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2 years 2 month, 70000 km clocked. Our van is indeed a piece of hard-worked machinery. Day in day out, from sun rise to sun set, shuttling everyone to work, and covering all parts of the island for my dad’s work, there’s no one day that she is allowed to “sleep” for long. No time for servicing.
No wonder, some time later, she starts to felt sluggish & heavy footed. Response is slower, and even that air-con doesn’t like to blow you cool air anymore.
And one day finally my dad brought it to the well over due servicing session. Blackish oil changed, air filter dumped for a clean sparking one. And it was as if she was given a new leash of life.
Just driven it, now every gear change comes with a surge of power; Lane change, no problem, power comes even from 80kmh. Moves with a light-foot, seems ever enthusiastic to take up the new task for today…
…which, I can’t help relating it to humans. You see, when we don’t give ourselves enough rest, isn’t we will start to response poorly, “blur” about things, lose interest, poor management of crisis/problems, and even don’t feel like working anymore?
For a moment I was so, just recently. So much stuff to handle, so much responsibility to take, and so much weekend burnt. Insufficient sleep is one thing, a mind that cant switch off is another thing that made it worse. In the end I kept forgetting things and was careless about some stuff.
Which is getting to be similar like my boss, which is a extended version and a more serious case of what that was mentioned above. So serious that he been working 12 hours everyday, having panics when crisis comes, and perhaps, even affecting his family.
Only until a day off like today, whereby that long sufficient sleep is just like a nice servicing performed on you, after which you would felt better all over again. Mind cleared, ready to take up new task again. Just like the vehicle that had just done servicing.
And a nice tour will be like an overhaul instead. An escape from the familiar city to else where which is in a slower paced, think of nothing that is bothering you but just focus on all the new sights and do what you like… Hopefully refreshes all your senses after the trip, making you ready for new challenges…
This is why, another reason for me to look forward to the Batam trip: A chance to forget any worries or news, and be ready to face the new challenges of new school year, regardless good or bad results.
Trip aside, guess it also a reminder to all to take leave and break when you got too much on hands...whenever possible of course. Derrick you hear me? ^-^
Now who says cars is not like human? If humans don’t take a break, they will break too.
And no wonder, that time after my boss boost that he haven’t taken leave or MC for a year, he fell sick for 2 days there after.
.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
the brown touch + bdays round the corner
After the comp was fixed (or rather, changed totally), my sist went back to her usual feed of the Mr brown show.
And we found, even our small-little-ulu-forgotten town of Punggol had received the touch by Mr brown too...
punggol-21-plus-plus/
If this is not that funny, try out the others below. Seems that he really likes to sing recently....
2 many 2 count erp drift
-- as the title suggest'd...
blame it on somebody
-- the mas issue..
Fare game
-- "i dont have bus to change!"
-----------------------------------------------
So as i loggon onto facebook, trying to upload Kent's bday photo (which are taken one month ago) onto the album, to find i've been tagged on WenLing's bday before i uploaded her bday photos, only to be reminded that Dom's bday is coming soon, which means more photos to upload soon.
Ah. This is not a bad thing. Like what i always felt, birthdays are the best time for gathering; the once-in-a-year thing will really ensure pple to gather back again despite how busy we all are. Not that significant for now perhaps, but definately important when we all finish school and starts to work.
And Kudos to that inventor of Digital Camera. Just b'cos photos taking becomes so easy and "unlimited" thanks to the digital storage media, it allows for all sorts of candid and crap photos to be taken at such events.... and dont discard these crappy photos...candid shot is where, i think, the most natural self of one is displayed, and is definatly as memoriable....every pix indeed tells a thousand words.
So there you go...download my pix at birthdays or any gathering..and enjoy 'em for a long time to come ;)
And we found, even our small-little-ulu-forgotten town of Punggol had received the touch by Mr brown too...
punggol-21-plus-plus/
If this is not that funny, try out the others below. Seems that he really likes to sing recently....
2 many 2 count erp drift
-- as the title suggest'd...
blame it on somebody
-- the mas issue..
Fare game
-- "i dont have bus to change!"
-----------------------------------------------
So as i loggon onto facebook, trying to upload Kent's bday photo (which are taken one month ago) onto the album, to find i've been tagged on WenLing's bday before i uploaded her bday photos, only to be reminded that Dom's bday is coming soon, which means more photos to upload soon.
