Last Day of the Year

Goodbye 2005. It's seen the worst of worst and the best of best. Namely...bombing in London...Katrina and the sisters and brothers it brought along with to play in the land of United States and neighbours...Pakistan with its quake...and the fear inflicted by terrorism around the world. Best would be...it's all over :D (too cheesy?) Well, there's always a lot of things happening around the world in 2005 but it is effectively dominated by the disasters. Well, one good thing if you prefer...we'll have a second extra to enjoy 2005!

Anyway, with the sending off for Year 2005, we also welcome 2006 and...they year of the DOG!! YAY!! HIP HIP HOOORRAY! All you poochies out there...it's the year to celebrate and the year to embrace as the lucks and fortunes will turn into OUR WAY!! WOOF WOOF!! hahahaha....

To all those in the N. America...keep warm. it's gonna get bloody hell freezing...so keep yourself warm while enjoying the parties there. May the new year bring more lucks and fortunes your way. If not...I'll share some of mine *Wink Wink...

To the ones in Asia...well, I guess it's going to be a busy year 2006...with lots of promise and growth. Hopefully also lucks and fortunes will come in and swoop into your lives.

To the ones in the rest of the world...FIGHT POVERTY! FIGHT TERRORISM! FIGHT SICKNESS! hahaha...it's a bold statement alright...but if we can all pitch in, I'm sure it'll be a better world after all!!

So folks....Say adios...goodbye...sayonara to 2005 and welcome 2006 with renewed girth and excitement as it will be a fresh start...a new beginning to right the wrong and a better year to look forwar to!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas...Some part white...some part wet, and the rest bright...But all celebrates the holidays where it's time to share, to give and to love. May all your wishes come true and that Santa will reward you justly with how you behave for the year. ^o*

3-day Shopping Marathon!

Man...my legs....my back...and all the sweat! I can't take it anymore! 3 crazy days filled with one thing and ONLY ONE THING!! SHOPPING!! But I had fun hanging out with my good buddy, Andya, who came for a 3-day visit to Singapore. His route... :D Jakarta-Batam-Singapore.

I welcomed him on the 21st December in Harbourfrount. His ferry came in around 4 in the evening. Guess what too? It's his birthday that day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Another 1 more person in the month of December. Anyway, after we got back and put his luggage, we went to Orchard Rd to meet up with another of our friend from back in Secondary School. Man first time in Orchard since I got back! It's crowded as hell! Can't move well and it's just plain jam-packed with people.

So after we met with the other friend, JianWei...we moved on to dinner and started our first shopping-crazed trip. First day we conquered...Wisma Atria, Takashimaya, Heeren, Cineleisure, Meridien, CentrePoint, and a couple kopitiams... hehehee.....Andya got himself a couple of stuff...shirts, face lotion, and i think a pair of pants.

2nd day - Andya went out early to meet up with his old guardian. In the afternoon he shopped by himself in Seiyu in Bugis Junction. At about 3 in the afternoon, we met up with one of the teacher in secondary school. Mrs. Martina Chan. Felt good to meet her again, but she looks so much different compared to the last time we met her. After a short conversation, we hit the Citylink Mall....the new connection from City Hall MRT that connects to Suntec City...and we went to Suntec City as well, Marina Square, Raffles City, and at night, we had dinner in Clarke Quay. Although it was raining, it was a pretty sight of the Singapore River. We also witnessed the Hooters serving people (well guys actually) and also a G-Max catapult ride that shoots people up to the air. After dinner, we went to Junction 8 Shopping Mall to cap the day.


Clarke Quay before nite falls...


The view from Clarke Quay at nite

3rd and final day - Andya really wanted to get the shoes from Pedro in Citylink Mall, so we went there for the first trip of the day. He got it, and even wore it immediately. Then we went to City Hall MRT to wait for another of our good buddy, who just came back from Chicago that morning, Mr. Yakin. After we met up and caught up with a couple of stories...we head out to Harbourfront to eat lunch in the cafetaria....Went shopping in the Harbourfront mall, and still had time to go Tiong Bahru Plaza! ahhaha...got there at 1:30 PM and got done at 2:00 PM. That's how fast we conquered TBP! :D Anyway, time to go back coz Andya's ferry leaves at 2:40 PM. We got back around 2:20 PM and said our goodbyes....and then one last picture...


