The SUN issue..

Just yesterday, i got the chance to ride/guide in a rented car. 
No prizes for the correct guess, but it's the Fiat Punto again. For the 4th time.

But, i'm not complaining, 'cos it's still a brillant car in my opinion... and this one is the Skydome variant.
...or in Fiat-speak, the sun roof version. 

Which is great! It brightens up the car cabin, making it more airy and fresher. In a nice clear day, pop it open and enjoy the fresh air....you do not need to pay high price for a cabriolet to enjoy this benefit. And with the wind defuser, it wouldnt gushes in to mess up your hair.
Just drive below 80kph and it's not noisy.

This two pieces of glasses plus all the mechanism does add more weight, and that's why the car seems to feel slightly heavier when accelerating as comparsed to the previous 'normal' punto i had driven. This time steering does feels less sharp...or is it just me?

Beyond that, this is still a true italian car. From Fiat to Alfa Romeo to Ferrari, they produce fantastic sounds. The Punto's 1.4 8v engine growls superbly great and eager..and even better when rev up hard. It simply feels so alive.

The soul brightens me, but i'm sweating:  This rental car was, gotten at the wrong time. First night it was raining non-stop (with singapore at record low 22C degree, til i thought the car thermometer was spoilt) so the roof wasnt opened much. Next day it was hot and shining blindly bright, which the glass created greenhouse effect (even with the sun screen fully drawn). And some one before us broke the aircon fins! Which means aircon could not reach the driver seat at all! What a hot sauna!

So conclusion...with the good equipment level, looks, engine vocal and low end power, and low 2nd hand price, this car seems like a good buy. And this skydome sun roof does serve as a great sweetener, adding that level of sophistication and breeze. Just please, tint the glass more, coz singapore is a sunny island.


the car with opened top......the entire length of sun roof....and that sun.


On the other hand....

Here's the scenery that greeted as i step out of kelvin's residence today. 
Snapped it down with my phone immediately.

Seems to tell....no matter what, the sun is always behind the clouds.
Move on, step on, and the rays will guide you to the ulimate brightness.

Symbolic isnt it?

admin admin

Just realised that, so it is possible to view photos on Facebook, even if you are not a member...

Since i really havent been using that yahoo photo thingy and had moved on to facebook photos, here are links to the Public pages of my photo albums there....for the benefit of the guys and gals who are not facebook members....and insisting on not signing up ;^)


15th SC gathering 28dec07

OG11 Chalet 19dec07

OG11 Chalet (album 2)

OG11 CNY visits 2008 (p1)

OG11 CNY visits 2008 (leg2)

Steamboat @ wen ling hse -- p1

Steamboat @ wen ling hse -- p2


....that's means too that in future, with any new photos, you will see a link here.
Certainly, requests for Zip file of original photos are still accepted. All original photos are fit for 4R size developing.

from...the east to the west, to east, west, east, west, east....

This is it. Probably the first ever OG11 Chinese New Year Tuang Bai ("inter-visiting", if u insist on the translation) was held on last friday, 15th of Feb 2008, from 8am til 10pm. Covering over 150KM and 6 houses over various parts of the country, it was a fun filled day.

....Alright, I got carried away. Exaggerating language aside, it was indeed a fun day packed with travelling and looking at each other houses (and bedroom). And not forgetting too making it damn damn early by 8am to Liwen's @ hilly Bukit Batok so that most of the people can gather to register for Revision Classes online...And how with 5 laptops and "wall chart" it felt like Soccer/Horse Bet taking...And how hard we laugh and how high we got while playing card (21points)...And how much more we knew about each other after view each other child photos, meet family members and/or living environments...

Certainly a memoriable day.


Thanks thanks again, for everyone there, to "make it happen". ^-^



Any regrets? Two in fact.
One...Me forgetting totally to show the guys the recorded food show about SIM foodcourt (plus Joe's face inside)....not entertaining well 'enuff..

Two...No group photo of everyone taken. So, nothing to show here ;p
(Thankfully, bit and pieces of everyone is still available in abundants. Check out my photo album on FAcebook to view the wonderful journey ^-^ )


The Dual Purpose Car

No review this time round 'cos.....



Yup, it is the exact same car i rented previously on my 3year anniversary last July. Gotten it again this time 'cos it affordable, and more importantly, the memories attached to the car fits nicely for Valentime Day (my date is the night before the Tuang Bai)

For the car, the feeling of getting the same keys back again is like meeting an old flame. After she left she probably had gotten stronger than the last time, but she had gone thru abuses too...the engine is smoother now, but there's bad bents on the body, slightly misaligned bumper, and missing parts. Guess this is the inevitable life of rental car.

Anyway, driving this Manual variant again makes me fond of the car even more. Still appreciate the stable ride thanks to the chassis, the excellent equipments and trip computer, and the torque-ful yet frugal engine. Indeed something which i might buy with my own money...