Ah. This is not a bad thing. Like what i always felt, birthdays are the best time for gathering; the once-in-a-year thing will really ensure pple to gather back again despite how busy we all are. Not that significant for now perhaps, but definately important when we all finish school and starts to work.
And Kudos to that inventor of Digital Camera. Just b'cos photos taking becomes so easy and "unlimited" thanks to the digital storage media, it allows for all sorts of candid and crap photos to be taken at such events.... and dont discard these crappy photos...candid shot is where, i think, the most natural self of one is displayed, and is definatly as memoriable....every pix indeed tells a thousand words.
So there you go...download my pix at birthdays or any gathering..and enjoy 'em for a long time to come ;)
Saturday, August 02, 2008
It's 2am, and i'm just done with back-up -ing this Desktop PC, whose life will be terminated in 2days time. These recent days are so madly busy (cos of my really "fulfilling" internship) til my sleeping hours are so messed up, so it explains why i'm still typing this at this hour.
Anyway, the main point of this portion is to share this: A pix i found some where in the Comp.
Yes, done by my dear sister, 2 years back....After she had explored and learnt totally by herself how to use Photoshop, she did this that same night (til 5am or so)
2 years back i was so damn pissed with her. Especially when she placed it as the windows desktop pix and surprised me next day.
But 2 years later when i chanced apon it again, it was rather funny...and actually, i find it quite well done eh.
Hmm... people do change?
-------------------------------------------------
And it's still 2am, and i'm done with the above post, and i'm still not sleeping yet. Guess even when i sleep my brain dont really rest, coz i do have dreams... The recent theme of my dreams seem to be travelling; That night after i watch'd telle on Norway's Northern Cape of the midnight sun rise, I dreamt of that place that night. And last night, it was Toyko, after an Ep of Top gear,,,
The Tokyo one was rather nasty, coz i lost my way and figured out how to take the public bus all by myself. which was irritating coz the feeling of loneliness was so realistic that it was really not that nice and i kept wondering why am i on a ah-hoc holiday to Tokyo, alone (in the dreams)
Which, when i woke, really made me think about two things. One, how did some people manage to survive alone in a totally foreign land (and risk getting lost all by themselves) and Two, i will never want to travel alone.
And that how, when i'm inspired to travel to (and enjoy the journey towards) destinations such as OZ great ocean road, Norway Northern Cape, etc etc, i do hope i'll be with the best partner and buddies. And the best partner and buddies will always be around in the life-journey.
.
Anyway, the main point of this portion is to share this: A pix i found some where in the Comp.
Yes, done by my dear sister, 2 years back....After she had explored and learnt totally by herself how to use Photoshop, she did this that same night (til 5am or so)
2 years back i was so damn pissed with her. Especially when she placed it as the windows desktop pix and surprised me next day.
But 2 years later when i chanced apon it again, it was rather funny...and actually, i find it quite well done eh.
Hmm... people do change?
-------------------------------------------------
And it's still 2am, and i'm done with the above post, and i'm still not sleeping yet. Guess even when i sleep my brain dont really rest, coz i do have dreams... The recent theme of my dreams seem to be travelling; That night after i watch'd telle on Norway's Northern Cape of the midnight sun rise, I dreamt of that place that night. And last night, it was Toyko, after an Ep of Top gear,,,
The Tokyo one was rather nasty, coz i lost my way and figured out how to take the public bus all by myself. which was irritating coz the feeling of loneliness was so realistic that it was really not that nice and i kept wondering why am i on a ah-hoc holiday to Tokyo, alone (in the dreams)
Which, when i woke, really made me think about two things. One, how did some people manage to survive alone in a totally foreign land (and risk getting lost all by themselves) and Two, i will never want to travel alone.
And that how, when i'm inspired to travel to (and enjoy the journey towards) destinations such as OZ great ocean road, Norway Northern Cape, etc etc, i do hope i'll be with the best partner and buddies. And the best partner and buddies will always be around in the life-journey.
.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
service yourself first
Nothing works tonight. My LG dvd recorder screws up on my once again, wasting the 3 hours of effort last night, and now yousendit is down, delaying all my photos to be sent out. Faced with such frustration, one could simply complaint and yell at any customer service that one can find, but did any one thought before this: What's the point?
