If you are ZHANG WU JI...

Hi,

Was watching this drama “Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre”... For those interested in Chinese Novels, Comics or Games will already know this story!

In it, the male lead, Zhang Wu Ji, has many choices for a girlfriend.

They are:
1. Zhou Zhi Lou – Beauty and Brains
2. Xiao Zhao – Beauty and Loyalty (?), slightly witty/cunning
3. Zhao Min – Beauty and Witty, Pampered
4. Another one with the Golden Granny – Straight forward, Cunning, Scar on her face

These 3 Kips and 1 not so kip really like him...

But if you are the male lead which will you choose?

I will choose Zhao Min, even if she is a bit pampered. Cause with her character, I think it will be fun to be with. And also she is Kip lor!

SO SO WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE? BASE ON CHARACTER and Not the Storyline.

Anyway I also watched a few other movies that I like and I recommend to you all!

1. Sicko – MUST WATCH
2. Connected – MUST WATCH, I watch 2 times.
3. Iron Man – Not Bad
4. The Dark Knight – Superb Acting

So that’s all!

Blackburn

"Supermatch"

Hi,

Let me tell you what I have been doing these days.

I have been going online to watch this Taiwanese variety show – “Super Match”.
It is like a matchmaking variety show, where people join this website www.i-part.com.tw and get pick from there to go on a tour with a few other people (girls and guys). So after the tour, either the girls or the guys will confess their love for their targets.

This show also shows us guys what to do when you are courting someone and what not to do. Quite interesting actually.

Anyway since I am recovering from some recent incident, this is really a fast cure for me.

So really envy these people going on these tours... Even if you don’t meet anyone... You get to travel leh!

Hopefully Mediacorp do something like this soon! I’ll definitely join if i’m still single then.

You can watch “Supermatch” at Monday night 11.30pm on Channel U or http://so.tudou.com/isearch/%E9%80%9F%E9%85%8D%E7%94%B7%E5%A5%B3/cid__time__sort_score_display_album_page_2

Anyway, i also join another matchmaking website which seems quite interesting. It goes by www.be2.sg , although i don’t think anything will happen but let’s see how it goes.

Blackburn

"EMONISM"...

Hi,

Don’t know if I am having too much time or what... Getting quite emo nowadays. Not really in the best of mood.

I get irritated easily, even by the little things in life. So now, I apologise in advance to those whom I may hurt in the near future.

Secondly, I don’t know what I have been doing for soccer now is a good thing. Don’t feel appreciated. A “thank you” will be good enough. But never mind, I am used to it and I understand. Our clique always takes things for granted. Nothing will ever change.

For your information, I will send the stuff over to all the organisers through email. If anyone of you thinks that all these Sunday soccer stuff is redundant, just state it in the comment. I will gladly just forget about the whole issue.

That’s all I am saying.

Really irritated. Really emo. Really sian.

If Blackburn ever recruits Souness as the next manager, I foresee my emotions hitting a historical high.

Blackburn

Cellular VS Connected...

Hi,

At last, I have watched Connected (Bao Chi Tong Hua). It is the Hongkong remake of “Cellular”.

I suggest those who still did not watch this movie to GO AND WATCH IT NOW.
I feel that it is a slightly better version of Cellular. There are lesser action and fight scenes but more acting involved.

The storyline is better too... I mean a reluctant hero in the Chinese version than a “I am going to be hero” in the Hollywood version.

Also Louis Koo is sooooooooo much than the Ang Mo guy. And Barbie Hsu is SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH MORE better than Kim Basinger.

I mean will you rather get a call from a OLDER WOMAN asking for help, or someone your age asking for help? Unless you have a fetish for older lady, I will choose the latter. Haha...

Moreover, the policeman in Connected is also much better. Nicky Cheung vs this other old guy in cellular. Haha...

Just look at the links and you will get it.

http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/connected/connected.htm
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337921/

Watch it NOW! Don’t wait.

Blackburn
(What I have been doing at home)

UPDATES... UPDATES...

Hi,

It’s me again on the same day within a few minutes.

Just wanted to comment something...

“Thank you alonoso for putting up that post.”

But I just realise your post in DEC. Like NOW. Haha..

OK with regards to Alonso’s suggested activity – these are my views.

1: Paintball at the New Khatib Arena  Expensive and Kt. If you really want, I suggest we go Malaysia play. I heard it is more fun and more bullets.

2: Chek Jawa – Go so many times until i sian...

3: Sports outing at Talen's Condo tentatively set on 8 Dec – This happened already. We had fun right?

4: Jurong East Swimming Complex, the one with the wave facility – Haha... swimming?! If anyone can make mendi go, then i’ll go.

5: The new Marina Reservoir Trek – This looks goods... I go bring insect repellent.

6: 11 a side soccer ( where is amanda? ) – We play well previously. Its time to have our own 11 aside. I guess we could organise someday with 22 of our own players and play among ourselves. But is Dec too late?

7: Picnic at Sentosa ( Esther making sushi) – I don’t mind. But Esther making sushi?! Haha... i thought she never like Japanese stuff.