So for 24hours, i guess i had utilitised it to the brink. I covered 279km...which is really really far. With my new found intelligence i pumped octane 92 petrol this time, and it only drank 20litres of those...thus it had made my date and gathering possible, allowed me to enjoy every minute of the journey in comfort, and yet not burning a big hole in my pocket. Sweet.

Dust, Dirt and Debris ...all on chinese new year

Which are all, not a bad thing, you will soon find.

First, I should wish everyone reading this here a Happy Chinese New Year! (slightly belated)
May all goes well & smooth for everyone, especially to all the OXs, 'cos this will be a year of good luck, as the predict. Let's cheer ;)


Dust:

On the new year eve, I had decided that the world's dustiest car is not one that been thru Sahara, but those that are sitting on my glass cabinet.. So a big clean up was done.



- Clear'd 'em up and wipe it all through..
- Follow along the arrow and you see the contrast. This is how much dust they accumlated.
- Car of the year 1995...all happen'd to be in a "magazine-mega-photo-shot" pose


As i clean 'em this thought came into my mind. Cleaning 'em on the eve also symbolise clearing up all on my old bad stuff for the past year. Looking forward to a "clean spot-free" great year of rat ahead...bah!


Debris..?

Earlier was with family @ Riverside Hong Bao, on Padang/Merlion park. Happened to be near the time of the fireworks, so we settled down next to the Merlion herself to wait for the show. Just nice, got my camera with me. And thankfully for the Stabliser, still can survive without tripod.

So you can see from the images here, it started pretty well, with the first few shots (left) capturing decent fireworks. But soon it look like Laser/sparks/rockets (centre) ...and eventually my shots just look like one big explosion (last) ...Think i still need tripod. Stabliser 'got' fooled.



There's more. Fireworks was being shot from the Esplande Dr bridge, which's really near to fullerton. So as i shot, the by-product of firework + smoke all flew and landed on all of us...prompting several (included my dad) to attempt to leave the scene of landing before it ends.

Seems like this is what you call multi-sensational...'Sight', 'Hear', 'Touch' & 'Smell'...perhaps even 'Taste', for those kids/aunties looking high up and "wow" with mouth wide open.

Lesson learnt: Bring a tripod and stand far away.


Maybe...on the other hand, see-ing these sensation as some blessing might make one feel better. Just like how many gathered around the giant replica of "God of wealth" waiting to be rain'd with the golden pieces he spews out at intervals.



Dirt..!

Okay...not exactly dirt here, just the amusement i got today as we found Cat Paw prints all over our van. Apparently some meows had climbed from the side, rolled on the roof, and made a descent via the windscreen last night. Last but not least, this dish is decorated with a touch of a bird faeces on the right. How sweet, for a vehicle which was cleaned one day before.



Very interesting, for a blessing by Cat on the first night of year of Rat. Is the Cat jealous? ^-^


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the path out of comfort zone..

Last week, i was at a friend's birthday chalet at Aloha Loyang. A friend of her called and was asking for directions to her unit. This person, who was lost, wasnt too far away; she was just minutes away at the Reception office. Not being familiar she did not know the way, and my friend too had a hard time describing the way. In the end her boy ran there to bring her in.

Small incident, but it did made me think about it. Actually, if that girl tried to explore around and walk further from the reception, she would have found that the bungolows ran down in order, and thus definately found that unit without guidance. But she didnt.

Just like our daily life. We are given so many opportunities every day to make decisions, and several are never tried before options. Because they are unknown choices, just like that girl who was not familiar, we didnt venture into it. And who knows? It might not be as hard as we thought and we would have yield some benefits out of it. Or saved money or time. ...Just like going to new places/countries to tour or just take up a job offer.

The fact is because people normally do not go beyond their comfort zone. The reception area was the comfort zone to that girl, by exploring beyond there into the darkness (it was night) she would have hit regions of unknown and might get lost. Likewise, what we always do or what other had always done is the comfort zone -- it had been tried and tested. That new job offer might be hard; that financial investment have risk; that driving trip to malaysia might be dangerous.

But so what if that girl ventured and was still lost? She could have re-tracked and went back to that reception area to seek help again. Or simply called for help at where ever she had reached. At least she had taken the opportunity to try. However, similiarities end here and life is not so simple anymore. The job is bounded by contract, you do shit and be stuck for long period; The risk of that investment burnt a big and painful hole on your savings; the trip ended up on accident, injuries, or even robbed and mugged. That's why you cant say just try it.

So are we all going to play safe forever? No of course...we would try to see the risk level and measure the amount i can lose. And certainly that is based on the level of commitment/responsibility we have now. No wonder when my dad was young he tried everything; as a old married man he fears anything.

Or perhaps that why they say "ignorant is bliss"... the less you are aware of the risk the more you dare to try.. and who knows, some are lucky, and do yield something.