Right now, having involved in customer service, i got the opportunity to experience first hand how is it like to sit at the "frontline" counter, thus getting a new insight in the ever "wonderful" human nature, and how pointless somethings can be:
- People demands info from the wrong department:
Percetage of it happening: to a high extent. Most of the time walk in customers will ask you issues that is not under your department. And then they demand you to find it out for them. You see, how would that be better, when (ONE) the info will pass through so many hands, taking the risk of been mis-translated (think of the Pass-the-message Game we played at OGL camp) (TWO) Your case/issue/question will be again mis-interpreted coz the person asking is not the person in question, risking the question being distorted, and (THREE) isnt it is faster if you ask the correct place directly, and no risk of mis-interpretation?
- People gumble or shout and yell or scolds the service officers
Ok, i accept the fact that the person will be displaying such an extreme behaviour due to stress or etc, but other than venting out his frustration, does it solve the issue he has? Bearing in mind, especially for the case of system flaws etc, the service person is not responsible for that, so why should the poor person take all the blame and be shouted at or nasty treated? As if they are the slave or servant, owning the customer in their past lives.
So what happens in the end is that in order to pacify the situation, the service person will keep on apologising (for something they never done). And that another thing; what is the point of an apology that is said for the point of saying? In the first place the scold shld not have taken place; how much can the service officer do? Re-programme the system himself/herself? Re-build the building? Change a policy ownself without management approval?
- People complaints and complaints about anything they dont like
And many times it is not constructive: Ie: throw something at you and say "i dont care, i dont like the way it is now". Right, so what you do suggest it should be? "I dont care, it is your job" . See my point?
Better still is those who creeps behind you, and directly shoots a complaint to the top top HQ, leaving behind only a brief description, a surname and NO contact number. Ok, if it is real flaw, the organisation can change. But what the point of that when you are not allowing further contact for follow up actions, so as to get a better understanding of the complaint and areas to improve on?
- People challenge the service personalle on issues that are fixed (ie: Policies, design of online booking system)
Similiar to earlier point, i didnt understand this part too. Ok, from the perspective of a customer you do feel frustrated when the service personal tells you "this is the limitation, nothing can be done" But when one continue to argue on with the classic statement "it's not about money", what can you get from it? The low low level service person have no ability to do anything. Even if you are the best debator in the world you are just channelling your abilities to the wrong person. In cases, it still ended off with the customer walking off with nothing in return. Worth the saliva to argue there and ruin the poor service guy/girl day?
....
Pardon me for the last time, but at times it did appear to me that those who complaint might to be seen as ignorant..... Rather, the perhaps smarter one will just get the neccessary info and seek help from the correct place, be it getting info or giving constructive feedback... And now, i found myself especially appreciative of those are willingly to seek help themselves, and even more patience to other service personal out there...it is really a tough job.
.
Right now, having involved in customer service, i got the opportunity to experience first hand how is it like to sit at the "frontline" counter, thus getting a new insight in the ever "wonderful" human nature, and how pointless somethings can be:
- People demands info from the wrong department:
Percetage of it happening: to a high extent. Most of the time walk in customers will ask you issues that is not under your department. And then they demand you to find it out for them. You see, how would that be better, when (ONE) the info will pass through so many hands, taking the risk of been mis-translated (think of the Pass-the-message Game we played at OGL camp) (TWO) Your case/issue/question will be again mis-interpreted coz the person asking is not the person in question, risking the question being distorted, and (THREE) isnt it is faster if you ask the correct place directly, and no risk of mis-interpretation?
- People gumble or shout and yell or scolds the service officers
Ok, i accept the fact that the person will be displaying such an extreme behaviour due to stress or etc, but other than venting out his frustration, does it solve the issue he has? Bearing in mind, especially for the case of system flaws etc, the service person is not responsible for that, so why should the poor person take all the blame and be shouted at or nasty treated? As if they are the slave or servant, owning the customer in their past lives.
So what happens in the end is that in order to pacify the situation, the service person will keep on apologising (for something they never done). And that another thing; what is the point of an apology that is said for the point of saying? In the first place the scold shld not have taken place; how much can the service officer do? Re-programme the system himself/herself? Re-build the building? Change a policy ownself without management approval?
- People complaints and complaints about anything they dont like
And many times it is not constructive: Ie: throw something at you and say "i dont care, i dont like the way it is now". Right, so what you do suggest it should be? "I dont care, it is your job" . See my point?