Andya, me and Yakin @ Harbourfront

Although only half of the babi group got together, I'm sure one day we can meet up as a whole group...the only few are still in US. The rest are well, in Indonesia....

So, after Andya left, I went to accompany Yakin home...he was very tired since he just got back from Chicago that very morning. It was also good since I get to see the back part of Orchard, and even got to see my old school again. As I walked back home...I reminisce the old times. But, I think the rest for me and my legs are at the utmost importance now! So that's it....a long update! hahahhaa......till me meet again frenzz....

Shifting to 1st gear

Wow...it's almost two weeks since I've been in Singapore and not that I'm not liking it, it's just I've been lazying around too much! ahhaha...not that I can help it. There's no one at home other than my dad and I don't feel comfortable going out knowing that he's alone at home. At least I still get to eat some good food and some good cooking from him...hahaha....

Anyway, other than getting myself addicted to tv and on an overdosage of it, I've only been eating and sleeping! Not exactly the remedy for a healthy lifestyle...but anyway, now that I'm starting on getting things going, I've been actively looking for jobs and reviewing them. Not applying yet...but surveying and doing a lot of research. I think it's a good sign...at least get started before Sur! HA!

Yeah, with Christmas coming and holiday spirit kicking in...I think everywhere in Singapore's shopping district will be crowded with a lot of people. It's surprising hearing in the news that they have sales up to midnight prior to the actual holidays...but there's people getting hurt and getting angry with one another (what else is new in Kiasu Singaporeans?) I think the American influence is kicking in even to the Asian region! hehehe....I also heard these mega malls opening up in most parts of Asia and especially China. And I'm talking about Square One size malls! There's one opening up in Dubai that has a 5-run indoor ski resort! hahaha...imagine...shopping..and even a ski resort in the middle of it.

Well, so much for globalization. Nothing is not exposed to the consumerism era and capitalism where buyers and demands are driving the sellers to produce and sell at a large yet distinct style. So...I guess I better ready myself soon. Coz being in the corporate world will mean that I will become the "manipulative factor" that drive consumers to well....consume!! ahahaha....

Bye civilization and integrity...welcome white lies and profitability! I hope there's people to still remember me when I was still innocent! hehehehe....that's all for updates folks!!

Drowning in Cellphone craze...and Singlish

After a week in Singapore, observing the people, watching the surrounding...It's changed!! People are so mired in their cellphone...hundreds of models...thousands of tones...and unbearably loud ringing tones even in the public! Man...I even heard in the news that the cellphone era has heightened people's level of stress. Now not only people are able to communicate instantly, but they're also bringing work and their out-of-home life...well....HOME! ~_~

They also mentioned that females has it worse since now they're balancing work, family and social life altogether if they own a cellphone. Now that is disastrous! Not only the working world in Asia is competitive, now they even have to compete 24/7 as work, family, and their personal life take over their routine. This is scary and I hope I have the strength to get over this crazy lifestyle that I soon be starting. "Heng" I don't have a cellphone yet! ahhaaha...

Second of all....SINGLISH!! It's not a surprise that Singapore has it's own distinctive accent to their spoken language, but Singlish is in another whole new level. Being in North America for about 6 years, and experiencing the Singlish environment for roughly 7 prior to that, I am ashamed and embarassed for the lack of push to educate and discipline correct and better spoken English. I mean, as the world is becoming ever closer and inter-twined in the business and tourism world, it is only justified that Singapore learn how to change and improve their service and tourism industry. Furthermore, there is a surge in Singaporeans speaking Mandarin. Their level of conversation is definitely much more complex and refined than when it used to, but they should not neglect the national language of English. It is admirable that they are well-versed in Mandarin, but it's time to improve their English! I, on the other hand, have to improve my Mandarin to survive and compete in this society. Sigh...no one can have the best of both worlds...but I am struggling to adapt to this "new" Singapore as of now....

