Alright guys! Heading to the airport in a couple of hour time. Still can contact me in taiwan through my mobile. But no prank calls or don't call to tell me a joke or something like that. I make sure you will pay for that few DOLLARS of talk time. Best way is to message me and wait for me to call back.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The final battle
Past few days have been listening to high ranking officers giving us motivational talks and giving us thanks. The push for the final battle begins in a few days time. Today we all did a reflection. A reflection of the days that have flew by probably faster than the concord.
1 year 6 months begin with training in BMTC before joining my current unit. Much have been done since then for example Army Open house and Bilatral exercies. Ops duties are part and parcel of a combat unit. Of course we have to stand up and respond to the call at the sacrifice of time spend with all love ones.
Training no doubt is tough. Injuries never seems to be recovering. My sprained ankle and knee hurts most when aggrivated. But can never avoid to aggrivate it because i need my legs to walk, to run. So endure through the pain.
With so much encouragement and good comments coming from people all the way from the top. And i really mean the TOP! A reputation built from zero to something takes no mean feat to built. As the final battle begins soon.
I begin to wonder, has all that i gone through the past 1 year and 6 months. is it all worth it? all the sacrifices made in and out of camp. 36 days is a long trip. Of course i am always looking forward to the R&R, a chance to see taiwan in its asian glory as a high tech city.
I will leave it up to the day when the jet aircraft touch terra firma in Singapore to tell the answer to all. The final battle... Let's see what all comes down to. All i know for now. I am just a citizen soldier.
Auf Wiedersehen!
1 year 6 months begin with training in BMTC before joining my current unit. Much have been done since then for example Army Open house and Bilatral exercies. Ops duties are part and parcel of a combat unit. Of course we have to stand up and respond to the call at the sacrifice of time spend with all love ones.
Training no doubt is tough. Injuries never seems to be recovering. My sprained ankle and knee hurts most when aggrivated. But can never avoid to aggrivate it because i need my legs to walk, to run. So endure through the pain.
With so much encouragement and good comments coming from people all the way from the top. And i really mean the TOP! A reputation built from zero to something takes no mean feat to built. As the final battle begins soon.
I begin to wonder, has all that i gone through the past 1 year and 6 months. is it all worth it? all the sacrifices made in and out of camp. 36 days is a long trip. Of course i am always looking forward to the R&R, a chance to see taiwan in its asian glory as a high tech city.
I will leave it up to the day when the jet aircraft touch terra firma in Singapore to tell the answer to all. The final battle... Let's see what all comes down to. All i know for now. I am just a citizen soldier.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Take it with a pinch of Salt
Let's take it with a pinch of salt, leading two seperate lives as one is difficult. Everyday is like treading through a minefield. I will never know when i step on a mine, big or small.
Quietly, i saw it coming. Didn't want to say it out because of my promises. Gave the trust but was betrayed. For those who still don't know me well, whenever i am committed into something, I make sure i see it right to the end. I will get pissed and/or annoyed easily when i don't see it finishing. And also trust is one thing that is hard to gain from me. Never one day i will simply give my trust to people just because they need it. Either you earn it or you find it somewhere else.
Seriously, i have to admit my actions have a part to play in all that has happen, i don't hold blame to anyone for it. But its hard to accept apologies and forgive. Give me some time. For now, there is a void inside me. 2 in fact.
At the end of the day, I will take it with a pinch of salt. I leave for taiwan with a few questions in my mind answered. A little unsettled still, hard to give it all up, all the hopes and dreams I will still hold dear to me, let it linger in my mind perhaps as a source for motivation during the tough 30 odd days there but work will still go on. Be brave and strong as there are more things in life awaits me! =) Thanks Joel for being there when I am most down and out. Truely blessed to have this friendship, brotherhood. God will continue to bless us!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Quietly, i saw it coming. Didn't want to say it out because of my promises. Gave the trust but was betrayed. For those who still don't know me well, whenever i am committed into something, I make sure i see it right to the end. I will get pissed and/or annoyed easily when i don't see it finishing. And also trust is one thing that is hard to gain from me. Never one day i will simply give my trust to people just because they need it. Either you earn it or you find it somewhere else.
Seriously, i have to admit my actions have a part to play in all that has happen, i don't hold blame to anyone for it. But its hard to accept apologies and forgive. Give me some time. For now, there is a void inside me. 2 in fact.
At the end of the day, I will take it with a pinch of salt. I leave for taiwan with a few questions in my mind answered. A little unsettled still, hard to give it all up, all the hopes and dreams I will still hold dear to me, let it linger in my mind perhaps as a source for motivation during the tough 30 odd days there but work will still go on. Be brave and strong as there are more things in life awaits me! =) Thanks Joel for being there when I am most down and out. Truely blessed to have this friendship, brotherhood. God will continue to bless us!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Missing everyone!
What have been a month to relax and prepare for taiwan became a very busy moment for all. I shall spare the details.
All i know is that i truely miss sleeping on my bed over night at home even though i do get time off every now and then to rest and do a little laundry and ad-hoc work at home. Not forgetting to perfect that Disney classic "A Whole New World" for my dearest. Balancing time between Suky and family too! Aww... I miss you so much!
Sorry to Joel and Eddie, shall meet up with you guys someday, hopefully before taiwan. Thanks for the appreciation phone call. Your backside is safely guarded. =)
Shots from the Singapore Airshow is out! Got a few decent shots of the Black Knight's formations with the classy grainy effect from traditional Film. It does give me the feeling of F-16's are aircraft from the 70's - 80's. All are done in manual focus because of the slow Auto Focusing my lens has. But still all shots turn up clear and sharp.
Auf Wiedersehen!
All i know is that i truely miss sleeping on my bed over night at home even though i do get time off every now and then to rest and do a little laundry and ad-hoc work at home. Not forgetting to perfect that Disney classic "A Whole New World" for my dearest. Balancing time between Suky and family too! Aww... I miss you so much!