Better still is those who creeps behind you, and directly shoots a complaint to the top top HQ, leaving behind only a brief description, a surname and NO contact number. Ok, if it is real flaw, the organisation can change. But what the point of that when you are not allowing further contact for follow up actions, so as to get a better understanding of the complaint and areas to improve on?
- People challenge the service personalle on issues that are fixed (ie: Policies, design of online booking system)
Similiar to earlier point, i didnt understand this part too. Ok, from the perspective of a customer you do feel frustrated when the service personal tells you "this is the limitation, nothing can be done" But when one continue to argue on with the classic statement "it's not about money", what can you get from it? The low low level service person have no ability to do anything. Even if you are the best debator in the world you are just channelling your abilities to the wrong person. In cases, it still ended off with the customer walking off with nothing in return. Worth the saliva to argue there and ruin the poor service guy/girl day?
....
Pardon me for the last time, but at times it did appear to me that those who complaint might to be seen as ignorant..... Rather, the perhaps smarter one will just get the neccessary info and seek help from the correct place, be it getting info or giving constructive feedback... And now, i found myself especially appreciative of those are willingly to seek help themselves, and even more patience to other service personal out there...it is really a tough job.
.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
bubble dream
Saturday noon, sat down infront of telly, watched watever that is screening. And CNA is showing the repeated docm on the "boy in the bubble", and after glued to watching it for half an hour, i really got to say my heart sank as i watch the entire account of the boy's 12 years of life in the bubble.
Doctor's narrow minded? too optimistic? or short sighted? Was the boy really happily living for 12 years or it was full of fear? No doubt he contributed significantly to medical research, but the change from a happy jumping kid to a older boy with not much expression makes me feel sorry for it.
When i'm have more time think i'll go read more about this online.. meanwhile, if you are free surfing around, perhaps you want to check it out at wiki or pbs.org (as indicated thru-out the 30min program) .....maybe this incident may inspires you think about many things around us.
wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Vetter
.
Doctor's narrow minded? too optimistic? or short sighted? Was the boy really happily living for 12 years or it was full of fear? No doubt he contributed significantly to medical research, but the change from a happy jumping kid to a older boy with not much expression makes me feel sorry for it.
When i'm have more time think i'll go read more about this online.. meanwhile, if you are free surfing around, perhaps you want to check it out at wiki or pbs.org (as indicated thru-out the 30min program) .....maybe this incident may inspires you think about many things around us.
wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Vetter
.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Dont prefer to be perfect, even for prefects.
For the benefit of any who are not aware, my 2,3 weeks of absent in updating is because I'm doing my internship now, and for god, it's so tiring...Having depleted of energy after every day and using coffee to perk me up during the day, it was until now then i have the juice to create this post. Which of cos, created also after sufficient inspiration was gathered.
And no prize for forcasting it before you read on, yes, it's gonna be about work life.
So what's does the ever-reflective evoxiang.blogspot.com tells you tonight?
Being Perfect might not be ideal.
How does this idea comes about? It was after i had settled down on my your-job-scope-is-almost-everything-and-you-got-to-multitask-and-do-things-fast-and-be-polite-despite-all-odds job, and started to observe...
..It appears that those who always finish all their task and make leave on time or take time off are seen as slack. For instance, i got a guy here, married with kids, but always not frequently in office. People always seem to ask around has he done his stuff when he's not around, especially when i first entered and not seen him yet, that dont do too good in contributing my impression score of him.
On the other hand, i got another guy, also married with kids. Now this is the first few person i met when i entered, and that moment it got one big word "BUSY" stamped all on him. Always running around, having a room that have piles of document on every usage or non-usage space, having so many things thru his mind, staying back late after work, etc etc...and scaring the shit out of the intern on his first day, thinking that he landed in a very very busy department (it's is really, but not that bad)
As it turns out? Guy number 1 came back from his leave, and now it looks different. When i thought he some one that will avoid job, he didnt. In fact he offers to help when needed... His task was as completed, despite the shorter time he stays in office. As for person number 2, i slowly realise that he has slight signs of a kan-jong spider, have too much things going thru his mind, time management skills is not ideal, and tends take breaks during working time when he has unfinished stuff...
A disclaimer, not that i am now saying person number 2 is bad, but just that sometimes you cant help wondering this: If his time management is better then maybe he wont stay back that late; or even have so much work pile'd up.. He is commitment for sure, his job is tough no doubt, but it can actually not be as bad as it seems right?