8: Customary Xmas Dinner – GUYS THIS IS IN THE MIST OF PLANNING. It will be a Xmas Dinner with gift exchange. All GMH members invited. Alonso is planning.

9: Church Camp – No comments. Camp is always fun.

10: Anfield anyone? – Maybe next June? Haha... but i cannot guarantee.

Blackburn

Not Mature Enough...

Regret...

Full of Regret...

Haha... When was the last time you say things on impulse?

Mine was like RECENTLY.

I shall not go into details of what happens. But it made me realise a lot of things.

I realise I always treat some people very well and then after that SHUT MYSELF OUT OF THEIR WORLD. For example, I treat “B” very well. Then when things go wrong, I shut myself out of “B”’s world.

Is that right?

I never knew the answer until now. After some late communicating between my bestie and some other friend, I realise this is so wrong.

The reason behind all this of shutting myself up is because (I don’t know if anyone will be offended by what i am going to say)...

“I DON’T THINK PEOPLE NEED A LOT OF FRIENDS .
A few “TRUE FRIENDS” will be able to save the day so Y do you need to add on to that?”

That is y I don’t really contact some of them nowsadays. Then again, this does not mean I don’t treat them as ‘”FRIENDS”. In my heart, if they need help or need me, I will definitely be there for them. It just that maybe I AM JUST LAZY TO KEEP IN CONTACT WITH EVERYONE.

OK... I am so contradicting right now.

Haha... Maybe this reason is I AM LAZY. But this is human nature right?

So now I guess the right way forward is TO BRING THINGS BACK TO NORMAL WITH THE RECENT FRIEND I MADE.

I mean I just want things to be back to normal... Don’t really care about other things already.

Hopefully this will happens in due time.

As for whether you are thinking if I am EMO, I don’t think I am or maybe I am.

Haha... After all, if you read before all my posts, you will know. My brain and heart “works” differently. Sometimes my brain will be telling me, you have to do “this”, but my heart is telling me, “Nope that is wrong, you should do that.” To conclude, I am just having a few thoughts now.

Maybe it times to synchronise my BRAIN and HEART to think in the same direction.

Blackburn
(Ps. Can someone tell Blackburn not to employ Graeme Souness Please?)

(Pss. Can we extract WISDOM TOOTH with going over the Complicated stuff like surgery?... Maybe it time to pray. To tell whoever is looking after me up there that “Please make my wisdom tooth disappear. And if you can also, let me be rich.” So friends, if my wisdom tooth disappear, that means i’ll also be rich. Then again I always feel I will be rich eventually... Haha...)

(Psss. Please do not get offended by any of the above messages. If you are, keep it to yourself or just comment. If you are really really offended, you can call my hotline. It is 9*******. If you are my friend, you will know my number. Haha...)

Chocolate...

Hi,

If you like Ong Bak, you will like "Chocolate".

It is a thai movie of a female version of Ong Bak.

I think the movie is alright. So go and take a look!

Blackburn

New Rule Next Year...

Hi all,

Due to the recent lack of people from the USUAL GANG turning out for weekly soccer, I have come up with this new rule.

So just thinking if everyone with the clique is agreeable to it, then it will be inputted into our Weekly Sunday Soccer.

So as of January, I suggest that the USUAL GANG if possible, try to give their availability in advance for the WHOLE MONTH (Sunday only) to THE ORGANSIER of the MONTH.

Then, the organiser will not need to contact the USUAL GANG and just try to get enough people for the next few sunday.

Moreover, as adults now, PLANNING IN ADVANCE is not a very hard thing to do. AND unless you have sudden unforeseen issues, pls KEEP TO WHAT YOU STATED IN THE SCHEDULE. And if you have problems, contact the organiser.

As for the usual gang i includes;

Amanda
Alvin
Benny
Binghan
He Quan
Terence
Lulu
Kumar
Meiqing
Teh
Yazeed
Yusof
Psycho and Mendi – If you guys wanna come and can come, just contact the organiser in advance.

Is this agreeable? If u agree, pls put under comment, if you have strong rejections, pls state as well.

This is for our own good and for the future of our WEEKLY SOCCER.

I will make the new soccer contact list/organiser list and pass it out on Sunday.

Thanks.

Blackburn

IT'S THE FESTIVE SEASON AGAIN!! WHY THE GLOOMY VIBES???

Yo Guys,

Before I went on my 2 month long study break I saw Talen's emo post, upon returning the only thing that changed in the blog is another signature emo post by talen. Kong qiu la talen, recent events couldn't be further away from the truth right? happy hoR! more on that later..

Wat is happening man, other than lazy one liners on the shoutbox no one bothers to put the effort to put a post anymore? juz a simple post or a video to share with others will take no more than 10 mins of ur lives..

Its the festive season again! CHEER UP! why the glooM?! Such exciting times ahead! DECEMBER is the only month where the working class get much needed rest and reprieve to recharge! Think of it again! If u don't cherish this month, before u know it, it's January again and the work monotony ensues for the next 11 MONTHS! The cycle of ultimate boredom starts again!