Unlucky ones? Learnt it from the hard way.


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Is JX's msn dead?

Seen this sight always? Well... my MSN is not dead. Just that i really had not been online for a real long time. Guess i had been missing out alot on interacting with friends and stuff.

Sometimes i do really hope to be there, but whenever i'm online it's either awhile or at more uncommon timing... Or simply really not enough time...The last time i spent the entire night just surfing net and MSN-ing was NS days..

So via the net is this blog became the way to communicate? It's rather passive, in my opinion... Interaction is really welcome'd, do leave a msg on your thoughts on my posts/views if it's debate-able or simply if you like it (i do hope you like it!)

Hence... here's what been in my mind since my last post. Some are sensible, others are sense-less.


1) Handphone = no more headache liao.

My dear O2 PDA phone made me realise this... Buying a phone is like buying a car... Buy something popular like a Honda, its easy to sell it. Buy something infamous or rare, like some budget asian car, it's either it loses her value overnight, or dealer simply dont even want it.

Yup my phone belong to the latter. After almost 4months of usage, i gave up. It drank batteries for breakfast and dinner til the charger is my best companion; it sleeps and never wake up and left phone call coming in without records; and in the last days it rejects all my calls for me and tells me it's a "miss call"...til friends thought i hate them.

With people selling on Online auctions $300SGD, i was optimistic at first... Until i went to handphone/PDA shops, where they offered $150 highest without looking... others say "no". One even said "please dont sell to me?" ....seems like it's a nightmare to sell this second hand phone, which still fetch almost $600 brand new now at Sim Lim...

Singtel's trade-in price of $200 looked very attractive instead, and there it goes... And out came a Nokia N81 at a very "affordable" price after trade-in. Phew...

I'm back to Nokia then. Why do i need to make myself suffer with crappy sound, poor battery life, useless camera quality, bimbotic and unstable software? I might have lost the excellent Windows Mobile ability to add and customise software, but that was for me to customise the Empty OS to have functions, which were already there in a Symbian OS when in factory.

So lesson learnt: Dont jump into purchases next time simply because it is cheap @ IT fair.



And may my new Nokia last me for 3years.
.......no more line to sign contract in the family liao.


2) i'm in car magazine mailbox!

Only an inspiration at that moment, i wrote an e-mail into carma (singapore local car magazine) regarding some issues....and i got my mail published as the "mail of month". The joy of having the recogition is simply marvelous...

Hoping my ability can match my passion, and i can achieve more in future...

My mind ask... So is it realistic or just another "building-castle-in-the air" day dream? Only the future knows.


3) i want a non-basic basic calculator

...before the future reaches, let's handle the current problem now instead. As those local students in the UOL courses know, last year some one in london had banned everyone the use of scientific calculators...No, not those F-maths Graphic calculator, but our beloved scientific calculators that had seen us through O and A-levels ( Poly too for some people) Only basic calculators now.

No big deal you may ask, the basic "provision-shop uncle's" calculator should be ok. It might seem so, but no anymore when you lost the brackets and fraction key. Try one on any o-level maths paper and you get the idea.

Was doing management mathematics recently and me and my friend are going crazy. The sums are so long (data analysis of a 8x8 grid) with '+' & 'X' are everywhere. No brackets means doing them all individually and if one is wrong, there's no reverse key... you got to repeat the damn thing again. Fractions? Convert it yourself. And having happily using the calculator to find tan30 & cos60 for 6 years, it mean re-memorizing the tan cos sin table again. Arghh!

Hence, a new task is born. Weekend shopping now includes task of finding a basic calculator that have Brackets and Fraction keys....if it exist.

If it exist, i'll be getting the world down to buy it. Or even buy in bulk and sell it during Bazaar for a profit. Imagine how many lives will be spared. How many tears and sweat will be saved.

Or even get all the thousand over candidates to write a petition in to Sharp/Casio...for a customised Basic calculator with Brackets and Fractions. And it must have rubberised silent keys so not to annoy others at exam. Must have OFF key and Solar power too so it wont die on us during our once-in-a-lifetime (almost) exam. It must have all that allow us to calculate Basically efficiently and effortlessly...and still be called as a basic calculator.


If all else fails, then may I master the basic Aurora i have on hand now and....stop complaining.

The old but now defunct Sharp EL-546...miss it.

4) i want to drive to cameron

In new Nokia phones, there's Nokia Maps, which is actually Navigator for those phones with GPS. Even without GPS, it's still useful, coz it serve as a street directory with Petrol Kiosk ATMs etc locations stored and can even simulate a navigation of a route.

Having downloaded Malaysia and Singapore maps (FOC ^-^) into it, I was playing with it one lazy morning and realised....i'm fascinated with M'sia routes.
Perhaps it was influenced by thoughts of the possibilities of driving trips up north in future...that's something which i always been wanting to do, but unable right now.