Which reminds me of what i learnt in HR.. of a sign known as "presenteem". Studies shown that those who stayed late in office received higher appraisal scores, as compared to those who leave on time, if else kept constant. This also contributes to a culture whereby people feels guilty when leaving early... Bearing in mind, appraisal rating can be contributed not only by real performance but impression scores too.
Implications? Perfect might not do good; Having some imperfections might help you instead.
.
And no prize for forcasting it before you read on, yes, it's gonna be about work life.
So what's does the ever-reflective evoxiang.blogspot.com tells you tonight?
Being Perfect might not be ideal.
How does this idea comes about? It was after i had settled down on my your-job-scope-is-almost-everything-and-you-got-to-multitask-and-do-things-fast-and-be-polite-despite-all-odds job, and started to observe...
..It appears that those who always finish all their task and make leave on time or take time off are seen as slack. For instance, i got a guy here, married with kids, but always not frequently in office. People always seem to ask around has he done his stuff when he's not around, especially when i first entered and not seen him yet, that dont do too good in contributing my impression score of him.
On the other hand, i got another guy, also married with kids. Now this is the first few person i met when i entered, and that moment it got one big word "BUSY" stamped all on him. Always running around, having a room that have piles of document on every usage or non-usage space, having so many things thru his mind, staying back late after work, etc etc...and scaring the shit out of the intern on his first day, thinking that he landed in a very very busy department (it's is really, but not that bad)
As it turns out? Guy number 1 came back from his leave, and now it looks different. When i thought he some one that will avoid job, he didnt. In fact he offers to help when needed... His task was as completed, despite the shorter time he stays in office. As for person number 2, i slowly realise that he has slight signs of a kan-jong spider, have too much things going thru his mind, time management skills is not ideal, and tends take breaks during working time when he has unfinished stuff...
A disclaimer, not that i am now saying person number 2 is bad, but just that sometimes you cant help wondering this: If his time management is better then maybe he wont stay back that late; or even have so much work pile'd up.. He is commitment for sure, his job is tough no doubt, but it can actually not be as bad as it seems right?
Which reminds me of what i learnt in HR.. of a sign known as "presenteem". Studies shown that those who stayed late in office received higher appraisal scores, as compared to those who leave on time, if else kept constant. This also contributes to a culture whereby people feels guilty when leaving early... Bearing in mind, appraisal rating can be contributed not only by real performance but impression scores too.
Implications? Perfect might not do good; Having some imperfections might help you instead.
.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
car.
"Car" is a funny thing. Something that i fell in love since birth, for an unknown reason. The moment i came to my senses in 4 or 5 years old, i knew where my vision aims at. And fast forward to today, it's still, to me many other enthusiasts, something alive and multi-dimensional, while it can be simply a tool to the layman.
How much i like it? Look around this blog; the hobby list has it, many posts contains it, the title picture above has it, and even this address came from a car name. So much that sometimes, i'm concern that did i drive away people not interested in car on first sight of this page..
So why i like it that much? Frankly, the true reason is unknown, as mentioned earlier. But i do guess i attribute it to that fact that i can be a sense of freedom...It's something complicated; designed, engineered and manufactured after a long and complex process just for a simple and short brief: to move people.
Move people from places where other mode of transport cant bring you to. Move people faster and easier than other type of land transport. And Move people (who appreciate it) emotionally, from the design that spark feelings (think Fiat 500 or the MINI) or that sense of excitment from the way it moves throughout the journey...
And this excitment part is how some are not just a tool...it's something which you can feel. Your palms tells you how the steering react in turns, your butt tells how it rolls over surfaces, your ears tells how it sounds when you revv thru a tunnel, and your entire body feels how the car body follows through the cornering and thrust with acceleration. In the more focus'd cars you will not be devote of the above but be rewarded with this multi-dimensional sensation, with everything working in harmony to achieve it. And that excites.
Freedom, also in way of the ability to have control of it. Going to exactly where you want to go, pointing it in the direction you want. Freedom, also as in terms of expressing who you are with the car you drive. A form of self-expression, as learnt in sociology. And a society, in macro sense, it also represented by the cars on the street...A developed, individualist western nation you see sophisticated cars reflecting drivers' personality, while in a developing collective asian nation you see rational and reliable vans that seats 8 (Think toyota avanza/kijang)
And this why, relating to the last point above, that i always think that are no bad cars; each has their own purpose. Just that as i care about the journey as much as the destination, i want something that feels. And perhaps this is how the enthusiasts are differentiated from the rest..