So here is the list of proposed events which I'm gonna do with my poly and school frens! u guys are more than welcomed to join since some of the events need more people!

1: Paintball at the New Khatib Arena

2: Chek Jawa

3: Sports outing at Talen's Condo tentatively set on 8 Dec

4: Jurong East Swimming Complex, the one with the wave facility

5: The new Marina Reservoir Trek

6: 11 a side soccer ( where is amanda? )

7: Picnic at Sentosa ( Esther making sushi )

8: Customary Xmas Dinner

9: Church Camp

10: Anfield anyone?


I think the prority should be the Xmas dinner. Last year's turnout was pathetic and I really do not wish to have a repeat of last year. Watever happened to the fun gift exchange we have 2 years ago at Sakura? I enjoyed it immensely!

Lulu suggested having a BBQ at either Talen's Condo or below psycho's house. I suggest we have another dinner together. Either way we need to decide fast and book soon coz I reckon we aren't the only ones celebrating Xmas.

So guys, pls choose between BBQ or dinner and reply fast. Pls make this year an enjoyable one coz who knows if anyone is going overseas soon? This is the perfect timing coz Mandy can bring his PSB Kip, Talen his kip, by then Psycho can bring his target and everyone can bring whoever. Gift exchange muz also happen to boost the spirit!

Awaiting your PROMPT RESPONSES and SUGGESTIONS!

PLS POST IT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION NOT THE ONE LINER SHOUTBOX PLS!! coz the shoutbox word limit makes ppl lazy and type less...

god bless,
alonso

ps. btw anyone who lent me ur textbooks or anything now is the time to get it back. I will deliver it to ur house as a show of gratitude. Thanks again! I really appreciate it a lot!

Time Needed...

How long do you need to take to forget someone?

This is something i have been pondering on for quite some time.

Some of my friends take years... some of them took days...

But as i get older, i realise there is no need to forget. Maybe it will be easy to forget the unhappy times, but what about the happy times? These memories will follow you for life.

Thus, I realise it is not about forgetting someone, we don’t need to forget. We just need to let go of the emotions we have for that person.

Haha... But the latter may also sound ironic. But I have absolutely no idea what else I could say. After all, even if you try to patch back, I guess it will be in vain. Nevertheless, I guess one should just let it go.

Then another question stuck me, how long will you need to fall in love with someone?

Someone can take days, others take years....

But i guess, it just the time you need to have the courage to express your love.

So long never write already...

I'm NOT EMO... Just some thoughts.
Blackburn

WORLD RECORD DVPURUGS 7.23s

Heyy guys! Check out the latest craze at my workplace! Speed Stacking! Those who wanna give it a try can get the cups from me! keke my personal best is 20s lor! feel so ashamed.. haha hope u're all doing well! one more week of no soccer.. siansss...

amendi

It's back (and a whole lot of rubbish)...

Hi,

Yes its back… The phase which will come once in a while…

I realize I am desp again… haha… (The reason is stated in my previous post.)

Also I’ve been a bit emo recently… been listening to emo songs… and trying to relate them to me.

Also I’ve realize I’ve been more picky, esp on girls… It’s comparable to mendi’s pickyness. Haha… that’s bad considering I am single and my family is worried. Haha.

Anyway, I have been wondering “what is true love?” and “what is love at 1st sight?”

Do u know what that is? (If you are a girl, I warn you not to continue to read. I apologize if what I said irritate you. And what I said later is not exactly true of how I feel. It’s just what I am thinking of only. Trying to make use of my “rusty” analytical brain.)

For me, true love is love, which is a feeling, which is… nothing actually. I believe its how one defines it.

For me and maybe some of the clique members, I don’t believe it exists already. But somehow I believe everyone will always have someone out there whom is supposed to be your other half. So I am just waiting lor…

As for whether what is “love at first sight”, my version of explanation is “if the 1st thing I look at the person is her features and not her “body”, maybe that could be consider as “love at 1st sight”.

But sometimes I wonder how to not look at her body first, if it is what that stands out from that person.

It will be like “You look at her body then you progress to her face”.

Anyway I realize it will become an egg and chicken story.

So what is love at 1st sight and what’s your definition?

Haha… maybe its time to use your brain a bit.

Blackburn

A short one...

Hi,

The blog has been very quiet lately… Guess everyone is starting to lead a busy lifestyle… Even mendi is going studying…

I also been busy… moving house, difficult modules, career talks… Esp frustrated abt moving house… Its not even ready… and the security is so strict, I seriously don’t think anyone of u should come yet…

So sian…

Anyway, I guess most of u know I am single again… if you don’t, now you know… I still think of what we said at the end… its sort of stuck in my head… I never thought I will be so affected by it. I can feel myself changing into someone less “impractical”… but I still have my dreams… and hopefully it will be fulfilled one day.