First one should be to Genting. More than 350km, 4hours of driving. And that 22km route up mountain.
The last time i been up there was more than a decade ago. Hopeful the next time i'm there will be in car?

That should be a practise, cos the next one that always linger in my mind is Cameron Highlands.
More than 500km, 7+hours of driving, with 1+ hour just on going up the mountain
(around 50+ km according to nokia maps)

This type of journey is what good cars are engineered for....
....and for drivers to enjoy the journey and the destination... My sist was there (via coach) and is still in love with the perfect weather, sights and trekking.

Last one should be Penang i supposed? 600km away...and is really far. Browsed with button on the phone and found many interesting places within the island, including a Hotel which has the name "singapore hotel"... Worth a try.....when i'm really really seasoned.

But the major problem is, even Genting is not some where "i-say-today-i-go-tomorrow"... You will really either need huge Budget or huge Balls to go in a rental car. So that is reserved til I hold the keys to my very own set of wheels.

And i need a co-driver certainly too. Getting caught in a local jam for 2 hours kills me already, let alone a continuous 7hours one. Who will be that person? Anyone?


Nevertheless, all these shall only remains as part of my fanastication now. And imagination via Nokia maps.

When that day comes you will know....or perhaps, you? or you? or you?? ...might be driving with me?


.

The big 15th SC gathering.

Years since SRJC ended : 4 years
Time since the last SC gathering: > 1.5 years
Period of time kent took to organise: 3 weeks
Time taken for me to get down to Heerens : 1 hour (horrible jams)
Cost of dinner on that table : $12

Having almost everyone which you havent seen for a long time on the same table :
Priceless & un-measurable.

This is the 15th Student council gathering, after a long break. Last night, 28dec 07, at Orchard Heerens Vila'ge.




Was really glad to be there, just sadly I was tired before it and had to rush back earlier than my normal timing.


Still, many Kudos once again to Kent for making it happen! To have more than half of total 25 SCs to attend is really good. 

Hope the next one comes soon!

Great little chalet + SF Drive of life

I always like chalet with good friends. Not only there's unlimited time for the night and no need to rush back, you can just spend all the time talking, playing, and achieving stuff that you cant do normally. Cue in the recent SIM og11 Chalet and you tick all box above.

Held on wed 19th dec at Costa Sands, it was not a big place. But as the first ever chalet with the guys, it was great fun. 1 hour plus after check in and we were on the road: first for dinner at Old airport road, next the surprise birthday for guan hui (kelvin's famous line to Guan: "we bring the chalet to you", to send liwen back and lastly CCK for supper for that famous Kou Loh Yok Rice.

There was 2,3 cars all the time, that's why such trips was possible. And such was what i always been looking forward (and hoping) for... a parade of cars to bring the entire group all around to many places which is normally inaccessible and activities normally not possible.

And Guan hui & raymond birthday cake too; guess it was really a surprise for both of them. Imagine stepping out of your house at 11pm to see 12 friends in 3 cars (aka wedding day) at your doorstep. Plus when earlier you gave unit number cos someone told you you got a job..that's a white lie.

And the process on the road when wenling have to follow my car (cos she unfamiliar with east) . The excitment of trying to make sure she can follow me, and same time think of the route, and them following and thinking why i went by the wrong way. (which happens again en route to Bukit batok, that i really screwed the route ;p)

And finally finding the Roy's much anticipated pork rice at CCK. A really very malaysia old style restaurant by the road side ( somewhere which i didnt even know it existed) we tasted the rice + lime juice ....to find that it was, well, not too bad.

And later back in chalet, all the PS2 games they played, the exciting poker card games that made them high (i was bathing, damn) and lastly them waking up to watch sun rise that didnt appear that morning (i was too tiredly asleep ;p )

All the little things sum up to a great and memorable event, to him (gh raymond roy), me and others i believe.

Really, my stable life never had been so happening, all in a night. That's why i like chalets.

When's next?



The wedding aka birthday surprise team.



------------------------------------------------------------

Next day there's more for me. Having passed her licence, the car keys was handed over to Shufang and I became the driving instructor with great responsibility: To train up this new green horn.

But hey, i'm really proud. Months of encouragement and anticipation and now your own guided girlfriend is driving you...this feeling is indescribable.

Yes it's an Auto, but it wasnt easy to manage the traffic too, especially having to learn to move from the L-plate 40kmh to the normal driving 70kmh on roads. I got an Auto so there's no clutching to distract in this learning stage.

Overall, she's good. Warmed up fast, minus some steer guide at tricky parts she can do it...as long as it's not night. Well, cos she did not had any lessons during night previously. And parking wise...i better not mention it first ;p

But no worries, cos this is certainly not the last! More cars are coming up whenever time and finance are ok, and me this instructor will have more to be busy with ;)





This is my salary: Joy.



