff. Do not forget the FAQ's.

bigotry?

In the news today of the nations paper: racism.

It seems the more you try to integrate (that word again) the peoples that maketh this nation the more obvious the rift in opinions become. We keep trying to sweep under the carpet our all too obvious differences in race, language and religion. The fact is we are all different in how we look, what we believe and what we speak. So what is the point of trying to gloss over these differences? We should glorify in our distinctiveness from one to another and not try to reach some so called 'middle ground' where we all can agree upon because there is none.

The plain fact is that Singapore is made up of 77% Chinese! Even within this monolithic(by comparision) majority, there are the different dialect groups. The bane of all this resentment and the groundswell of discontent is the Speak Mandarin campaign that marginalised anyone not chinese. No matter what you say or do there will always be the ones within and without this 77% who will try to push the boundaries of what is acceptable. Is speaking against mixed marriages wrong in itself? How about late-night getai performances in housing estates? Group Representative Constituencies? Or anything else that crosses the line of acceptance?

Now that I reached this point, I do not know what else to say without sounding like a bigot. So I will leave it off here.(see my previous blog)

I do not want the ISD coming after me. And I do not have the money for a high profile court case.

still dwelling upon...

the fuss about making comments on mixed-race weddings or questioning the rationale behind scholarship policies. PSC and A*Star are an example of why people hate living in our little red dot. The powers-that-be are so anal that anything said against them is held against you. And people wonder why the youth of today are not bothered to come forward and serve. Why should I bother voicing my views and opinions if the likely consequence of rubbing overpaid civil servants the wrong way is public censure and litigation? Seems like the more things change the more they remain the same.

At least engage the aggrieved parties instead of threats. People do not have to swallow their pride and toe the party line just to get ahead in life. It is just a plain PR nightmare. It is just so wrong how PSC and A*Star handled both their cases.

Condolences...and best wishes

I was just reading kenny's blog just now. He speaks about his father's passing on. I just cannot put into words how it felt reading it. I know the only two constants in life are death and taxes, but still losing a loved one is hard. We often feel so helpless and wish we could turn back the clock to tell that loved one how much we love them and spend more time with them.

Ona lighter note, Shelly talks about her pregnancy. It is 6 weeks already.And at 22 to boot! Gonna be a good read leading up to the delivery. Not to mention the now-brought-forward traditional wedding ceremony and home-hunting predicament.

headlines

American security guards among those killed in massive Baghdad explosion
Two American security guards were among at least 18 killed in a massive explosion in Baghdad, as Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari announced he had completed his list for a national unity cabinet.

what is it with these people? Bomb here. bomb there. will there never be peace on earth?

Jolie against Pakistani plan to relocate refugee camps to Afghanistan
Moving the refugees camps in certain areas of Pakistan to Afghanistan would add to people's suffering, Jolie said. Many of those in the camps had been living there for years.The Oscar-winning US actress has been in Pakistan since Wednesday on a four-day mission to focus world attention on the plight of more than three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan.A joint Pakistan-UN census Monday said more than three million Afghans were still sheltering in Pakistan 25 years after war forced them to flee their native land.

Hmm... a refugee camp for Afghans in Afghanistan. Who would have thunk?

Re-elected Blair reshuffles cabinet, pledges to govern 'wisely'
British Prime Minister Tony Blair reshuffled his cabinet Friday, keeping his popular heir-apparent Gordon Brown as finance minister, as he pledged to govern "wisely and sensibly" after his Labour Party won a third term in power in a general election that slashed its parliamentary majority by more than half.

as opposed to the 'stupid and unsensible' governance of his previous 2 terms?

North Korean nuclear test would have disastrous consequences: UN nuclear chief

I can see how nuclear bombs could be potentially disastrous.

song of the moment:

Shiver by Natalie Imbruglia

I walk a mile with a smile
And I don't know
I don't care where I am
But I know it's alright

Jump the tracks
Can't get back
I don't know anyone around here
But I'm safe this time

'Cause when you
Tell me, Tell me, Tell me
Stupid things, like you do
Yes, I
Have to, have to, have to
Change the rules
I can't lose

**'Cause I shiver
I just break up
When I'm near you
It all gets out of hand
Yes I shiver
I get bent up
There's no way that
I know you'll understand**

We talk and talk
'Round it all
Who'd have thought
We'd end up here?
But I'm feeling fine
In a rush
Never trust
You'll be there
If I'd only stop and take my time

'Cause with you
I'm running, running, running
Somewhere I can't get to
Yes I have to have to have to
Change the rules
I'm with you



What if you get off at the next stop?
Would you just wave as I'm drifting off?
If I never saw you again
Could I
Keep hold
of this
Inside

Loves Moves in Mysterious Ways- Nina

My first time hearing the song but I am sold on it. Great song. Great vocals. Great video.