Anyway after being single again, I already had 2 crushes. Impossible targets so just crushes… Furthermore, that day my mum ask me abt “whether I have any gf again” and my sisters ask “if I am gay since I have been single for so long”. Haha… Its only been 3 years and 4 mths already… is it really long?

Whatever… Life goes on…

And finally, WHAT IS PAUL INCE DOING AT BLACKBURN?.... Win, draw, lose…
If they fall out of the top ten this season… I am so gonna request PAUL INCE to leave Blackburn.

And thanks best friend for getting me the ORIGINAL BLACKBURN Jersey.

Happy…

Take care guys.

Blackburn

Breaking the monotony...

Birdie birdie in the sky,

Dropped some white stuff in my eye,

I'm a big boy I won't cry,

I'm just glad that cows don't fly.


--alonso

Kumar's birthday (08082008)

cutting cake!!!


Group photo 1

Group photo 2 ( benny, u are in a hurry huh)

Group photo 3 ( ahdu, mai sad )

Kumar, are you gg to sneeze??

Alas, forget to make a wish. Haf to light the candles again!!

Sms-ing kip huip siboh !!!

Yes Alvin ????

Artistic boh (taken by qingyuan)

ani fierce hor.....

The 3 musketeers

Yandao boh =)

Alvin & talen, mai sianzzzzzzz

Qy's left eye in between the fingers!!!

Mendi's smile is damn cute larrrrr

For more photos, come and look for me =)

Lulu

Spare me some of your brain cells...

Hi Pple,

Anyway I just need some of your "brain cell".

I guess some of you always know that I wanna to have my own business for the longest time. And I always have this particular idea in my head which i cannot seem to get rid of.

Its about earning money and helping the society.

This idea comes from 2 perspective. The movie "Pay it forward" and "The many unhappy people around the world that I have seen".

Long story short, I am having a hard time coming up with a system or an idea of combining business and helping the society.

The main idea I have is "A pays Me to help him do something or plan something that will make him happy, like sending a message or creating a wedding anniversary dinner for A and his/her partner. The condition is that if everything turns out well, A will need to "pay it forward" (help them do something, like quit smoking etc) to 2 or 3 other people."

Stated above is the vague idea I have.

Thus, I hope you will be able to spare me some time and use your fabulous brain cells to help me develop this idea.

And remember, if you help me to develop this idea, it is already the start of "Paying it forward".

Blackburn

SuperCuts!

Our appointment was at 10am. Ah Du normally starts work at 12pm but he clocked in earlier today because he feels learning to cut hair is more impt. Which I greatly agree, if not how to be David Gan no. 2?? hehhh..

After some face shape and hair analysis by his Boss, Ah Du gave my hair a good wash (he claims tt its super oilyy and scolded me for not bathing b4 coming! BOohooo!). The hair wash was very enjoyable, highly recommended!! $3 only! by Ah Du=) I was then brought back to my seat and just as I tot he was to start cutting, he excused himself to go toilet and did some real big business. SO basically I was staring at the mirror with a whole head of wet hair waiting patiently for him to be back. Right. Gonna deduct some pts for being unprofessional here mate! 10 min later he came back and started to snap off the back part of my hair, straight across, as instructed by Boss. This took abt 5min.

Ah Du snapping the back part of my hair.

NEXT up, his Boss came around to check and did some trimming and explanation about the next step, which was to 'create shape' to the bob hairstyle that she wanted him to cut. She demonstrated how to do it on the left side (was damn pro! Ah Du says she has been cutting hair for the past 16 yrs! GASP!). Ah Du then started doing the same to the right part of my hair. Apparently there was a technique to find the 'guideline' so he will know how much to cut. Initially he had trouble understanding this concept and his Boss had to come ard a few times to check and advise. As a hair model, my greatest concern was that if he screwed up the 'guideline' thingy I'm gonna end up with a 'hole' in my hair. Thus we came to a consensus - dun cut too much first, leave some room for error, which is not the best cos the whole process took EVEN LONGER! But more on that later..

Here, Ah Du trying to find the 'guideline'. This one peng long. I think abt 15min!

NExt Up, as usual his BOss came over to check on him and realised that the right side is MUCH SHORTER THAN THE LEFT SIDE! GASP! KAngtAO liao! So bobian, the Boss had to trim off the left side to even things out.. sobssss. So basically my hair turned out much shorter than I expected. But I think it will be ok a few weeks later, because the shape is more or less there already.

Here, Ah Du is trying to trim off the left side to compensate for the kangtao he created on the right side=((

Here, Ah Du is STILL trying to trim off the left side to compensate for the kangtao he created on the right side=(( I was starting to doze off already! No JOke!

Ah Du, giving my hair the finishing touches by blow drying and styling it thereafter.

Of course, nothing is complete until the Boss comes over to check. Time check: 12.05pm. The Boss commented "so how is it? no easy being a hair model hor?" hahahahaa

Let me recall the learning points (Ah Du! this is for your notebook also horr! dun forget the homework your boss gave you!)
1. When a customer walks in, considering her hair length, face shape, vibe she gives, you shld already have in mind what kind of hairstyle and the look you wanna achieve, the concept. GO ahead and sell him/her the idea, and discuss it openly. Ultimately, it must suit what the customer wants - fuss free ready to go hairstyle? sth totally diff to change her look? curls to look more feminine? etc.. This will also determine what hair products you wanna recommend and use on him/her as well.