----------------------------------------------------------

The hardworked car. Honda Fit 1.3A



Why i had gotten this Fit this time is for 2 reasons: Emotional attachment, and fuel.

Emotion because this is a car which was closely associated with shufang, so as her virgin drive, there's not other better alternative. And since i cant get a diesel during this season of historial high petrol price, this perceived most fuel efficient car, fits (no punning intended) the bill.

So how was Honda fit like?
1) Got to mention first this wasnt in the best condition. Suspected been abused thus engine bearing was loose, the engine rattle like a Washing Machine whenever it moved off....So performance and our ears suffered.

2) But that aside, the handling is good. Having driven the Honda City (sedan version) which was happily sailing and lifting on motor way, this hatchback is so much more stable on motorway. Steering is light and precise, plus the excellent visibility, this is a very relaxing car to drive.
But steering been short of feel and slightly light on motorway took away the perfect feel for handling.

3) Performance wise, the 980kg weight does it merit. It has a rapid pick up from rest and power was there through out accelerating. But having a CVT gearbox, it doesnt like sudden accelerator input, else it just doesnt "bite".

4) ....which means for the auto-box, drive it smoothly and you will be rewarded with quick and very smooth gear change. (much smoother than the Fiat Punto!) Hooliegen driving is not for here.
Which ease of driving around town with this auto box did really sway me towards favouring auto car...damn.

5) And as a city car it really does it job well. Space is perfect inside. Leg room and head room are surprising in abundants, and the flexible seats made it the one of the most unique cars around. Flat fold rear seats as standard, you can even lift the rear bench upwards to throw in tall vertical items. You can also single handed-ly push the front seats forward from rear...very smart and convenient.
Storage space are perfect...I must mention it is really rare to find a hatchback (and even some bigger car) that can fit in my 0.8l bottle in the dashboard...There's accomdation for parking coupons display on dashboard, and even a slot on the door to fit in an entire a4 plastic box file. Tested and tried.

6) But sadly, the fuel consumption did not live up to expectation...The commonly accepted figure is around 18km/l, i expect 15km/l, but in the end it was....almost 12, only.
I could thought of the few explanation:
a) The car is on thicker aftermarket tyres + rims.
b) The car is aged and abused. See how the engine rattles?
c) The car is carrying 4 passengers at many times.
d) The driver is useless (that's me). Only found how to drive it smoother and slower on the day of return to rental shop.


Despite all, it's still a desirable car. Very easy to live with, Honda reliability and resale value, good looks, and (i still believe) the low fuel cost. The Fit/Jazz is having a high turnover rate on the re-sale market, being snatched up faster as compared to other makes; a Manual one is even more rare. (i visited Sgcarmart.com.sg)

So it's gonna live on my dream list as a even stronger competitor to the fiat punto now...rather, it had always been there.

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Be clear with Clarity...yummy.

It's been raining...and raining non stop recently, we got gloomy skies and gloomy guys (& gals). But here's a cafe in town, which the name does fit in... to "clear" and cheer people up with good food... and it is? Ms CLARity cafe.

Found through magazine reviews that gave good ratings, we decided to try it out. Located in 3 locations (all shophouses) of SG, this cafe does take some effort to find initially; but once found it's easy to go.

So how do they differentiate? As stated, they hope to bring Restaurant standard of dine in affordable prices. So certainly, the items are nothing but bland. Just like the item i got, the Chicken Cordon Bleu.



Cripsy chicken breast meat, stuffed with melted cheese and ham, and clothed with a sause. Being chicken breast, it will not get very XXXX NI as you eat, and yet it's not that hard as expected. And what I really like is the Kou Gan...as you bite the melted cheese lands right onto the centre of your tougue...complemented with the chewy chicken on the side. Splendid.
By the way it served with healthier roasted potato and veggies...although you can request to swap it with fries if you want.



The other dish my partner tried is this, the Red wine risotto with scallops. Cooked with abundance (almost) of Sallops, the rice is cooked in red wine...Which smells came rushing to you the moment the dish is served. And scallop is very fresh too. Certainly a dish that can fill you up, if that red wine didnt overwhelm you first.
 

Ambience? Simple yet cheerful and colourful. Evening time it will be filled by candle lights, with gives a nice warm glow, as you seen in the pix. Seats are not that abundant, so do go slightly earlier to avoid disappointment.

Price? Earlier you read the word "affordable", and it's really is. My item is $8.80 and all prices are NETT, that is no GST nor Service charge. Other ala carte meal course on the menu starts from $6+,7 , and you can add on $3 to make it a set with drinks dessert and starter. (there's even option of Ben and Jerry ice cream with additional fee) And if you do commonly find yourself asking for more plain water in cafes always, good news here cos they serve you one big jar of iced water right from the start...


