we're flying tomorrow! the excitement hasn't really set in yet.. but i bet it will soon enough! just so tired now. finished packing my bag. i think i'm a much smarter packer now. 2 weeks and my bag is darn light (compared to previous trips).
so.. goodbye everyone and see you guys when we're back!! thanks to everyone who encouraged me to pass my pull-ups and made me not lose hope! i'm just so glad i'm allowed to go for this one. take care you guys!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
hello, vietnam!
i can finally say it! i am going to vietnam! i am i am iam iam!! i am, yes i am! i've been left hanging, waiting with (very) bated breath, giving my encik very hopeful glances, and tried my best at puppy dog eyes. and of course, training very hard for my pull-ups.
and finally, my officer said YES! this very morning at 0836 hrs. i can't tell you how happy i am! i love places like that - lifestyle, scenery, people, and just generally the feeling of just nothing pulling you down. no worries about work the next day, not passing my ippt (though i will, yes i will, continue to train even at vietnam!), or whatever my parents find to pick with me. i am going there with an open heart and open mind.
the details of the trip was actually planned more than a month ago. all those late night are finally going to pay off! and lonely planet, i love you. but i'm hoping unplanned things will come our way this time. well, i like surprises here and there.
we're flying on thur (28 feb) at 0700. the plane arrives at ho chi minh city in about 2 hours. after which we'll spend a day there, and leave for hoi an, (also referred to many as the "venice" of asia, due to it's houses by the river that runs through the city) at night (by train). then all the way to capital city hanoi. the weather there is supposedly around 18-21 degrees celcius. surprised? definitely. did you know sapa (we're also going there!) has a winter temperature of 0 degrees celcius?
also visiting is cao bang, which is, according to lonely planet, "one of the most beautiful places in vietnam". i just can't wait!! i look forward to the mountain pass in sapa and the waterfalls of cao bang.
i hope to share many of the photos i'm gonna take there. hopefully with more practice, the shots i get this time will surpass those of cambodia. wish me luck!!
and finally, my officer said YES! this very morning at 0836 hrs. i can't tell you how happy i am! i love places like that - lifestyle, scenery, people, and just generally the feeling of just nothing pulling you down. no worries about work the next day, not passing my ippt (though i will, yes i will, continue to train even at vietnam!), or whatever my parents find to pick with me. i am going there with an open heart and open mind.
the details of the trip was actually planned more than a month ago. all those late night are finally going to pay off! and lonely planet, i love you. but i'm hoping unplanned things will come our way this time. well, i like surprises here and there.
we're flying on thur (28 feb) at 0700. the plane arrives at ho chi minh city in about 2 hours. after which we'll spend a day there, and leave for hoi an, (also referred to many as the "venice" of asia, due to it's houses by the river that runs through the city) at night (by train). then all the way to capital city hanoi. the weather there is supposedly around 18-21 degrees celcius. surprised? definitely. did you know sapa (we're also going there!) has a winter temperature of 0 degrees celcius?
also visiting is cao bang, which is, according to lonely planet, "one of the most beautiful places in vietnam". i just can't wait!! i look forward to the mountain pass in sapa and the waterfalls of cao bang.
i hope to share many of the photos i'm gonna take there. hopefully with more practice, the shots i get this time will surpass those of cambodia. wish me luck!!
Friday, February 22, 2008
marley and me
wow.. i just read that jennifer aniston and owen wilson will be starring in the movie adaptation of Marley & Me! for me, that's like topping a smoothie-creamy-chocolate-y(licious) ice cream with lots hot fudge and marshmallow!read more about it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822832/
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
dai dee at 2 am!
at dan's place playing dai dee with qq, dan and yihao. won about 2 bucks.. but losing fast!! too tired to blog anyways!
had a great time with kit, andrew and xy just now. =)
had a great time with kit, andrew and xy just now. =)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
once upon a time
once upon a time in the heartlands of bukit batok west ave 7, there lived a boy. a fat boy, who just couldn't stop eating. and now, he can't pass his IPPT.
the end
the end
Saturday, February 16, 2008
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways ,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
amy winehouse is hot hot hot!
i used to think that she is fugly. the problem with her is, she overdoes things. with all that hair, (oh my god, the hair) fake lashes and mascara.. she makes up like there's no tomorrow. she drinks too much, though she says no no no to rehab.
and if i ever meet her, i would love to have a conversation that goes,
me: hey what's up amy?
amy winehouse: my hair.
boy that would make my day alright. i'm sorry but i think i have an unhealthy obsession with her hair. it's in my 7 wonders of the world list. it would probably make it to the top three. it is a mystery. how much, exactly, is real. and what does she keep in it. does she keep a spare mike in it, if ever, god forbid, hers became faulty during one of her concerts? or does she store a carton of vodkas in it? what amy? what?!
but as the title of my post suggests, i have now changed my opinion. amy is hot. she has this don't-give-a-fuck attitude that makes her appealing. i've never fancied over-obliging artistes. they make me sick. which is why taiwan stars give me major indigestion. but amy, oh amy. she drinks at her concert, in this plastic cup that looks like it holds a soft drink, but watch lose her footing, and squint against the bright lights as the show goes on. and i have grown to love how her huge hair is always in place, and how she shakes her booty as she sings. cute, though maybe a tad deranged.
amy winehouse is talented and writes her own songs. she's the entertainment scene's bad girl but she sings.. i don't know what genre. some says it's jazz, some say soul. i also don't know. but i know it's good. i love her album and i hope she gets better soon.
and please, don't lose the hair amy.
i told you i was trouble, by amy winehouse. she sounds just as good live
and if i ever meet her, i would love to have a conversation that goes,
me: hey what's up amy?
amy winehouse: my hair.