2. Keep a note/sketchbook for all the haircuts tt you're gonna do for me!!! and practise the 'guideline' thingy on ur gf (eh bo la kong qio!)

3. Sometimes you have to go by 'feel', but that will come with practice and experience. When cutting hair, there are many techniques and ways to achieve the cut and look you wanna achieve. But ultimately, going with the 'huiling' is what you wanna achieve to make you a PRo!

OVERALL VERdicT:

Atmosphere: 5/5 (Very nice setting to cut hair with kips and cute guys all ard heh!)
Hair Wash: 4.5/5 (Water was too cold the 2nd time ard)
Skill: 3/5 (1st time cutting on real hair!!)
Professionalism: 3/5 (minus 1 pt for gg toilet in btw)
Value for money: 5/5 (thanks for paying ah du!)

reporting from SuperCuts @ Compasspoint.


PS: his boss is really quite kip..and rich too! keke!

amendi

What a review will do to you...

Hi ppl,

I am going back in 3 days time.

However, it seems like I have left on a bad note.

Before I say anything, I must state that I had the best working experience since I started working. It’s something related to business and something related to what I studied. It is even better that I was able to use what I learn in the work place.

BUT… it just have to end it this way.

On the last day, I have to do an evaluation on my performance and company, and that lady had to ask me to do an extra piece on the improvements the company should have.

I was just unwilling to do it.

Nevertheless, I did everything after a lot of things.

As I stated on the extra piece of information, it stated “Suggestions I think the company can improve on…”

Normally, in any company, I thought they will just look at it. If they like the comments, they will take it and implement it. If they don’t like, they can just throw away. RIGHT? And furthermore, it was just a review my boss should see right? And he should be the 1 reviewing it with me RIGHT?

And I don’t know Y it had to reach the HANDS of the LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

WTF right?

AND THE HEAD OF LEGAL gave me a review. And sort of said some stuff I don’t like. And also I already don’t really like him.

Nevertheless, he reviewed it and HE INTEND IN SEND IT TO THE CHAIRMAN of the company. Apparently the chairman is a sheikh. He is like one of the more powerful pple in UAE.

Apparently, they said they will NOT put my name. Is it a joy to behold?

Haha… But once u realize there are only 2 interns in the company and 1 of them is still working there. I bet he KNOWS who wrote the suggestions.

Anyway, I was still thinking whether to work there in the future (My boss ask me to go back.). Haha… now it is soooooooooo over.

Just sad cause I actually felt there are still opportunities in the country and company that I intend to pursue.

Whatever it is, if u r not in Singapore and u intend to do a performance review… be low profile. Talk about stupid things like food, toilet that will not get u screwed like me.

Blackburn

Trying to act busy...

Hi pple,

Just wondering, what do you guys do during your free time when you are working?
(Basically, I meant what you are doing when you are ACTING BUSY at work.)

What I did in UAE now is a new pastime of mine; READING BLOGS.

Haha… that is so not me… but anyway I have been reading blogs.

Here is a list of blogs that I read:

Xiaxue’s Blog – www.xiaxue.blogspot.com/
(Ok don’t laugh. I like her blog because it is so “Singapore”. And especially those Hokkien language that she adds to her blog. It is like talking to someone in our clique. Haha…)

Dawn Yang’s Blog – www.xanga.com/clapbangkiss
(I am just looking at the pictures. Haha… it is the most revealing pictures you can find in UAE. The rest are blocked. The funny thing is when you type “dil**” on google here, you will be blocked.)

Dawn’s Alter-Ego – http://www.xanga.com/dawn_wayang
(I like this… so funny.)

Kenny Sia – www.kennysia.com/
(Like his down to earth nature and his writings.)

Some random Malaysian’s blog – http://reenzz.blogspot.com/
(I found her blog on Kenny sia blog. She looks not bad. Anyway, Benny this is for you. No idea if she has bf. But I think she suit benny.)

Singapore funniest blog - www.talkingcock.com/
(I may be a latecomer in finding this website. But I doubt I need this much entertainment me when I have the clique in Singapore. I guess we are ti siao enough.)

No idea if you all read the blogs before but hope you have fun doing it WHILE YOU ACT BUSY.

That’s all.

Blackburn
(Coming back soon…soon…soon..)

1 more month before I return!

Hi Pple,

So how are all of you?

Let me tell U a very ti siao incident lately.

That night, I went to watch Portugal vs Germany in Dubai at a place called Irish Village.

When my colleagues and friends enter the place, I was stopped by the bouncer.

Bouncer: Hey, can you show me your ID?

I was so worried at that time, this is because I left my IC and passport in hotel.

The only ID I have left is my Ezlink.

So I just gave him my Ezlink.