Sorry to Joel and Eddie, shall meet up with you guys someday, hopefully before taiwan. Thanks for the appreciation phone call. Your backside is safely guarded. =)
Shots from the Singapore Airshow is out! Got a few decent shots of the Black Knight's formations with the classy grainy effect from traditional Film. It does give me the feeling of F-16's are aircraft from the 70's - 80's. All are done in manual focus because of the slow Auto Focusing my lens has. But still all shots turn up clear and sharp.
Auf Wiedersehen!Saturday, March 01, 2008
Survivor Tekong
It was a mad dash for home and to book into camp by 9pm last sunday. Anyway, I was at the Singapore Airshow 2008. The flying display was damn cool especially the Black Knights. Compared to the previous airshows, this time round we are closer to the flying display so my cam can capture it up close. Pics are currently being sent for processing. Down side was the long waiting for buses to get in and out of the venue. Not a good plus point. Unless you intend to take the limo taxi for $45 to any destination of your choice or the additional $8 surcharge on top of the prevailing rates for normal taxi.
So we have to book in early to make final preparations for the so-called last oufield in Singapore. Lots of things to pack especially food into my LBV. haha! Moved out to seletar for harbouring 1 night before we are troop lift to changi beach for assualt boat ride to tekong. So we were preparing, waiting and eating in a public area. Certainly raises a few eye browns for the civilians to see a large group of NS guys. haha! Anyway after a long wait, higher HQ got fed up because the waves of boat are taking too long so we route march to SAF Ferry Terminal for fast craft ride over. But i certainly do enjoy lying down on the grass patch seeing aircraft taking off especially the beautiful 747 and 777's.
Embark on 2 missions without re-supply of water and other essential items for 3 days. Until FIBUA village we get our re-supply. Saw the recruits doing FIBUA training. Walking past them with our shagged out faces scaring them how tough it was our mission but actually we just woke up from a short nap. LOL. So when doing our last misson the recruits kept looking at us building up obstacles, enjoying sips of 100 plus and bottles of cordial eating tibbits. Sure remind me of those days were commerical items are forbidden.
Exercise cut and we return back to BMTC parade square. Making a mess at the boot washing point, flooded with sand and mud. Enjoy the use of Staff toilet at one of the coy (hey! it was a forbidden ground during BMT k!). See recruits doing their 5BX with run in the early morning when i just lie down on the bench sleeping. Canteen break for the famous Roti John, but it was close. Bump into my friend who is a perm staff at BMTC.
Attended Touch 2008 by NUS Piano Ensemble after book out at UCC. At the invitation of a camp mate's girlfriend who will be performing. Overall the concert was very nice, enjoy it very much. Most of the repertoire are transcribe pieces so it gives a different feeling to the pieces as compared to the original composition.
Going to take a good rest for the next 3 days.
Auf Wiedersehen!
So we have to book in early to make final preparations for the so-called last oufield in Singapore. Lots of things to pack especially food into my LBV. haha! Moved out to seletar for harbouring 1 night before we are troop lift to changi beach for assualt boat ride to tekong. So we were preparing, waiting and eating in a public area. Certainly raises a few eye browns for the civilians to see a large group of NS guys. haha! Anyway after a long wait, higher HQ got fed up because the waves of boat are taking too long so we route march to SAF Ferry Terminal for fast craft ride over. But i certainly do enjoy lying down on the grass patch seeing aircraft taking off especially the beautiful 747 and 777's.
Embark on 2 missions without re-supply of water and other essential items for 3 days. Until FIBUA village we get our re-supply. Saw the recruits doing FIBUA training. Walking past them with our shagged out faces scaring them how tough it was our mission but actually we just woke up from a short nap. LOL. So when doing our last misson the recruits kept looking at us building up obstacles, enjoying sips of 100 plus and bottles of cordial eating tibbits. Sure remind me of those days were commerical items are forbidden.
Exercise cut and we return back to BMTC parade square. Making a mess at the boot washing point, flooded with sand and mud. Enjoy the use of Staff toilet at one of the coy (hey! it was a forbidden ground during BMT k!). See recruits doing their 5BX with run in the early morning when i just lie down on the bench sleeping. Canteen break for the famous Roti John, but it was close. Bump into my friend who is a perm staff at BMTC.
Attended Touch 2008 by NUS Piano Ensemble after book out at UCC. At the invitation of a camp mate's girlfriend who will be performing. Overall the concert was very nice, enjoy it very much. Most of the repertoire are transcribe pieces so it gives a different feeling to the pieces as compared to the original composition.
Going to take a good rest for the next 3 days.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
CNY & Outfield 1
Ok. Where have i left off?
CNY was again very routine every year. Booked in on Tuesday afternoon. then went to 30SCE to send our bridge for servicing. Met up with our platoon mate that got posted out. at night was a chill out session at the mess with the whole platoon. i shall spare the details. CNY eve morning was games and celebration in camp. We were suppose to play games to earn cash to bid for items during the celebration part. So after the games, we can place bets to double our earning by playing "Big Small". Later is the bidding part for bowling vouchers, movie vouchers, TV sets and fussball table. cool eh!
Reunion dinner then the next day all the visiting. Mahjong session at my grandma's place. See only, i don't know how to play even though i learn before. Too chim. Saturday went to visit dear's parents. Treated with good food and liquor. haha! thanks dear! Caught Kung Fu Dunk because dear wanted to get out of her house. Hmmm... the movie i think overall is to make Jay Chou look cool only la. but Kuddos to Eris Tsang's acting. Old Ginger is still hottter (translate to chinese).
I went out for a 5 days exercise. walk a very long distance. south to the north of western singapore. cutting through vegetation, skirting pass NIE, into the cemetry (which was a little freaky to walk at night) into a pandan leaf farm i think coz there were pandan leafs all over. and hit the objective la. Sprained my ankle which left me staying in the ambulance for 2 days. missed out the fun part of the exercise. i can only watch from afar. Nvm... the next one is coming up in a week's time at Tekong. hopefully can recover by then.