In a nutshell, worth going. Try it.


No. 5 Purvis Street, #01-04 (Next to National  Library)

Possibly the most unbelievable thing on earth

Alright, the title is misleading of course. Most likely you might just say "Chey" at the end of this, but it's still unbelievable to me...but then, it's true...


Shufang had passed her driving. On the infamous Ubi circuit (as congested as India), with Manual car, Private Instructor, FIRST attempt. Oh yes, it's test route 7 (for those who knew it, the longest and toughest possibly)

And add on to anyone's insult, it's 12 points.  Passing is 18, lower the better. I got 14, the others i knew is around this figure, or even 18 too.

Her instructor? Latest figures shows out of 31 students he took.....6 passed. Down from previous year's 7.

Further more she comes from a car-less family and no contact of motoring before...As matter of fact, just before she starts learning she still ignorant about the gear ratios....

Still, she done it.

After the entire morning of pacing up and down, the months and guiding and advicing and motivating,  the joy of getting such results is really indescribable for both of us.... better than lottery.

But i still do hope lottery will come, coz as the start of a new phrase.....rental cars will be coming in. Now there's really more things to look forward to in life, for this considerably near future.


Yeah.


Now, who says we should seal one's fate before the test took place?

.

So, finally i been to KPE..

....And found that the speeding limit is really strict.




1) This is recorded by SF, for your extra knowledge ^0^
2) As u can see here, everyone is moving at 70kmh exactly. So...
3) it captured the slowest lane changing by a taxi in Singapore, &
4) The most orderly queue of cars moving behind and next to me in Singapore.
5) And yet there's still tail gating despite all the slow motion...

Despite so, this new thing is really cool. Cant wait for the entire tunnel to open in years time...By then i can travel from my ulu tip to rochor seamlessly...shld be in my own car by then? hopeful?

.

Yes, it is sickening.

Does all this happens to you too?

1) You knew something is wrong, and wanted to tell/warn your friends about it. But they wouldnt believe you, or they would be stronger in their arguement. So you chose to keep quiet simply b'cos you cannot argue. You cant support the facts, cant express strongly.
You can only wait til everything happen as what you had predicted, but even you can say "see i told you so" by then, nothing helps.

2) You knew someone was doing something not right. You wanted to just confront him and split everything out on the table. You should have done that cos all evidences are with you and it's a definate victory. But you cannot express/argue well. The person is good in twisting facts towards his advantage. In the end you kept quiet and lost it. And become an escaping coward.


Yes, I confronted someone before. Damn myself i cannot talk. I lost it terribly. And now for all that other events that followed i choose to stay quiet against them. On the fear of bombastic return fires that i cant simply handle. On the fear of lost.

It's not a good feeling ok. I cant be someone who ran away forever. But running is always the easiest yet hard way to do it.

I did mentioned this before:
"Knowledge is nothing without knowing how to express it"

...i'll expand on it now further: "Knowledge" is evidence, and "express" is to argue. So what if i knew everything? If i cant argue with my points i'm no worse than a fool.

If i can always support my thinking and points, i no longer need to live with my head down. No longer need to live in fear of losing. And escapes.

I better learn how to argue. It helps not only in all the damn essays, but everyday life.

Sickening.


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A reason why go CDC to learn driving

Yes we know the road there are terrible, but isnt this special?? No ordinary mouse or that irritating touch screen...

.....the "toyota vios" is in control under your palm....literally.
As much as many L-plate driver hopes.


....still, a nice one. Although it's just some corperate thingy?

Daily trips: Does it trickle madness?

Was at facebook, saw this flyer ad for Tagxe, a SG community helping people to find others living nearby to share cab to cut cost. Followed link to the site (www.tagxe.com), whose humorous comparsion chart inspired this...

Do take a look there after here. Oh yes, the team is non for profit.


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So, after spending considerable amount of time on travelling for the past 1.5 years to school, here some interesting or rather annoying observations...


Facts and Figures (Really-real time figures. Includes bus/train transfer timing)

Punggol to/fro SIM

Bus:
average : 1h 15m
fastest : 1h 5m
slowest : 1h 55m

Train:
average = fastest = slowest : 1h 25m

Car:
average: 45m
fastest: 40m
slowest: 1h20m


1) Despite some debates, the preferred mode of transport for me is still bus, over train. In my case the train takes longer during off peak and during peak i have to stand all the way for the entire 1.5hours. And cost more. And walk more. Simple b'cos my house is not next to the LRT station, let alone PG train station.

2) And for that high variation in bus timing, the weakest link is actually that bus 62, which is the only bus that move from Hougang to this part of Punggol. Waiting time can be as long as 25mins. All for a journey that last slightly more than 5mins.
My mum tried it once from somewhere in Sengkang, and swore to walk back ever since.