Ter: Sorry, I am from Singapore. I did not bring my passport. This is the only ID I have left. But what is the problem?

He just said a word.

Bouncer: Age.

I almost laugh my brains out at the moment. This is because some of my friend who were younger than me has passed.

So after looking at my ezlink, he let me pass.

Then I went to ask my colleagues about the age limit here.

Ter: What is the age limit?

Colleague: Oh yah, they are quite strict here. Its only for 21 years and above.

I don’t know whether I should be happy or sad.

Another incident about my age also occur during my office celebration of my birthday. (YES, MY OFFICE GAVE ME A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION)

They prepared 2 cakes but the cakes only had 16 candles. Everyone started to ask about my age after looking at the cakes.

I said “16, shown on the cake.” But I also ask other to guess. And the result is 19,20. haha.. so funny.

Don’t know what they will guess about mendi’s age.

Okok… here are more photos.

Al Qasba. The only place in sharjah that shows EURO2008. But the commentary is in arabic. (Anyway, the longer you are here, the more you appraciate Arabic. I know how to look at numbers 0 to 9. haha... its important if we go shopping!)





Another picture on Burg Al Arab, with me and my other SMU interns.



And here is their livestock pasar malam. When pple buy the goats, sheeps or cow... seriously, I saw them just putting the animals in the car boot and left. Just imagine under a heat of 40 degree and in the car boot, bet the goat is cooked even before the car reach the destination.






That's all.

Anyway cannot wait to go back to singapore sooner. My body still cannot seem to adapt to the country after so long. Have been sick twice since i came here despite my healthy lifestyle here.

See ya soon.

Blackburn

As instructed...

Hi Guys,

As instructed, I am supposed to post pictures for you all to see.

Before I do that, as resquested, some Ti Siao incident by alonoso.

I went to the barber at the neigbourhood area instead of the City mall one. Furthermore I went to a Arabic Barber whom don't seem to know English.

The conversation goes like that.

T: Cut hair? How much?

BB: 25 Dirhams (less than 10 dollars)

T: ok.

I sat down and I thought I found a barber that speak English. So i started explaining to him the hair style i want.

T: Cut short, high slope.

BB just smile.

T: Cut short?

BB just smile again and said: You Japanese?

T: No. I am from Singapore.

BB: Pore?

T: Singapore.

BB: Oh you from Singapore.

After that to my horror, he just started cutting. At this moment, I just left it to fated.

Then to my surprise, I saw a list.

It states:

Children Hair cut: 25 Dirhams
Haircut/style: 30 Dirhams
.
.
.

As quickly as i can, I ask him: Can I get a haircut/style? 30 Dirhams?

BB just smile again.

At this moment, I was just hoping for the best.

In the end, I did get my haircut which was actually all right and HE DID STYLE MY HAIR only for 25 Dirhams. Haha.. so i save 5 dirhams.

But the way, he style my hair... a bit the anyhow...



This is how i style it the next morning.



Ok.. i dont think it is that Ti siao... But I have more... just lazy to type.

Anyway... more photos here...

Oh... FYI, The Malay CHicken RIce here cost only 8.5 Dirhams (Abt 4 dollars. But that is the cheapest here. The rest is more expansive. Furthermore, The chicken is like quite big piece.



Brug Al Arab... the 7 star hotel.



Oh... and here is speed racer and his racer.




and I went to the desert..




And the Pet Palsa Malam... (See what they sell.)





Ok.. that's all for now..

See ya soon.

Blackburn

My UAE...

Hi Guys,

At last, something better than the videos.

I think some “VIP of mine” saw MY CLIP… she was telling me about me having some Men’s Talk.

Then I realize. Haha..

Whatever, I guess this is a part of me that people in my school don’t know about.

Ok… this is not my topic.

After listening to Alonso talk abt his trip, maybe I should give some of you a glimpse of my UAE.

First and foremost, UAE is safe. I believe it is even safer than some South East Asia countries that we go to. But then I live in Sharjah, which tends to be more conservative. Initially when I was leaving Singapore, my family was like telling me not to travel alone, not to go out at night and etc etc… But after living here for a month or so, I seriously think it cannot be safer. And the important thing is you don’t see police car patrolling around.

Secondly, MOST OF the people living here are really friendly. Thanks to all the “terrorist” talks… I guess people create a stereotype of them even before they know them. But there is 1 thing you should taken note of; the friendly people are not the natives and you have to be friendly towards them too.

Thirdly, Cars here are really cheap. Oil is cheap. Electronics are cheap. The rest tend to be a bit more expansive.

Since the cars are cheap, the traffic is shit. The only thing that I don’t think I will do is to drive here. I suck at it. Furthermore, sometimes will you feel that like the taxi driver is some F1 racer, traveling at 120km/h and cutting into people’s lane without signaling.

I feel I have also made a lot of friends here. The office boys in my office, the laundry man at the shop, the Indian waiter making the shewama, the hotel bellboy, the hotel receptionist, the hotel security guard, my colleagues, the hotel driver and the list goes on… (Note: None of them are natives yet.)