Dinner and lau yu sheng at my place last night. as usual again every year. got birthday celebration also for a birthday boy. then accompany dear back to hall.
Auf Wiedershen!
CNY was again very routine every year. Booked in on Tuesday afternoon. then went to 30SCE to send our bridge for servicing. Met up with our platoon mate that got posted out. at night was a chill out session at the mess with the whole platoon. i shall spare the details. CNY eve morning was games and celebration in camp. We were suppose to play games to earn cash to bid for items during the celebration part. So after the games, we can place bets to double our earning by playing "Big Small". Later is the bidding part for bowling vouchers, movie vouchers, TV sets and fussball table. cool eh!
Reunion dinner then the next day all the visiting. Mahjong session at my grandma's place. See only, i don't know how to play even though i learn before. Too chim. Saturday went to visit dear's parents. Treated with good food and liquor. haha! thanks dear! Caught Kung Fu Dunk because dear wanted to get out of her house. Hmmm... the movie i think overall is to make Jay Chou look cool only la. but Kuddos to Eris Tsang's acting. Old Ginger is still hottter (translate to chinese).
I went out for a 5 days exercise. walk a very long distance. south to the north of western singapore. cutting through vegetation, skirting pass NIE, into the cemetry (which was a little freaky to walk at night) into a pandan leaf farm i think coz there were pandan leafs all over. and hit the objective la. Sprained my ankle which left me staying in the ambulance for 2 days. missed out the fun part of the exercise. i can only watch from afar. Nvm... the next one is coming up in a week's time at Tekong. hopefully can recover by then.
Dinner and lau yu sheng at my place last night. as usual again every year. got birthday celebration also for a birthday boy. then accompany dear back to hall.
Auf Wiedershen!
Monday, February 04, 2008
Whizz Kids
Gone were the days were homework just came in worksheets and workbooks. Handing it into teacher or risk getting punished. Homework return back with ticks and crosses. Stamps of stars or smiley face and the ever horrifying words "See Me!".
Kids are getting online to do their homework. 2 of my younger cousins just 4 weeks into their life of a primary 1 student logged onto a portal checking out any new task. Now look, homework are called tasks. Check that out! They did their test online, reading aloud passages beside their parents and selecting the correct answers by clicking on the corresponding radio buttons. Submitting homework or task is done by clicking on "Submit" and no longer called Hand-in where we will pass from table to table up to the front or personally hand it up to our teachers.
I really wonder what's next for the future generations to come. With the introduction of Wi-Max and roll out of more PDA phones with Wi-Fi capabilities, are we going to see young kids doing homework at the playgrounds? 3G technology will perhaps push homework to a more interactive level, primary school kids are going to stream videos and answer questions. I won't be surprise if kids are going to have video conference with their teachers while at the playground.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Kids are getting online to do their homework. 2 of my younger cousins just 4 weeks into their life of a primary 1 student logged onto a portal checking out any new task. Now look, homework are called tasks. Check that out! They did their test online, reading aloud passages beside their parents and selecting the correct answers by clicking on the corresponding radio buttons. Submitting homework or task is done by clicking on "Submit" and no longer called Hand-in where we will pass from table to table up to the front or personally hand it up to our teachers.
I really wonder what's next for the future generations to come. With the introduction of Wi-Max and roll out of more PDA phones with Wi-Fi capabilities, are we going to see young kids doing homework at the playgrounds? 3G technology will perhaps push homework to a more interactive level, primary school kids are going to stream videos and answer questions. I won't be surprise if kids are going to have video conference with their teachers while at the playground.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Cakes, Camo and 30 guys
Chinese new year is coming. but i am not in the mood for it. searching for an answer, tuning myself into the mood. well, days go by and i will just live with it like any other. So i was out with my parents early on Sunday afternoon. Shopping. I don't know what i want so i just grab and go. its nice to have tea break with them. I really missed those days when we were out shopping as a family. Now all grown up, we have a life of our own. Especially when i am caught up with NS and busy loving my dearest. I don't know if they walk around the mall to look at other things when we finish shopping or just to kill time waiting with me for Suky. But they left soon after going to my grandma's place for dinner. without me of course. I waited.
Met up with Suky not before she went to collect my jeans (thanks alot darling!), had dinner at crystal jade la mian xiao long bao. i refuse to order spicy food because i scared that my stomach can't take it and coughing. i just want something plain. hurried for time we forgot the ice cream. Cab back to Suky's hall before leaving for camp.
Training is ramp up with SOC, fast march and stairs climbing. in addition i went running and gym a few times on my own to train up myself. Suffered from many blisters which erupt into open wounds that bled. ouch..! ATEC 2 is coming very soon. so outfield and outfield and outfield. before i know it.. i am flying off..!
Platoon is 1 men less, this guy named jeremy posted out. So we had a dinner gathering at Botak Jones at Clementi on tuesday night. Cake smashing party on Wednesday night. Bought a cake, made him say a speech. Commented something to PC about me. haha! that made everyone cheer! then cake smashing begins. I DIDN'T GET TO EAT THE CAKE!!!!!!!! lucky, you get away with a small patch of chocolate cream or camo, unlucky ones will get palm print using cake and black or green camo all over your body. anyway, wish him all the best. ORD soon... 8 more months to go.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Met up with Suky not before she went to collect my jeans (thanks alot darling!), had dinner at crystal jade la mian xiao long bao. i refuse to order spicy food because i scared that my stomach can't take it and coughing. i just want something plain. hurried for time we forgot the ice cream. Cab back to Suky's hall before leaving for camp.
Training is ramp up with SOC, fast march and stairs climbing. in addition i went running and gym a few times on my own to train up myself. Suffered from many blisters which erupt into open wounds that bled. ouch..! ATEC 2 is coming very soon. so outfield and outfield and outfield. before i know it.. i am flying off..!