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.....LALALALA.....

~~~~~~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY~~~~~~~

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY TO WISNU!!

BRING THE BOOZE!!

BRING THE CAKE!!

BRING THE STRIPPERS!!

BRING THE PRESENTS!!

It's your 21st...legally a man....legally a convict...and legally a sinner!
hahaha...too bad no one is there with you. But I'm sure you'll get a long phone call from Shierly...a nice kiss from aso?? *Sorry Shier...jgn digebuk yah...and....a nice cold winter from mother nature....hahaha....Ah...forgot...I guess you'd get calls from your family and this stupid guy who is writing just giving u a blog? HAHAHA...GUESS WHAT?? IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TOO! YAY!! We should find one year where we celebrate together and get all the above plus the opportunity to cake everyone else instead!

Anyway, wishing you a very happy birtday... 1 year older... 1 year wiser... and definitely 1 year more attractive! haha... Alright...enjoy the day...I am thinking of what to do here... :-(

Here's a piece of thought...

"...the person is comparing a person to air that is being breathed in & out... saying that they may think or seem to be unnoticed at times, but the truth is that they are like the oxygen, and therefore, while being pretty quiet & stuff, they are totally essential to the world around them." - Margaret Atwood

Reflection

Part II of my story:

Leaving Windsor was not easy even though the stay wasn't as rewarding. Friends are important, and to me the ones I made in Windsor made a special impact in my life. From the close ones, to the MBA class, to the Indonesian students, and to the others I met once in a while.


MBA Classmates


The Randolph Gang + SC n Winnie


Can't really see them, so I took another shot with the two

Even up to the point that I was leaving Toronto, there was a farewell crew...


Ian Lam, MBA and Murtaza Abbas, MBA

and finally....

the one guy who'd have a strange connection with me....hahaha presenting Wisnu aka INoe aka Kutub. Watever he's called, he's one heck of a dude...sad to leave u there bud.

As I left Toronto and arriving in HK...


I knew that I left behind great friends and people who cared about me. I wished it didn't it turn out this way, but again, it's a path and I believe the path will take everyone of us to a brighter greater future. :D

Adios friends, and please do keep in touch. I'll hate myself for losing you guys.

Singapura...Oooo...Singapura

Greetings from the Lion City,

I arrived safely in Singapore on the 7th of December at 1:20 PM. Yes, I was supposed to arrive at 12:50 PM but only thanks to the numerous delays throughout the whole journey. First, it was delayed by almost an hour to boarding caused by the "inability" to prepare the flight from Toronto to Anchorage. I don't know what needs to be done to speed up the cleaning up process for the plane. Altough they did go speeding on the way to Anchorage, a 6-hour flight compared to the original 7hr40min flight, it didn't make my trip any easier.

First of...the old man sitting next to me took my window seat...tolerate...don't mind...there's no point arguing for it since it's an aisle seat for me. HOWEVER!!! He actually hogged the space! He conquered the whole armrest for the whole flight...spread his legs wide and snored the whole 6 hours flight! I had to sit a little bit outwards and had problems changing the channels for the movie, and I ended up getting bumped by the air stewardess and not even a single word of sorry out of them!! Add to the insanity, the 7-8 year-old kid sitting in front of me was so annoying...he would keep bumping back into the seat, and sometimes was playing the seat like a drum...Not like I was gonna get any sleep, and to complete my whole torture was the old man sitting behind me. Apparently, his method of sleeping in the plane was to lean his head onto my seat and ocassionally shook the seat. GOD!! Help! Any way I could take what I lost in that 6 hours??

So, we arrived in Anchorage at about 2AM there. I found out that we can't even leave the plane. DANG! I thought I could scrape some sanity by getting out of the plane! But NO!! So, they cleaned the plane, change the crews (not that it gets any prettier or any more courteous), and even a new pilot to the plane. WORST PIECE OF NEWS: SAME SEATING ARRANGEMENTS! Which only means I have to endure a 12-hour journey with those same people around me! ARGGHHHH!!!!!