Fourthly, I also had a nice birthday surprise here. It was quite funny and it was really nice. THE BEST THING WAS I GOT A BIG BOX OF CHOCOLATES by the brand Patchi. It’s some Godiva kind of chocolates.

I have also learned how to read the Arabic numbers from 0 to 9. Haha… and also I have been watching Dragonball in Arabic. After living here for a month, you learn to appreciate Arabic. (As if….)

Another thing was that you know people get woken up by chicken in the morning. You get woken up by prayers at 4am every morning here. Haha…

Lastly, I am so gonna try the neighborhood barber here. Apparently, people here recognize me by the hair. Hopefully I get a good haircut here. I heard some of them dun understand English. Good luck to me!

Mendi, I think you should come here to work. Office boy earn like AEZ4k (About S$1.5k) after a year. Haha… Just imagine what the rest earns. I heard reception earns AEZ20k, recent grad earn AEZ18K.

That’s all.

Anyway GMH, I absolutely have no idea what to get here. If you all want anything, tell me.

AND I am thinking of is to buy the EURO2008 soccer ball (the replica 1). What u think of it?

Blackburn
Still having fun here and trying to save more money!

We are but merely Lego sets....

Hi guys,

In order to deflect the spotlight on the 2 controversial videos below, I've decided to create a new post so visitors dun juz see the videos.

Its been a darn long while since I posted, so I figured this is the best time to do so coz of my holidays.

First and foremost allow me to share my experience in the Himalayas as promised. Below are the pictures I took. It wasn't the most comfortable holiday I've ever been to, but as with all things, for every sacrifice there is an invaluable lesson to be learnt.

I was blessed to be heavily subsidised for the trip so I paid only $450 for a trip that on hindsight easily cost more than 3K. The school only selected a few ppl for the trip so thank God that they shortlisted me. I guess he put me on that plane for a reason.

To be honest, the only reason I went in the beginning was to jump on the chance to visit a country that I will probably never ever visit later in my life as it is not the most ideal holiday destination. Let's face it, who in the world would want to go to Nepal when it cost more than a trip to Europe? Coupled with the subsidy and a bunch of great frens, it helped me make my mind up.

So fast forward to the trip itself. I was again blessed to be able to have a window seat after the Thailand transit. It was the afternoon and it was the best landscape I have ever seen in my life. The view from above the cloud, looking down on the snow capped mountains, winding rivers and vast greenary was majestic. The sight of houses looking no bigger than my Lego sets made my faith stronger. I thought to myself, 'this was the view God has of us'. We are so damn puny it was almost amusing. We are nothing more than a speck to him, like the movie Horton.

Oh ya btw I had 2 helpings of the airplane lunch, it was mutton that tasted so good.

When we finally touched down, it was the first time I had ever got off a plane on the runway itself! The tarmac greeted us as the stairs lowered straight down to the ground.

We spent one night in the Capital of Kathmandu and the van ride was as usual, my way of soaking in the country's culture. I've always cherished this time and never waste it on sleeping. Every face, building, shop, children, street, activity made up the country and to waste the time to take a nap is a grave mistake.

It felt like India, but in my opinion this was worse because the weather was so cold, yet homeless people were without clothes on their backs, children sleeping on cardboards while I shivered with my multiple layers of wool. An unexplainable overwhelming sense of guilt overwhelmed me, as though I was responsible for their plight.

The next day we travelled to the city of Pokhara before our 5 day trek up the mountains. It was the rural mountainous areas, away from the hustle of the city and definately more peaceful. The scene from my hotel window was unreal. Imagine waking up in the morning and sitting in the balcony, watching the sun rise up from behind the snow capped mountains.

The cold was really getting to me at the start of the trek, but after we started, it got better. The first thing that caught our attention were the porters (there is a term which I can't remember) attached to us. They were our so called guardians throughout the 5 day trek and they were assigned to carry our big bags ahead of us while we carried our small bags. When I say big bags, I really mean big bags!

Those in the army will know the weight and size of the duffel bags. A single bag of mine was super heavy and each one of them carried 3!!!! What they did was to string all 3 bags together, put them in a basket, and attach a rope to their heads for balance and off they went! The best part was, they were always 2 hours earlier in arriving! And all of them were smaller sized than me! All of us felt useless upon seeing them.

Every stop we made, they were in charge of serving drinks to us, cooking our food and ensuring our well-being. As in turned out, they became my personal life savers as well! More on that later.

The trek itself was more daunting than I expected, the steep steps were enough to kill. I began to retract my statements of the mundane training we had in Bukit Timah hill. At times it was precarious, room for only a single file. Each day we trekked for about 5-6 hours, and spent the night in 5 different tea houses, one for each night.

We only experienced snow when we reached the 4th day, when we were at the peak of the mountains. That was the first time I saw real snow, not the hail stones we find at Toa Payoh. It was as pure as Yui. And the first thing my frens did were to jump into the snow, then realised it was a stupid thing to do because we didn't know how thick it was and what was beneath it. But we couldn't care less.