Platoon is 1 men less, this guy named jeremy posted out. So we had a dinner gathering at Botak Jones at Clementi on tuesday night. Cake smashing party on Wednesday night. Bought a cake, made him say a speech. Commented something to PC about me. haha! that made everyone cheer! then cake smashing begins. I DIDN'T GET TO EAT THE CAKE!!!!!!!! lucky, you get away with a small patch of chocolate cream or camo, unlucky ones will get palm print using cake and black or green camo all over your body. anyway, wish him all the best. ORD soon... 8 more months to go.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
fruitful week!
this week have never been better. well, basically monday was actually an off day from the last duty on jurong island. did lots of running today.
so i booked in on tuesday morning with a premium cost added to it. guys from my section booked in the night before without me knowing. so i barge into bunk with all guys still sleeping. haha! Well, being nice i decided to unpack all my stuffs in the dark and continue my sleep too since i woke up at 5am not with a little help from dad n mum. Claim back my stuffs from jurong island later on that day before booking out. first and hopefully not the last 8-5 feeling. haha.
Wednesday i totally slack around. too lazy to get out of the house until dinner time. deliver dinner to hall. Dear's hall. MOS Burger. okay, i understand you are tired. should have let you sleep more. but food is getting cold since it was packed from jurong point and not nice to have it cold. saved in the nick of time by her roomie otherwise i am facing the death of the hair picker. ooppsss! after that went home. she passed me a NTU t-shirt she got from her hall's fun fest. "Wake me up when i reach NTU" Thanks dear for the t-shirt.
Thursday had a follow-up appointment with the dentist 5 mins of crapping from him and cost $33 bucks. Wow! good thing is, i will be seeing him in a year's time instead of 6 months. I think i gone a little crazy at that point of time to fix appointment for dental therapy. jus want to get some cleaning n polishing done. but its by POLY students... hmm... appointment is quite sometime away, so.. let's see..! (perhaps going to private clinic will be a better idea). okay, Ikea was next to pick up some plastic bag dispenser for my dad and got a cushion for myself. bringing back to camp to see if its useful otherwise i will jus leave it at home. Pouring heavily at that time but nothing beats a nice hotdog sandwich from ikea. wee..!
Friday, went for a run. again. then afternoon with those sleepy eyes went for medical checkup at raffles hospital. no appointment needed. jus walk-in. perhaps my mind was asleep, i feel so lost when i get bump from station to station to get the test done. haha! i have a picture of my RIBS in my cupboard! haha! met Suky at boon lay after that. with a little waiting sent her home. don't worry darling, i don't blame you for the alarm not ringing. =)
Today, accompanied Suky to Swee lee, send in her trombone for repair. screw dropped out of the rotor valve. hopefully it can be fixed otherwise got to think of other ways out. Went to this fantastic place for lunch at Simei Eastpoint. Eighteen Chefs. Great food, Great chef. Big size guy who trained from or with Jamie Oliver, know as the naked chef. Well.. this small cafe is open to help deliquent ppl. so its more than jus serving good food, its helping the community. call me if u need directions to this place if u are interested to taste it out!
Resuming normal training very soon. prep for taiwan. haiz..... (*heads bow down)
Auf Wiedersehen!
so i booked in on tuesday morning with a premium cost added to it. guys from my section booked in the night before without me knowing. so i barge into bunk with all guys still sleeping. haha! Well, being nice i decided to unpack all my stuffs in the dark and continue my sleep too since i woke up at 5am not with a little help from dad n mum. Claim back my stuffs from jurong island later on that day before booking out. first and hopefully not the last 8-5 feeling. haha.
Wednesday i totally slack around. too lazy to get out of the house until dinner time. deliver dinner to hall. Dear's hall. MOS Burger. okay, i understand you are tired. should have let you sleep more. but food is getting cold since it was packed from jurong point and not nice to have it cold. saved in the nick of time by her roomie otherwise i am facing the death of the hair picker. ooppsss! after that went home. she passed me a NTU t-shirt she got from her hall's fun fest. "Wake me up when i reach NTU" Thanks dear for the t-shirt.
Thursday had a follow-up appointment with the dentist 5 mins of crapping from him and cost $33 bucks. Wow! good thing is, i will be seeing him in a year's time instead of 6 months. I think i gone a little crazy at that point of time to fix appointment for dental therapy. jus want to get some cleaning n polishing done. but its by POLY students... hmm... appointment is quite sometime away, so.. let's see..! (perhaps going to private clinic will be a better idea). okay, Ikea was next to pick up some plastic bag dispenser for my dad and got a cushion for myself. bringing back to camp to see if its useful otherwise i will jus leave it at home. Pouring heavily at that time but nothing beats a nice hotdog sandwich from ikea. wee..!
Friday, went for a run. again. then afternoon with those sleepy eyes went for medical checkup at raffles hospital. no appointment needed. jus walk-in. perhaps my mind was asleep, i feel so lost when i get bump from station to station to get the test done. haha! i have a picture of my RIBS in my cupboard! haha! met Suky at boon lay after that. with a little waiting sent her home. don't worry darling, i don't blame you for the alarm not ringing. =)
Today, accompanied Suky to Swee lee, send in her trombone for repair. screw dropped out of the rotor valve. hopefully it can be fixed otherwise got to think of other ways out. Went to this fantastic place for lunch at Simei Eastpoint. Eighteen Chefs. Great food, Great chef. Big size guy who trained from or with Jamie Oliver, know as the naked chef. Well.. this small cafe is open to help deliquent ppl. so its more than jus serving good food, its helping the community. call me if u need directions to this place if u are interested to taste it out!
Resuming normal training very soon. prep for taiwan. haiz..... (*heads bow down)
Auf Wiedersehen!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Will to learn
Copied this during my engineer course about a year ago. haha! Well.. its still not too late to share with all! =) Source currently unknown but i do acknowledge whoever wrote this!
