Gear 2

Second lesson ! (Guess I'm not scared enough...)
Arrived at meeting point and saw my instructor cutting his toe nails... Lol, guess we're on time...
Thus, began the lesson...
Went back to practice of first lesson's route (u-turn, right turn, left turn) Have to say, I suck...
Especially getting the clutch to biting point, forgot how many times the engine died... Talk about improvement, this is a major deprovement... A little depressed...
After an hour plus at the route, it's time to head back. Instead of him driving, I was behind the wheels... Super scary, especially negotiating with cars beside me... Got so stressed that I almost couldn't hear his instruction (my luck that he didn't scold me)
Body tensed, I forgot to pull the handbrake and the vehicle rolled back... Good thing there's nothing behind...
So tired after the drive.... Must improve!

Diving again..?

Met up with Ngo and Hsien Yao at our diving instructor's place for party. The party is supposedly to celebrate someone's birthday and also for our instructor's photo winning third place in some competition. Not bad, had been a while since we met... Too bad Chang wasn't free...

Anyway, during the party, there was screening of diving photos. Have to say, they made me really want to dive again... All the fishes, marine creatures... Taking a break in some resort surrounded with beautiful sea... Relaxation... That's the life....

However, reality-wise, it may be difficult to plan a trip since we are starting school soon... Oh well, hope can dive again soon ...

Driving

Finally..., I got myself a driving instructor and began my first driving lesson.
Prior to the lesson, I was thinking that my instructor would be a very old, strict and mean person because that is how he sounded over the phone. Also, most times, it was dificult to communicate with him...
However, during the lesson, I thought that he is quite patient (maybe I should save my opinions till I spent more lessons with him)...

Anway, driving is, how should I put it, fun, interesting but also very, very dangerous. I could think of many different situations that could occur... Besides, my current driving skill is too awful...
Lol, I better improve!

Age

Lol... Don't know whether to laugh or to cry about it...
Had been a couple of times where people say I don't look like my age...
Recently, one even commented that he thought I was still in secondary school. Please, secondary school was like 5 years ago for me.
Either it is because I don't act like my age or I really look young. (hope is the latter)
Maybe I should try to act old, but who cares.
Lol..., youth is power

Book: For one more day

Author:
Mitch Albom

Plot:
A man who have lost his career, his wife and his daughter decided to end his life. During his unconsciousness, he was back at his hometown. In his family home, he saw his mother whom he had no chance to see when she died eight years ago. Thus began a story of realisation and personal choices.

Review:
Similar to other Mitch Albom books (Tuesdays with Morrie, The five person you meet in heaven), Mitch Albom sure knows a way to touch the heart with his stories. The story could happen to anyone, which made it sincere. Personally, there were some parts which I could identify within myself. It is a good thing that it is not too sappy or over-optimistic. A good afternoon read.

Day 8:

It was our last day in Korea, and we were already missing it.
Woke up real early to catch the train to the fish market. How could we miss the chance to experience it. Yet, after the previous late night activities, waking up early proved to be a dauting task.
It was an hour ride and we risked getting lost and not making it back in time (luckily Jay was with us).
The fish market was definitely worth waking up early for. The freshness of the seafood, the different varieties... Too bad we didn't have chance to try the raw baby octopus (a delicacy?). After a brief 15 minutes exploring the fish market, it's time to leave the place or risk boarding our tour bus.

Fish market

So many stalls

After another hour ride and really fearing that we lost our way, we managed to rush back to the hotel. We still had a couple of minutes to spare while the rest of the tour group continue to bring their luggages down.

This time, the breakfast was Chinese (had porridge and you tiao). A very Chinese meal indeed, though I was hoping to have a last Korean-style breakfast before we leave Korea. Oh well, it's good to have a change and breakfast wasn't that bad.