Who'd have thought this how the pieces fit
You and I shouldn't try even making sense of it
I forgot how we ever came this far,
I believe we had reasons but I don't know what they are,
So I blame it on my heart oh...

[Chorus:]
Love moves in mysterious ways
It's always so surprising
How love appears over the horizon
I love you for the rest of my days
But still it's a mystery
Of how you ever came to me
Which only proves, love moves in mysterious ways

Heaven knows, Love is just a chance we take
We make plans, but then love demands of leap of faith
So hold me close and never ever let me go
'Coz even though we think we know which way the river flows
That's not the way love goes, no..

[Chorus:]
Love moves in mysterious ways
It's always so surprising
How love appears over the horizon
I love you for the rest of my days
But still it's a mystery
Of how you ever came to me
Which only proves, love moves in mysterious ways

Bridge: Like the ticking of the clock, two hearts beat as one
But I'll never understand the way it;s done, oh

[Chorus:]
Love moves in mysterious ways
It's always so surprising
How love appears over the horizon
I love you for the rest of my days
But still it's a mystery
Of how you ever came to me
Which only proves, love moves in mysterious ways

Love moves in mysterious...ways.....

Which makes you wonder about production values. Remember the Taufik video debacle?

Phuket

Just saw a visit Phuket ad on TV. Wow! Looks good. It is funny how the tsunami literally cleaned up the beaches. Not funny as in 'haha funny' but funny in how sometimes things turn out for the best. Phuket was in danger of being too commercialised. The beach was lined with shops, stalls and all manner of human activity. In short it was an eyesore. But now one can actually make out the beach. Mysterious ways indeed.

Think I am in need of a short vacation soon. Hopefully Agnes gets the green light from her folks to join me. Otherwise looks like I have to go it alone.

sunday blog

It is one of those lazy sunday mornings again. It is raining out.It is Mother's Day but no sign of mum anywhere. I am assuming she is asleep in bed or something.
My fish tank still has that mysterious white powdery thingy at the waters surface. One way to eliminate the problem is to do a complete water change but it is a planted tank with lots of fish. To do a complete water change it would mean I would have to remove all the fish which is pretty hard to do with the sheer numbers (close to fifty) and all the plants.

I am in sheer Star Wars mode now. Now watching the DVD versions of the movie starting with Episode IV. I will work my way to Episode II eventually. My ring tones for both incoming calls and messages are the 'Star Wars Theme' and the 'Imperial March' respectively. I have a good mind to go out and buy batteries for my 2 lightsabres and have duels with everyone who is up for a fight.

Yesterday I was planning to go for another of our healthy walks but the weather was rather wonky. worst part was it did not rain at all in the end. What a waste! I had wanted to to to the MacRitchies' BoardWalk with Agnes but they close at 5. Hard to make it when we were gonna meet up at only 4.30.The distance from Bedok to Thomson, we would have never made it. Then there was the Botanic Gardens idea. We can do that next week or what. Another place I wanna visit is the Bukit Batok Nature park. I passed by it many times but have never actually gone there. I hear the view and all is pretty good. They even have durian trees!

In the news: Do Liverpool deserve a place in the Champions League next season if they do win the cup this season?

my view: They do. What kind of cup would it be without the defending champions there if they do win? Of course I do not think it would be fair to Everton to exclude them who have played well all season through to gain the final champions league spot via fourth place. Maybe UEFA should make Liverpool play a playoff match with someone to earn their spot or something.Anyway it is ridiculous that UEFA has not made any provisions for such an eventuality that the winner of the Champions League would not qualify via their league standings for the next season. Anyway it is all football politics and red tape as far as I can see. Dumb ass bureaucrats.