1. Take time to reflect on a problem before you begin work
2. Get all the facts of the problem clearly in mind
3. Work on the problem in a planful way
4. Keep an open mind. Don’t jump to conclusions about the answers to a problem
5. Think of many ideas for solving a problem
6. Try to think of unusual ideas
7. As a way of getting ideas. Pick out all the important objects or person and think carefully about each one
8. Think of several general possibilities for a solution and then figure out many particular ideas for each possibilities
9. As you search for ideas, let your mind freely explore things around you. Almost anything can suggest ideas for solution
10. Always check each idea with the facts to decide how likely the idea is
11. If you get stuck on a problem, keep thinking, don’t be discourage or give up
12.When you run out of ideas, try to look the problem in a new and different way
13. Go back and review all the facts of the problem to make sure you have not missed something important
14. Start with an unlikely idea, just suppose that is possible then figure out how it could be done
15. Be on the lookout for odd or puzzling facts in a problem. Explaining them can lead you to a new idea for solution
16. When there are several different puzzling things in a problem, try to explain them with a single idea that will connect all together
Auf Wiedersehen!
1. Take time to reflect on a problem before you begin work
2. Get all the facts of the problem clearly in mind
3. Work on the problem in a planful way
4. Keep an open mind. Don’t jump to conclusions about the answers to a problem
5. Think of many ideas for solving a problem
6. Try to think of unusual ideas
7. As a way of getting ideas. Pick out all the important objects or person and think carefully about each one
8. Think of several general possibilities for a solution and then figure out many particular ideas for each possibilities
9. As you search for ideas, let your mind freely explore things around you. Almost anything can suggest ideas for solution
10. Always check each idea with the facts to decide how likely the idea is
11. If you get stuck on a problem, keep thinking, don’t be discourage or give up
12.When you run out of ideas, try to look the problem in a new and different way
13. Go back and review all the facts of the problem to make sure you have not missed something important
14. Start with an unlikely idea, just suppose that is possible then figure out how it could be done
15. Be on the lookout for odd or puzzling facts in a problem. Explaining them can lead you to a new idea for solution
16. When there are several different puzzling things in a problem, try to explain them with a single idea that will connect all together
Auf Wiedersehen!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Hello 2008!
Wee... 2008! okay, the past 2 weeks have been deployed to Jurong island. Quite cool actually to stare out into the sea watching vessel's of all size sail past with an occasional LPG or Oil tanker sailing into your vicinity without any marine pilots. Okay, a little extra information here, ships in all ports are guided with the local pilots to make sure they don't run aground or get into some form of danger that threaten the operation of the port.
I did manage to catch our Black Knights practicing their maneuvers for the Singapore Airshow. Yah, so free preview la! haha. while on night shift i wake up to see sun rise every morning without fail. Its so beautiful! Gosh I wish Suky was there to catch it with me. And also to snap it down and show you guys. And yah, the refineries looks damn futuristic and cool at night. Like a industrial city on its own. Night is cold and freezing. 24 hours of breeze like fans that does not have a switch. At times i really want to switch it off.
Wild dogs a plenty at our area. Interesting thing is that they don't bark at NS guys. Civilians they will run after and bark at them. Of course we fed them and they clean up everything. No a single grain of rice left. haha! Now i wish i have on sitting at the entrance of my room. Hmmm.... what will i do with it....? hehe!
Looking ahead...
1. Taiwan (April)
2. SMU (18 Aug)
Excitied with what's going to happen this year. Finally getting my ass out of army. I am totally drained out of energy already. I just want to finish it. NO MORE GREENS! More things to come progressively.
Start to go back to church. Hopefully i don't slack and always skip again. haha! Active participation perhaps?
Auf Wiedersehen!
I did manage to catch our Black Knights practicing their maneuvers for the Singapore Airshow. Yah, so free preview la! haha. while on night shift i wake up to see sun rise every morning without fail. Its so beautiful! Gosh I wish Suky was there to catch it with me. And also to snap it down and show you guys. And yah, the refineries looks damn futuristic and cool at night. Like a industrial city on its own. Night is cold and freezing. 24 hours of breeze like fans that does not have a switch. At times i really want to switch it off.
Wild dogs a plenty at our area. Interesting thing is that they don't bark at NS guys. Civilians they will run after and bark at them. Of course we fed them and they clean up everything. No a single grain of rice left. haha! Now i wish i have on sitting at the entrance of my room. Hmmm.... what will i do with it....? hehe!
Looking ahead...
1. Taiwan (April)
2. SMU (18 Aug)
Excitied with what's going to happen this year. Finally getting my ass out of army. I am totally drained out of energy already. I just want to finish it. NO MORE GREENS! More things to come progressively.
Start to go back to church. Hopefully i don't slack and always skip again. haha! Active participation perhaps?
Auf Wiedersehen!
Monday, December 31, 2007
One last post for '07
Finally! another 365 days has gone by.
this year was quite busy and many things happen. Especially in army, lots of training jam packed together and doing lots of crazy stuff, unimaginable too.. Like climbing Mt. Biang. My bet is no one will ever forget that 3 weeks in Brunei suffering the harsh terrain, enduring the elements. it rained everyday ok! AOH or Army Open House was once in a life time experience, i will look back at this AOH knowing hey! i was part of it if i ever visit the next Open house. Of course not forgetting some skills training like coastal hook on pulau seletar and 32 km route march truelly round pulau tekong. 24km was jus a shorter march around the island.
Personally, i met this wonderful girl whom later on became one important person in my life that i don't wish to ever let go. Her name? Suky of course! My darling. Candle of the Soul campfire was hmm... an unforgettable one, all the days and hours spent to put it together. Hopefully in time to come, more such projects? Officially a part of SMU now. can't wait for school to start. All good things aside. Lost a GREAT uncle to cancer, still gripping with the fact he is no longer around =( i really miss him alot. God, take care of him okay? i need to find a closure.