3) So if you add up all the worst cases' waiting-time together:

74 waiting : 15
62 waiting : 25
= 40 mins
= Time taken to drive home, all during the time when i'm not moving.

4) There's actually an express service 74e. But for a higher fee there's not much difference in timing simply b'cos....although it avoided all the jams on/after lornie rd, it plunge itself onto the long long long jam on PIE. And took a longer detour via thomson road.

5) Many guys experienced it right? The time you waited for the next bus is not neccessarily the amount of time you reach later. Sadly, that's the unavoidable fact about bus: traffic condition varies and affects it's timing.

For instance, once i took 74 at 7am, and i reach on 820am. Another day took at 6.50am, and reached at 7.50am.

Not forgetting buses overtaking each other. It can make you reach even later, or much earlier than those who boarded the earlier bus.

6) Which reminded me about what liwen told me before. When she was still going to SA back then, it's either that she arrived very early or late for school. Because by taking the one next train, she will see the connecting train leaving in her sight, and then misses again the connecting bus. .....Compared to mine, her case sounds worse.


7) So does this makes driving the king? No actually.
Despite the much faster overall timing (Morning 1h20m but at least on way home is off peak aka 40min) and the disapearance of waiting time, driving during morning peak hours is tough. Jams everywhere and everyone cuts their way through, demadning all time focus...while you are happily sleeping or munching into your breakfast on the bus.
And did i mention fuel is at all time high? Petrol now stands at $1.89 per litre, after discount. Compared to the $1.3/$1.4 of just couple of years back.


Conclusion? Seems like bikers have some edge here now. No jams, cheaper fuel, even cheaper parking (65c per day!) No wonder i know someone with ability to drive is taking moto test. Too bad i just dont have the guts, and not ever imagine my flu on the visor.

As a normal income kid, bus is still here to stay, no problems with that. Advantages are valid, and will hope for improvement in timing etc. And continue spot for the occasional special cars...or fall asleep.


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Diesel Cars in Singapore: Is this hope?

Spotted this R&D Volkswagen Passat TDI on bus, along AMK, 2 days back.

reads on the side: "Clean Diesel Power. Singapore research on Bio Diesel Fuel" or something.


Today on Lornie road, spotted another one with same words. But is a VW Toureg.
Overtakes traffic and flew up the flyover with ease.
Must be the V10 Diesel. Pooower.


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The 22nd year of my life (ie: Birthday)

Life is always about comparsion isnt it? Here one for you

21st bday : Big Aloha chalet, Big crowd, big budget, Lots of foods and options
22nd bday : Small chalet (aloha too), 7 pax, small budget and one steamboat.

But i'm not complaining. As a matter of fact, i enjoy it more. Planning is still involved but less intense. More importantly, less quantity = more quality. Quality time with quality people; how better can that be?

A thank you to the "old folks" there on 19oct. Especially those who squeeezed their time to come. Although everything including the program was damn simple, hope u guys had enjoyed the time, the food, and the company. ;)




....derrick, kent, dom, zw, sf....Not in pix, Wailing.


.....is aloha gonna be an annual booking?


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


...And i gave myself a little Birthday Present..

Yes, the fiat punto again, this time in the semi auto disguise. Just nice for a small comparsion since after i had driven the manual previously 2 months back.

So how's my first time with something clutchless?

1) The usual: It's a godsend during traffic jams. 
Especially when the clutch of the manual version is so hard to modulate.

2) ...But there's a tendency to shift later than what u want. Step only slightly harder it holds beyond 3k rpm. Not good for fuel.

3) Jerk during hard driving. So drive gently and leave it to it own device. Smooth is definately attainable, after I've gotten used to it.

4) Manual mode. Push it to right and select via +/. 
Fun yes, but why is it in opposite direction? So unnatural to push forward to change up, when forces are pulling u back.

5) ...And if i'm not wrong, surprising manual mode not quick as real manual. I tried changing gear and lifting the accelerater as if it was manual, but i get jerks. 
None if i release it longer. Is the change slow or sys confused? Didnt get to find out..

6) The standard car beeps whenever seat belt not fasten etc. Now, there's more stuff to beep about...: Not stepping on brakes while shifting to reverse, Not shifting to 1 when engine starts, Not shifting back from neutral when engines shuts, Not shifting to correct gear in manual, etc etc. The passengers and drivers are equally annoyed.

7) Advert claims that the Semi auto is more fuel saving than manual one. Result, auto 11.5km/l vs manual 13.2 .... Not quite it seems. But to give it some credit, i covered more smooth expressway kilos in the manual back then than this time.

Still, the rest of the car is still great. Bar the weaker built quality in glove box and some ergonomics niggles, it's : Stable, effortless, comfy, and uniquely striking looking. Just dont buy a black one. It blends away all her gorgeous curves.



-------------------------------------------------------


And i go straight to the point. One day before my chalet, I broke the bumper of the car.