Who ordered Chinese

After the somewhat light breakfast, we went to some dongcongxiacao shop. Maybe it's due to the expensive ginseng that almost everyone bought, no one seemed interested in the herbs. All the better so that we could proceed to the next shop.

After the brief interlude at the dongcongxiacao shop, we went to Women fashion street. Cool, because I was hoping I could get something for my sister and mom. However, at 11am, most of the shops were not opened yet... What a disappointment...

Shops began to stir...

As promised, we went to a shop that sold all the Korean tidbits and souvenirs. But all the stuffs were so expensive compared to similar products in Lotte mart... Felt so cheated by the commission-greedy tour guides (that's their job...)... Have no choice but to spend the rest of my money on heavily-priced goods... What to do, don't feel like bringing the wons home...

Cheaty

After the angry episode at the shop, it was time for lunch, our last meal in Korea. For lunch, we had braised chicken. It was quite delicious, not just because it is the last meal in Korea, but really so. (tasted like home-cooked food!)

Chicken stew

After the hearty meal, it was time to check in for our flight. Very sad that we were leaving... What to do...

The ticket home

Beautiful nature

It may be a short trip, but overall, I really enjoyed myself. Especially since I was travelling with my best friends. Almost getting emo...

Oh well, another destination next time then, maybe someplace less taxing on the wallets. Lol...

Just have to say thank you to everyone who made the trip a success, and definitely kudos to ASA and tourguide and camera man.

Really, thank you.

living...

Are we living the future of our parents,
or the past that they could not have...

Sis's Bday

Lol..., it seems as if everyday is someone's birthday (it is...) Today's my sis's birthday and we had dinner at Manhattan's fish market.
Had the Manhattan Seafood Platter for two, a personal favourite for deep-fried indulgence. Finishing the enormous serving proved to be a task
had fun, that's more important

Grandpa's Bday

Today's Grandpa's Bday. The venue of the great occasion was at my uncle's place since grandpa is staying there. Similar to every year, there are so many relatives, so many cousins that I have not met and do not know... Such an irony, being in such a big group but feeling so isolated... It got worse when I was asked about my university because I am still in a dilemma, in a standstill. Really don't know what to say

In all, I would say the event was a success. The gathering. The happiness. The celebration of life.

Movie: The Forbidden Kingdom (PG)

Synopsis:
An American teenager, having discovered the magical staff belonging to the monkey king, was transported to the mythical world. As role of the seeker, he must return the lost staff to the monkey king. Along the way, he was deterred by the armies of the Jade Warlord, which includes the 'Bride of the white hair'. Lucky for him, he met the Drunk Immortal (Jackie Chan), the silent monk (Jet Li) and golden sparrow (Liu Yi Fei), who aided his quest.

Review:
It is difficult to mix Chinese kungfu with the English language, and this show is a good example of it. The translation from Chinese proverbs to English sounded so foreign and most of the actors have poor enunciation. That aside, this show is rather impressive, starting from the first collaboration between two major kungfu star (Jackie Chan and Jet Li) to all the laugh-inducing moments. You knew that the show will be a comedy when you see the highly-entertaining Jade Emperor flying butterfly-liked into the 'Gate of no gate'. It's simply hilarious. Extra credits must be given to Li BingBing as the 'Bride of the white hair'. Acting-, bitchy- and funny-wise were prevalent in her and her multi-purpose white hair. To quote from Ong Sor Fern, it is impossible not to laugh. Another actress to take note of would be the pretty Liu Yi Fei.
However, watching the show, it is a little sad that this will be how the westerns view chinese culture and kungfu. It seems to be a little stereotyping the chinese culture.

Rating:
3.5/5

Cathay Downtown East

Went to Downtown East for the so-called grand opening of Cathay's cineplex. Why so-called grand, because at the moment, the building which houses the cineplex (it's next to the multi-story carpark) is still ungoing renovation. Thus, the whole place is rather dusty, some may even face breathing difficulty. That be said, I am fascinated by the indoor Ferris wheel since they have an outdoor one at Escape themepark.