It was fun at first, but then it got more than we asked for. The snow made our trek very slippery and dangerous. I had to use a hiking pole and stick it inside to keep my balance. And we fell many times. The porters, knowing we will have trouble, came back and literally gave us a hand. They did not use any poles, but walked on frictionless japalang worn out shoes with soles as thick as tissue.

Then came a part where I felt like my life was literally hanging by a thread. We were at the side of the mountain with the path only enough for one foot. Any slip will see a plummet to certain death. I did not dare to look down but every step was a uncontrollable slide on snow. Then came my Heroes. Laughing and smiling, 2 of them grabbed my underarm, one on each side and lifted me up the ground to the other side. They were laughing in their language and it didnt take a scientist to figure out their object of amusement was me. Of course I laughed along and kept thanking them, but deep down I felt utterly useless! Here I was wearing so many damn layers of clothing, with a hat, gloves and my army boots, being 'rescued' by people wearing a T-shirt and shoes older than my grandmother! They were almost like playing in a park. while cold sweat covered my forehead!

In the nightly debrief, we all agreed to give more towards their tips because without them, I was 90% sure u guys will have one less member of the clique now.

So to show my appreciation, I attached the pictures of them below. The guy in the Bandana was my favourite. We kept trying to communicate to no avail, but I guessed we understood wat each other meant.

So to him and his Band of Heroes, thank you and God bless! U guys were my unsung heroes. I will never ever forget u guys. It was my honour to be served by you. If you ever stumble across this blog, drop me a msg.

There are so much more stuff that I wan to share with u guys but I gtg now, tune in to my next part where I talk about the heart-wrenching tales of the children I saw there.

Till then, NAMASTE!

God Bless,
alvin

Men's Talk =)

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TALEN!!

-Psycho

Must Have Been Loveee...

Was clearing pics and vids on my lappy when i chanced upon this vid we took in batam a few years ago. just for laughs!

alvin dun kill me! keke!

D7 for 3 years... Its proven why!

Hi Pple,

I guess I cannot say I am a nice guy anymore.

On 4th of June, my company in celebrated my birthday.

So U see… I have to write a “nice email to thank them. This is what I wrote…

“Dear Party Planners,

First and foremost, especially Lina, Jessie, Maria, thank you for all the time and effort you put in to plan this birthday party.

I was not expecting it and it was really a pleasant surprise for me. I never thought I will be celebrating my birthday overseas, especially in UAE. Furthermore, this seems to be the first time I spend my birthday away from my family. So this means a lot to me.

Thank you for getting me 2 cakes as well. 1 is never enough.

Also thanks for the “photos” and Captions printout. It is very creative. I intend to bring them back to Singapore and keep them for good.

Finally, I really appreciate your actions and hope everything will turn out well for you as well.

FIY, I am not 16 but 24. Haha.

Thank you.

Regards,
Birthday Boy
Terence”

Luckily, I ask my friend to edit before I send out.

And she said it was funny. She edited it to…

“Dearest colleagues,

It was such a pleasant surprise and I was extremely touched by all the efforts and preparations you all took to throw me a wonderful birthday celebration.

In particular, I would like to extend my greatest gratitude to Lina, Maria, Leslie, Marjorie, Jency, Arslaan and all who was involved in the surprise party.

I was speechless as I was not expecting any celebration since this is the first time I’m away from my family on my birthday. Therefore, this surprise truly meant a lot to me.

Thank you for the fantastic decorations and the lovely birthday cakes and most importantly the wonderful memories that I will truly treasure once I’m back in Singapore.

From the bottom of my heart, I again thank all of you and wishing you the very best in your future endeavours.

Thank you.”

Haha..

So as this show… my level of English.

Now I understand why my GP is D7 for consecutive 3 years.

Haha..

Blackburn
(Hopefully MARK HUGHES DOESN’T GO TO MAN CITY… I see Blackburn downfall if he is not around… I don’t mind Maninci though. Haha..)

Tour de Ubin

Hey guys!

In view of a soccer-less Sunday this week, let's embrace the rustic charms of Pulau Ubin and maybe check out Chek Jawa=)

DATE: 8 June 2008, Sunday
TIME: 10am at Tampines Interchange
EVENT: Cycling at PULAU UBIN

Bring along insect repellent, clothes to change, sunblock and swimming attire if you intend to jump into the quarry for a swim.

We'll rent our bikes there (yes bingtai they actually have bikes there!!)
Bingtai suggested potluck (he volunteered to bring ice) and I've got Lao Whiskey for you guys. Feel free to comment and give ideas.

Leave a comment to confirm your attendance by Thurs 2359, and we'll see how's the response=)

cheers!
amanda

UAE Photos...

Hi Guys,

Firstly, alonoso.. too many questions. 1 at a time. If u really want me to buy stuff email me. AND SEND ME $$. it should also not be too heavy later i need to pay extra charge when i get back.

And these are some pictures i take in Dubai..

For a start just 5 pictures...

More next time.

Blackburn