So, getting sleep now was my priority. I wanted to change the time for my body adjusting to Singapore's time...I manage to squeeze a 1-hour and a few 10-minuters, but it was surprisingly enough for me. I didn't feel that 20 hours was almost gone in an instant. The only thing I know was that it was approaching Hong Kong Kai-Tak International Airport and I can't wait to unboard the plane! YAY!

Before transferring to another plane, we had to go through security check. I was laughing inside for a guy from Taiwan who brought 3 zippos with him on handcary!! HOW THE HECK HE GOT THAT THROUGH TO THE PLANE IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?!?! He was begging the officer to let him take at least two coz I think it was expensive...but I can't help laughing inside coz it was just incredible how he managed to hide that to bring it as far as to HK. :D

My last ride from HK to SIN was smooth-sailing. I got the first seat on the economy class and on the 3-seater on the side by the window, there was only 1 smart-looking westerner with full suit on playing with his Treo. So I made my way into my window seat and before we took off, the smart-looking man moved to the aisle seat. AMPLE ROOM! HAHAHA....I've been possessed by the devil!

Finally, I arrived on the beautiful Changi Airport. Again, I can't believe I'm already in Singapore with least recollection of how long or how torturous the flight was. I couldn't believe I just completed the almost 24-hour flight effortlessly. I strolled down from the customs to the luggage claim belt and I didn't see anyone. After scanning for a while, I saw my brother peeking through the glass and I know that they're already waiting. So then when I went out, I saw my dad and both my brothers. My mom was at home and I was gonna see her in a bit. When I did got back, I saw my mom and that's when I know...Everyone, I'm back at home. :D

Last Blog from Randolph #305

Friends, it's time....The hourglass is pouring with little sand left....the mood's sour and the tears are welling up. This will be my last post from Windsor, Canada. It will never be the same again...

My friends that I leave behind, the things we do ocassionally...SunHong trips, gossips, bbt trips, basketball games, movie nights, nights just talking, and the great Windsor life... :D

All are not a waste. I will miss a lot of you and I hate being the bad news bearer.

~ To all my MBA friends...I have great admiration for all of you. Each has its own unique personality and I truly learned a lot from you guys. We are close, and we'll always be close no matter where we are.

~ To all my good Indonesian friends...wonderful bliss! I can't imagine better times spent with you guys...especially to the normal gank! Lots of silliness and pure ecstasy from just spending times with you guys.

~ To the basketball gangs...I know I'm good and I know I can beat you guys, but that's only on the court. :D (but all this needs practice before I can realize it) The rest though is all respect and admiration to what you put into your game.

~ To all the friends I met and reach out to...one word can describe you guys...thankful...that's because you guys put a colour to my stay in Windsor. I know Windsor is not THE greatest place to live, but with you guys, it's a dream place to be.

Finally, to myself...I never expected anything much, but I know this much is true...without any of you friends, I will never have been me. The me you see and the me you know will always be the me that you guys will have now, in the future and forever. Keep in touch and achieve your dreams. For I will also strive hard to keep pace with all of you.

Peace, God Bless, and adieu! I love you guys!

Empty Room Abundant Memoir

Again, I seem to be slacking a lot in the Pooch House! Keep the poochie awake! hahaha....

Friends, folks, paws....I come to realize my last weekend in Windsor is fast coming to an end. Looking back at the years, I couldn't have done it any better. The friends, the memories, and the experience is just unforgettable! All those things just come by and flew so fast that it's sad that I have to close another chapter of my life away from home. It's a great ride: lots of bumps and bruises but we always came out stronger than before. This is just something I am so proud of. I came and touch people's life and in return I got rewarded the same albeit in different methods.

My fond memories...oh how I wish this could just stay like what it is, but time goes on and people have to move on. If our paths cross again, then fate will bring us back together. So friends, never lose hope and keep in touch! We may have the hourglass limiting our expedition, but the motor and the engine never stops running, so do our determination and our dream. As such, I believe we are just destined for greater things in life in the near future.