Moving ahead, i will be in taiwan for training for a month, the last fight before ORD just before sch re-open for me. I know, all the kids are starting sch in 2 Jan. And slowly, i will take up piano teaching. and re-take driving lessons and perhaps work towards a music diploma. well.. i leave it up to next year to slowly plan for everything.
Final note, I heard about the last guard leaving SQS band. That's the end for alumni band and main band. So breaking all contacts with the school. Hmm... I need to play in a band somehow otherwise... good bye to french horn. What really happen, i am not too sure, but going to find out the truth.
Well! I wish everyone a blessed and joyous new year ahead. I leave you with a picture taken during the Sentosa outing on Christmas eve.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Blessed X'Mas
First of all, Wishing Everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year ahead.
Since everyone has flew down under to enjoy themselves with the Kangaroos....
Suky and myself decided to spent X'mas or rather X'mas Eve at Sentosa. A day of digging, scrapping and moulding sand. Head down to Vivo to catch the usual Sentosa Express, long queue for the tickets. But luckily 2 ladies bought extra tickets for their friends who couldn't make it sold us the tickets. haha.
Got down to the beach, changed and picked up a few sandcastle building tools then picked a nice spot to start building. Decided on building a plane, so slowly we moulded the fusalage then the wings, the horizontal stablisers then the tiny vertical stablisers. Suky added a few details such as the engines. I dug a trench around the plane and wrote our names on the sand.
Weather was nice and sunny. With an occasional dark clouds that never saw any rain coming. Cool! tried to get a little tan to no avil. Or maybe there is but can't tell the difference. So..! after sandcastle we went down to the water. but from where we were, seaweeds line up along the shore so, well... abandon plane! move to another spot where the seaweeds don't block the path. go inside, play water. then later play a little vball.
by then... stomachs are growling. hop onto the sentosa express back to vivo. On the way back, saw this gigantic x'mas tree on top of vivo. reached back then go see the tree up close then dinner was at SuperDog. American HotDog. Another nice fastfood. Highly recommeded their Chill Cheese Fries. Not spicy at all even when the name suggest Chill. Dear shopped for her mum's gift then home sweet home!
Thanks Darling for this wonderful day. and the gift was great. I will use it when the opportunities comes. Nothing beats celebrating christmas with you this year. =)
Auf Wiedersehen!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Enchanting Gold Class
ever want to know what's like to fly first class? or perhaps a prelude to the services airlines offer without leaving the ground. okay, was out with Suky to catch Enchanted at GV Gold Class Vivocity after having lunch with my family to celebrate grandma's birthday.
Was actually late in meeting Suky before the lunch. Sorry my dear. well.. thanks to the whole family fighting for 1 bathroom. Anyway, lunch was pretty good, lots of food as usual. Got to try self-made popiah, pretty fun. Always see people wrap for me, now i get to try. So after lunch, zoomed down to Vivocity.
Okay. Gold Class. What was it like? Upon entering the door, you will be treated as a previllage customer of GV. the staff awaits your arrival. Greets you upon first contact and guide you into the cinema. The cinema itself is jus like any regular cinema minus the rows and rows of seats. Seats comes in pairs with a table in between. Pressing the call button, a service staff will attend to you orders for snacks and drinks. Curious enough to try, we ordered 2 glass of Ice lemon tea @ $4.00 each. Wow..! Food are pretty expensive and most of the patrons are the expats well to do enough to splurge on such luxury for their family. $30/seat mutiply by 4 (2 adults n 2 kids). do your maths.
Seats came in pairs but were spaced far away, so we snug into 1 chair, lift the leg rest up and get ourselves cosy to enjoy the movie. Each seat does come with a blanket to keep you warm. Now now, where do you get such service for a regular ticket to the movies. Not forgetting to mention that there is a lounge within Gold Class for you to sit in, snack a little and wait for your movie to start if you arrived early.
Gold Class. A Great Way to watch movie? You get my thumbs up.
After the movie, we had dinner and shopped around vivo. dear gets a top from Zara (hope you like it), while i got a classical music magazine from the bookshop PageOne which includes a free CD in almost every issue i think? Well, that's all we had for 1 day of fun and pampering... I will post on other days event shortly.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Was actually late in meeting Suky before the lunch. Sorry my dear. well.. thanks to the whole family fighting for 1 bathroom. Anyway, lunch was pretty good, lots of food as usual. Got to try self-made popiah, pretty fun. Always see people wrap for me, now i get to try. So after lunch, zoomed down to Vivocity.
Okay. Gold Class. What was it like? Upon entering the door, you will be treated as a previllage customer of GV. the staff awaits your arrival. Greets you upon first contact and guide you into the cinema. The cinema itself is jus like any regular cinema minus the rows and rows of seats. Seats comes in pairs with a table in between. Pressing the call button, a service staff will attend to you orders for snacks and drinks. Curious enough to try, we ordered 2 glass of Ice lemon tea @ $4.00 each. Wow..! Food are pretty expensive and most of the patrons are the expats well to do enough to splurge on such luxury for their family. $30/seat mutiply by 4 (2 adults n 2 kids). do your maths.
Seats came in pairs but were spaced far away, so we snug into 1 chair, lift the leg rest up and get ourselves cosy to enjoy the movie. Each seat does come with a blanket to keep you warm. Now now, where do you get such service for a regular ticket to the movies. Not forgetting to mention that there is a lounge within Gold Class for you to sit in, snack a little and wait for your movie to start if you arrived early.
Gold Class. A Great Way to watch movie? You get my thumbs up.
After the movie, we had dinner and shopped around vivo. dear gets a top from Zara (hope you like it), while i got a classical music magazine from the bookshop PageOne which includes a free CD in almost every issue i think? Well, that's all we had for 1 day of fun and pampering... I will post on other days event shortly.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Monday, December 03, 2007
random photos
once again, i will upload some fav images captured when i was free to wander around with my cam. location should be familiar to all musicians. one day n one night. the second image's effect was created using the long shutter mode without using flash as it will cause overexposure of the image. Use a tripod or place camera at a stable place to avoid handshake.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, November 30, 2007
End of another hurdle
quite a busy week. with lots of outfield and little sleep.