It was really bad luck. The Punto was parked with butt over kerb, and we got the guy to transfer to rear seat. I didnt check before moving off, so the sunken back was being pulled out by the kerb.

KRAAK it went. It crumbles with my heart. Sounds like exactly the same as my previous accident with that van and taxi.

Broke the assembly on the outer side of bumper, and broke too the plans for the night. Oh yes, the car was only 2months old from registration. Guess how obivious is the damage.


But what memoriable was what happens next. 
We spent the next 2,3 hours trying to fix the bumper. We went on kneels to inspect, analyize, and fix. 
Even to search on the ground of any dropped parts.

Honestly, i would really really be lost if i was alone. No question asked, no fingers pointed, just fix the problem together. I really appreaciate it.

After rushing to kelvin house for tools and eventually amk hub to buy that special screw, it was being put back. 

If only the car wasnt that new and shop wasnt that sharp, we could have sailed through it. 

The misalignment gave it away. And we were $180 poorer.

NEvertheless, thank you very much.

Not in order of merit: Kelvin, GH, Raymond & WQ.


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Live for life.

Quoted and summarised from an article i read somewhere:

We always give nicknames to other peers during our childhood days don't we? And many labels are always based on the characteristics we view of others, like 4-eyed chicken or fat boy or blur sotong. As much as they disagree, time and time again it became an acceptance, something they grew up accepting it as what they are.

And that's how it became; We view ourselves as not what we think we are, and not what people hope we are; Rather, we are, other's perception of us, in our view.


....and it's different from what people really think we are. Back to that children's example, labels/nicknames could be given on the instance. Not something from the heart; yet to the person in limelight it possibly had went into his heart. That's how such "small" things stick with that person for a long time.

Pretty negative? At times i do agree. More sad is how some people had carried the label on and gave up on his/her life. That shouldnt be the way; we only live for the people that cares for us right?

Easier said to be done, that's why at times i do really admire those who can persist to think who they are in their own idea, unaffected by everyone's view around them.

...Especially when all individuals are part of a society, learning and getting "ideas of living" from all members of the group. That's how we know how a man should behave, vice versa for girl, for instance.


So, how did they do that?


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The power issue

The power of our body.

Frankly, i'm really amazed If u recalled, previously i fell sick just one day before my Final Econs Exams, and recovered within a day to be fit for the paper next day.

Now, 2nd week into school, here i go again. Woke up on Tues nite with fever. Forced myself to sleep, drank lots and lots of water in the morning, and went to school. Thank heaven for Kent's car ride.

And suffered the longest 3 hours of lecture in school. Body aching, and kept fighting to keep awake.

Once back home, went into sleeping mode again. And that night i slept for 11 hours.

Next day woke up, cleared the throat, and i'm totally ok. Wow.

Just sleeping and water, without a single pill, and i'm cured. Isnt the power of our body self healing amazing?


Power of mobility.

The fortunate kent got his desirable driving licence recently, with good scores and first attempt. 
Once again it restated to me...How wonderful is the power of mobility.

Yes, it's one of the easiest way to experience freedom and convenience....
Go anywhere where buses or foot cant take you to!
Explore anywhere that you had never seen or been before!
Reach places in record times you never attain by public transport!
Be dry even in the heaviest thunderstorm!

Sadly, things arent that innocent.
Step out on the wrong time of the day and you are struck all way in Traffic jams. What freedom are all reduced to mere confinement.  
Start paying for petrol and cashcard and burn a pocket hole as big as Java island volcano. 
Trying finding for parking lots in town, either you tear coupons as if there's no tomorrow, or pay as much as dinner+lunch, or end up walking further than marathon.

How i wish i live in Australia. Where car is neccessary, not a luxury.

But looking back at Kent, for the moment all these thoughts are flung far away. Freedom is how you define it; piloting the car at which ever lane you want it to move on can still be freedom. At least traffic jams and ERP can be avoided with correct planning of route, 
and SIM have a basement carpark...which is free.


Power of advertising.

Anyone still remembers that Prudential Adv shown more than 13years ago? Thanks to the adv song "my life story" by Dick Lee, some still remembers it....well, at least my friends, as we chatted on this topic that day over dinner.

Songs accompanying adv are really one of the most classic example of marketing, and it really works. Either people get interested in the ad because their idol is singing for it, or simply that customised tune is so catchy. Throw in a jazz song and some Ang Moh in the ad and your brand feels continental. With James Browns's "I feel Good", I thought Benq comes from the states...When it's actually Taiwanese.

And whenever I drove pass this road and saw this signboard, that song came to me again. Again and again it spins in my mind for the rest of the day. grr.


"....If you need somebody....Mr invertor, mr invertor, mr invertor...."



It's such relevances in our life that make Marketing such an interest subject to study. I guess i'll like it for the rest of the term....Only if uol have BSC Marketing.