boy that would make my day alright. i'm sorry but i think i have an unhealthy obsession with her hair. it's in my 7 wonders of the world list. it would probably make it to the top three. it is a mystery. how much, exactly, is real. and what does she keep in it. does she keep a spare mike in it, if ever, god forbid, hers became faulty during one of her concerts? or does she store a carton of vodkas in it? what amy? what?!
but as the title of my post suggests, i have now changed my opinion. amy is hot. she has this don't-give-a-fuck attitude that makes her appealing. i've never fancied over-obliging artistes. they make me sick. which is why taiwan stars give me major indigestion. but amy, oh amy. she drinks at her concert, in this plastic cup that looks like it holds a soft drink, but watch lose her footing, and squint against the bright lights as the show goes on. and i have grown to love how her huge hair is always in place, and how she shakes her booty as she sings. cute, though maybe a tad deranged.
amy winehouse is talented and writes her own songs. she's the entertainment scene's bad girl but she sings.. i don't know what genre. some says it's jazz, some say soul. i also don't know. but i know it's good. i love her album and i hope she gets better soon.
and please, don't lose the hair amy.
i told you i was trouble, by amy winehouse. she sounds just as good live
Saturday, February 9, 2008
hard@work
no, not hard at work, lol. you know what i mean. anyway this is the first time i'm blogging from work! and it's quite difficult cos people keep peeping at your screen and you feel so.. lame. haha. don't ask me why i also don't know.
just came back from a fire call. my first in a very dry season of fire calls. while others went to huge and very smoke-logged factory fires, i however missed all. I think this is my first call in like 8 consecutive duties? sadly (but very possibly!), i may ORD from SCDF as a firefighter only by name. where is my big break?
my 'big break' for today came in the form of a 2m by 2m grass patch that caught fire due to excessive heat. the weather is scorching hot, but i am not. but that, is for another time. it was easily extinguished, and over before we knew it. and true to our fast response spirit, we took less than 2 mins to arrive!
i haven't been coming to chua chu kang fire post much, but i found out something very hilarious today!! i realised that when we dim the lights of the fire post from the inside, people from the outside can't see us! so what they see is their reflection, and boy, it's like watching gotcha! there was this girl, say 13? she walked past us 3 times, secretly checking her reflection! lol. talk about vanity!
and while we're at vanity..
well, work can never pass fast enough, and f.r.i.e.n.d.s is keeping me company. i love rachel!
just came back from a fire call. my first in a very dry season of fire calls. while others went to huge and very smoke-logged factory fires, i however missed all. I think this is my first call in like 8 consecutive duties? sadly (but very possibly!), i may ORD from SCDF as a firefighter only by name. where is my big break?
my 'big break' for today came in the form of a 2m by 2m grass patch that caught fire due to excessive heat. the weather is scorching hot, but i am not. but that, is for another time. it was easily extinguished, and over before we knew it. and true to our fast response spirit, we took less than 2 mins to arrive!
i haven't been coming to chua chu kang fire post much, but i found out something very hilarious today!! i realised that when we dim the lights of the fire post from the inside, people from the outside can't see us! so what they see is their reflection, and boy, it's like watching gotcha! there was this girl, say 13? she walked past us 3 times, secretly checking her reflection! lol. talk about vanity!
and while we're at vanity..
well, work can never pass fast enough, and f.r.i.e.n.d.s is keeping me company. i love rachel!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Travel Photos
[the mekong floating market] vendors hang their goods on a bamboo pole in the front of their boat to let buyers know what they have to offer
[pho] pronounced as 'fur', this rice noodle is a staple food throughout the city
[the process] a vietnamese woman making piping hot pho, they come originally in a circular form. made from rice, they smell heavenly when freshly produced
[on the mekong] during one of the stopovers on our mekong tour
[uncle ho] or so one of the locals lovingly referred to him. this is ho chi minh, and the city is named after him
[on the mekong] though muddy and brown, the river still holds a certain charm
[home stay] this picture was taken in the morning of our home stay on the mekong. a charming little village wth lots of greenery and mosquitoes!
[the boat rowers] a clan of men and women, some in their mid 40s, some elderly like the picture. they row tourists through a swampy area to the open sea, where the tour boats await
[on the floating market] a women pulls our boat towards her and offers of coffee and other drinks.. for a small price of course
[pho] pronounced as 'fur', this rice noodle is a staple food throughout the city
[the process] a vietnamese woman making piping hot pho, they come originally in a circular form. made from rice, they smell heavenly when freshly produced
[on the mekong] during one of the stopovers on our mekong tour
[uncle ho] or so one of the locals lovingly referred to him. this is ho chi minh, and the city is named after him
[on the mekong] though muddy and brown, the river still holds a certain charm
[home stay] this picture was taken in the morning of our home stay on the mekong. a charming little village wth lots of greenery and mosquitoes!
[the boat rowers] a clan of men and women, some in their mid 40s, some elderly like the picture. they row tourists through a swampy area to the open sea, where the tour boats await
[on the floating market] a women pulls our boat towards her and offers of coffee and other drinks.. for a small price of course
Blast from the past
if i had a say at all, Joyce's 21st birthday party would've had much better pictures. but alas, it was left in the (very big) hands of daniel chua. the outcome? the pictures speak a thousand words.. or too much. enjoy but please don't laugh too hard!
me and roy go back to secondary school days... in our past life! lol. we were nerdy, but not that!
joyce is covered in cake, but shonia can't seem to get out of her nerdy form.
Get the bigger and more photos @ Yihao's blog.
me and roy go back to secondary school days... in our past life! lol. we were nerdy, but not that!
joyce is covered in cake, but shonia can't seem to get out of her nerdy form.
Get the bigger and more photos @ Yihao's blog.
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