Sunday - took up last minute guard duty. so morning with dear was cut short but still manage to cook a little then i rush home to pack and head back to camp. saw no one at home when i got back for a brief pit stop. shift duty was jammed pack because next day got "mission"
so the next day was very irritated with people in camp. i am trying to get some much needed rest when ppl shout to collect some outfield equipments, then returning to bunk, lie on bed not more than 5 mins ppl call again.. this time i gave up sleeping. pack, change, lunch, camo on and out i go! soaked in rain when i reach the start point. its pouring like crazy so i got wet real fast. then came the sun then the mud, lots of them in fact. okay, this is actually my one and only exercise with the TNI.
next 3 days is preparing the targets for live firing. at one point got really angry when i got accused by ppl for something that i have not done. haiz, i can't stand the tone of it especially when it comes from someone that sits around and does nothing all day long. oh well... climbing up knolls and from a high vantage point i overlook the western area of singapore. pretty cool to spot a few familiar places e.g. NTU. windy up there too! in exchange for being sunburn. i didn't get to sleep much these few days, moving out was really early, breakfast was late and stuffs..
no doubt 1 of the few busy weeks in army, it jus makes me want to be home more to be with everyone like dear, parents and all uncles and aunts. losing 1 is painful, missing all makes it all worse.
next week on leave. have not much plans yet, a few movies to watch. long time never been to the movies with dear already. time to catch up with what's on the silver screen.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Sunday - took up last minute guard duty. so morning with dear was cut short but still manage to cook a little then i rush home to pack and head back to camp. saw no one at home when i got back for a brief pit stop. shift duty was jammed pack because next day got "mission"
so the next day was very irritated with people in camp. i am trying to get some much needed rest when ppl shout to collect some outfield equipments, then returning to bunk, lie on bed not more than 5 mins ppl call again.. this time i gave up sleeping. pack, change, lunch, camo on and out i go! soaked in rain when i reach the start point. its pouring like crazy so i got wet real fast. then came the sun then the mud, lots of them in fact. okay, this is actually my one and only exercise with the TNI.
next 3 days is preparing the targets for live firing. at one point got really angry when i got accused by ppl for something that i have not done. haiz, i can't stand the tone of it especially when it comes from someone that sits around and does nothing all day long. oh well... climbing up knolls and from a high vantage point i overlook the western area of singapore. pretty cool to spot a few familiar places e.g. NTU. windy up there too! in exchange for being sunburn. i didn't get to sleep much these few days, moving out was really early, breakfast was late and stuffs..
no doubt 1 of the few busy weeks in army, it jus makes me want to be home more to be with everyone like dear, parents and all uncles and aunts. losing 1 is painful, missing all makes it all worse.
next week on leave. have not much plans yet, a few movies to watch. long time never been to the movies with dear already. time to catch up with what's on the silver screen.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
can't wait to be in SMU
i am going to uni! weeee...! NSmen Jamboree was interesting. a few dance performances, i don't know if they did it on purpose or what, the dances was seductive. maybe to seduce all guy in the auditorium? haha. a little self introduction from the President, Dy President and Deans from the various schools.
then later on had a breakout session with Dean of SIS in a classroom setting. Saw a few guys previously from NP ICT. i think the session was about an hour long la, with the seniors Yr2-4 sharing their life in SIS. what interest me is the overseas exchange programs and business study missions, get to visit google, mircosoft, apple and a few other big IT coporations. hmm.. i really want to go whenever there is a chance to.
really getting into the culture of SMU where for every questions there are no fix answers and challenge any ideas you want. it a flexible approach to learning unlike the other schools where A is A. anyway, i can't wait for school to start now! another 9 more months i think.
Auf Wiedersehen!
then later on had a breakout session with Dean of SIS in a classroom setting. Saw a few guys previously from NP ICT. i think the session was about an hour long la, with the seniors Yr2-4 sharing their life in SIS. what interest me is the overseas exchange programs and business study missions, get to visit google, mircosoft, apple and a few other big IT coporations. hmm.. i really want to go whenever there is a chance to.
really getting into the culture of SMU where for every questions there are no fix answers and challenge any ideas you want. it a flexible approach to learning unlike the other schools where A is A. anyway, i can't wait for school to start now! another 9 more months i think.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Monday, November 12, 2007
crazy work weeks
sorry for the lack of updates for the past 2 weeks. let's roll back until the last entry.
finished ATEC stage 1 already. scored pretty well, the highest score the umpire would give, but sad to know it doesn't please the higher ranks. okay, in the first place, my section was suppose to take part in 1 evaluation but quote from my PC "i don't know if you are lucky or unlucky" we went oufield for 2 days in a row while other did 1 outfield. doing 1 extra evaluation that we weren't really prepared for. we just did our best because its a last minute thing from higher command.
Bro's birthday was the weekend after ATEC. good to see everyone because long time never see them already. everything seems returning back to normal but there is still that sense of something missing. i know what is it, but i shalln't mention. kind of hate a no-brainer from my father's sister-in-law for mention something right in front of me with a SMILE. you see, i used sis-in-law instead of acknowledging her as my aunt. really a no-brainer. overall, it great to everyone, truely missed them so much.
over the same weekend, platoon outing to Seoul garden to celebrate PC's ORD! great fun to eat, talk and crap a lot. they headed to Zouk after that, i didn't join them even though i heard many fun stories. well.. i am not the clubbing type of person. so yeah, count me out. crashed out at home after that crazy ATEC. remembered how black face i was before and after i went outfield, i am not angry at stuffs, i am just tired. haha..!
last week was a short work week, but deepavali ended up doing guard duty. this is what happen when no one volunteered and so i was kindly asked to do it. but never mind, to save one's self from spinning in circles asking around to volunteer, i took up the job. 24 hours shift, but have a rubiks cube to keep me entertain when i was bored. haha!