Indoor Ferris

Finally arrived at Cathay. Occupying a portion of the fourth storey, it is considered quite small and it has less than 10 theatres. Maybe they will expand on it. Anyway, due to the small pool of customers, the service was fast and expectedly good.

The lastest

Rather small...

Venturing into theatre 5, it was an average sized one. The seats were a little small, maybe a little crampy. Maybe because it is a new theatre, there was a weird smell. The temperature setting was quite comfortable. What I like about the new theatre are those foldable tables attached to the chairs, similar to those in lecture theatres. That ensured a proper place to put my food instead of dirtying my pants. Definitely a plus point for me.

In all, I think the cineplex is catered more for the people having chalets. Not a bad idea after all.

Huh-ry Potter

I must admit that harry potter is a great read, always anticipated to get the next book. The ending was rather well-done too. It's almost a classic to me. Such beautiful memories should not be tainted by all the court battles, rumours and what so ever.

Newspaper boy

Lol... It's back to giving out newspapers. But now, at a different location.... CBD area. The job is relatively easy with an expected pay rate. If only I do not have to wear their t-shirt.

I realised there are some groups of people with no newspaper:
a) Those who think holding newspaper will spoil their image
b) Those who simply cannot be bothered with news

Though I can understand those:
c) Don't have time to read
d) Want to save the environment

Not bad, quite fun

The selfish robot (part I)

In the forgotten corner of the replacement plant, I looked back on my life.

I am a robot, with functioning mechanism and my own unique model tag.

Who are my parents?
I have no idea. I just know that I am here to replace them, in the replacement cycle.
Do I have siblings?
Not that I care.
Do I have friends?
Unless they serve any practical purposes.

Like any other robots, my existence is to improve the world, or so I think.
Everybody lives in their own world, their own life, without thinking for others. It is unlikely that our paths will ever intersect. It is just not practical.
Why should we care about others? I was not programmed to do that. What gains do I get? Emotional support? Not that it could be traded in for money. Happiness? What is that? So long we accomplish the path that was set for us, we should be 'happy'. Who cares what others think about me, they don't have the same model tag as me.

Cold? Well, it has always been this cold, get used to it.

Meet-up

This post was a little late, maybe a little more...
Anyway, it had been weeks since my clique met up, really frustrating... So..., we decided to meet up for lunch at Marina Square. A little indecisive, we couldn't decide on what to eat (as usual), we walked and walked and ended up at Kenny Rogers

As usual, I thought that the serving was small, but it always never fail to surprise me.

Kenny's Chicks

Feeling a little rich (as if...), we went for desserts at where else..., Swensens, cos someone misses the sticky chewy chocs...

Craving for the sweet tooth

Look back

Today is the last day of my internship. Was a little confused on whether to extend it. Not that the place is bad, in fact, it is a good place for research. However, was feeling not up to it and that had some stuffs to settle. Anyway, looking back on this internship, it was indeed a happy experience. The HR department really goes all out to make the interns happy.

Like a couple of weeks back, they organised a retreat for the interns. It's simply wow. Makes you feel really appreciated, even when you are an intern. The retreat was held at one of Changi's chalet. The whole day was simply games to bond the interns and also an introductory on the organisation.

So Beautiful

Yippee, Bbq

Feeling the sunset

Now that it is over, was feeling a little sad though. Not sure how it will work out, as usual. If given another chance, I wouldn't mind intern-ing there again. It was great.

Extra Yummy

Wow, today was my second last day at work and guess what, my sup gave us a farewell treat, totally unexpected since I was at the workplace for only a mere three months. We had lunch at Holland V's crystal jade. The food was not bad, but the xiao long bao seemed to have shrunk in size and lackened in taste. But it was the thought of the treat from sup that made the food extra-delicious. Thank you, sup!!

And more...

It just got darker and colder ...