10km run before the guard duty at ECP. finished the run but didn't meet the timing required. i don't care, i ran and i finished the race. try again next time bah......
okay, booking in camp tonight. that's all for now.
Auf Wiedersehen!
finished ATEC stage 1 already. scored pretty well, the highest score the umpire would give, but sad to know it doesn't please the higher ranks. okay, in the first place, my section was suppose to take part in 1 evaluation but quote from my PC "i don't know if you are lucky or unlucky" we went oufield for 2 days in a row while other did 1 outfield. doing 1 extra evaluation that we weren't really prepared for. we just did our best because its a last minute thing from higher command.
Bro's birthday was the weekend after ATEC. good to see everyone because long time never see them already. everything seems returning back to normal but there is still that sense of something missing. i know what is it, but i shalln't mention. kind of hate a no-brainer from my father's sister-in-law for mention something right in front of me with a SMILE. you see, i used sis-in-law instead of acknowledging her as my aunt. really a no-brainer. overall, it great to everyone, truely missed them so much.
over the same weekend, platoon outing to Seoul garden to celebrate PC's ORD! great fun to eat, talk and crap a lot. they headed to Zouk after that, i didn't join them even though i heard many fun stories. well.. i am not the clubbing type of person. so yeah, count me out. crashed out at home after that crazy ATEC. remembered how black face i was before and after i went outfield, i am not angry at stuffs, i am just tired. haha..!
last week was a short work week, but deepavali ended up doing guard duty. this is what happen when no one volunteered and so i was kindly asked to do it. but never mind, to save one's self from spinning in circles asking around to volunteer, i took up the job. 24 hours shift, but have a rubiks cube to keep me entertain when i was bored. haha!
10km run before the guard duty at ECP. finished the run but didn't meet the timing required. i don't care, i ran and i finished the race. try again next time bah......
okay, booking in camp tonight. that's all for now.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Ratatouille in Reality
It was just another normal Sunday where all men from my company booked into camp, except timing was no longer the usual 2200. We have been given an extra hour to hang around outside in the civilian world. Even though we were tired because it is already way pass bed time, we were still upbeat and joke around and poke fun at one another. Well, perhaps it just a way to conceal the fact that we are stuck in camp for the next 5 days.
Lights off! time to hit the deck and doze off to a very cold night as the sky began to pitter patter and rain through the night. All were like spring rolls, wrap in our "thick" blankets. Night time do really fly pass really fast and soon phones and alarm clock began to rang. Wakie Wakie! Droopy eyes, slowly one by one drag themselves off the bed, grab toothbrushes and toothpaste and walk towards the toilet. The walk seems so long but soon, we reached!
Back in Bunk, we prepared to fall in. In our t-shirt, shorts and shoes. But wait, something gone missing. A good buddy began to shine his torch in the mist of darkness so as not to wake the others up who are trying to catch that extra minutes of sleep in search of that something. One by one, we started to do the same and all looking for a common item. Socks! Our socks mysteriously gone missing. Time and tide waits for no man, quickly we grab another pair of socks, cutting short our early morning discussion.
The whole day left us puzzled... Who stole our socks? Was it a prank? I concluded that it could have been a rat though, and its looking for something comfortable and able to keep him warm. It was a cold night after all. The day went passed, night falls, lights off, hit the deck!
The next morning, as I dragged myself out of bed, i saw a little creature running acrossing the room, it was a mouse i concluded. The same situation happen again! Oh no! if its a prank, it was a nasty one. This time round, we were rushing for outfield and we were preparing our gear to move out. Until a fellow platoon mate came in to investigate, well, he was curious. Silently, he squeeze in to a tight corner of our bunk, were we stored extra beds and mattress. And hit Jackpot! we found the pile of socks. Our missing socks! we swept the pile out to clearly identify it, and within that pile we found 3 baby mices. Poor mices, wonder where is their mummy? Sorry that we have to destroy the nest, it was a nest nicely stack with socks and roof made of a running vest.
To be continued....
Auf Wiedersehen!
Lights off! time to hit the deck and doze off to a very cold night as the sky began to pitter patter and rain through the night. All were like spring rolls, wrap in our "thick" blankets. Night time do really fly pass really fast and soon phones and alarm clock began to rang. Wakie Wakie! Droopy eyes, slowly one by one drag themselves off the bed, grab toothbrushes and toothpaste and walk towards the toilet. The walk seems so long but soon, we reached!
Back in Bunk, we prepared to fall in. In our t-shirt, shorts and shoes. But wait, something gone missing. A good buddy began to shine his torch in the mist of darkness so as not to wake the others up who are trying to catch that extra minutes of sleep in search of that something. One by one, we started to do the same and all looking for a common item. Socks! Our socks mysteriously gone missing. Time and tide waits for no man, quickly we grab another pair of socks, cutting short our early morning discussion.
The whole day left us puzzled... Who stole our socks? Was it a prank? I concluded that it could have been a rat though, and its looking for something comfortable and able to keep him warm. It was a cold night after all. The day went passed, night falls, lights off, hit the deck!
The next morning, as I dragged myself out of bed, i saw a little creature running acrossing the room, it was a mouse i concluded. The same situation happen again! Oh no! if its a prank, it was a nasty one. This time round, we were rushing for outfield and we were preparing our gear to move out. Until a fellow platoon mate came in to investigate, well, he was curious. Silently, he squeeze in to a tight corner of our bunk, were we stored extra beds and mattress. And hit Jackpot! we found the pile of socks. Our missing socks! we swept the pile out to clearly identify it, and within that pile we found 3 baby mices. Poor mices, wonder where is their mummy? Sorry that we have to destroy the nest, it was a nest nicely stack with socks and roof made of a running vest.
To be continued....
Auf Wiedersehen!
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