This how this "tool" will always be different in my eyes, and i not stop lovin' it. The complex and dynamic auto industry will be where i'll (try to) belong; The sophisticated machinery will be what i'll appreciated; & Driving sensation will be my getaway from this messy society.
What's yours?
----------------------------------------------------
The other day, i got a chance to lay my hands on this Suzuki Swift, 1.3 auto. And there is it, one of better steering i had tried. Meaty, with feedback on the tarmac as you turn. A neat looking car, it does feel very conti with the solid shapes it has. Interior is very spacious, generous headroom. And fortunately as the "XG" spec, it got all the niceties like digital air con, fuel economy meter, motorised foldable mirrors, etc etc. Nimble car, it is.
Sadly, the 1.3 really struggles under acceleration and uphills; you can feel the auto gear desperately shifting down to get more torque...Guess the 1.5 version will be better. Some perceived quality can be better too, like that powered windows.. And how i wish the car can be slightly more rigid and slightly more stable at high speed...
So would i buy it for my journeys (in future when i got income)? Yes, if it is the 1.5 manual version and if i cant afford the mazda2. And if i can look pass those bit of quality niggles...
How much i like it? Look around this blog; the hobby list has it, many posts contains it, the title picture above has it, and even this address came from a car name. So much that sometimes, i'm concern that did i drive away people not interested in car on first sight of this page..
So why i like it that much? Frankly, the true reason is unknown, as mentioned earlier. But i do guess i attribute it to that fact that i can be a sense of freedom...It's something complicated; designed, engineered and manufactured after a long and complex process just for a simple and short brief: to move people.
Move people from places where other mode of transport cant bring you to. Move people faster and easier than other type of land transport. And Move people (who appreciate it) emotionally, from the design that spark feelings (think Fiat 500 or the MINI) or that sense of excitment from the way it moves throughout the journey...
And this excitment part is how some are not just a tool...it's something which you can feel. Your palms tells you how the steering react in turns, your butt tells how it rolls over surfaces, your ears tells how it sounds when you revv thru a tunnel, and your entire body feels how the car body follows through the cornering and thrust with acceleration. In the more focus'd cars you will not be devote of the above but be rewarded with this multi-dimensional sensation, with everything working in harmony to achieve it. And that excites.
Freedom, also in way of the ability to have control of it. Going to exactly where you want to go, pointing it in the direction you want. Freedom, also as in terms of expressing who you are with the car you drive. A form of self-expression, as learnt in sociology. And a society, in macro sense, it also represented by the cars on the street...A developed, individualist western nation you see sophisticated cars reflecting drivers' personality, while in a developing collective asian nation you see rational and reliable vans that seats 8 (Think toyota avanza/kijang)
And this why, relating to the last point above, that i always think that are no bad cars; each has their own purpose. Just that as i care about the journey as much as the destination, i want something that feels. And perhaps this is how the enthusiasts are differentiated from the rest..
This how this "tool" will always be different in my eyes, and i not stop lovin' it. The complex and dynamic auto industry will be where i'll (try to) belong; The sophisticated machinery will be what i'll appreciated; & Driving sensation will be my getaway from this messy society.
What's yours?
----------------------------------------------------
The other day, i got a chance to lay my hands on this Suzuki Swift, 1.3 auto. And there is it, one of better steering i had tried. Meaty, with feedback on the tarmac as you turn. A neat looking car, it does feel very conti with the solid shapes it has. Interior is very spacious, generous headroom. And fortunately as the "XG" spec, it got all the niceties like digital air con, fuel economy meter, motorised foldable mirrors, etc etc. Nimble car, it is.
Sadly, the 1.3 really struggles under acceleration and uphills; you can feel the auto gear desperately shifting down to get more torque...Guess the 1.5 version will be better. Some perceived quality can be better too, like that powered windows.. And how i wish the car can be slightly more rigid and slightly more stable at high speed...
So would i buy it for my journeys (in future when i got income)? Yes, if it is the 1.5 manual version and if i cant afford the mazda2. And if i can look pass those bit of quality niggles...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
the lil' cottage chalet
Fork n Spoon wrapped in red napkins, freshly cooked spagetti accompanied with tasty roasted chicken on the table, big pot of warm soup waiting to warm our stomach and lighted candles behind on the doorway warm up the heart. With this and big group gathered for dinner, it does reminds you of christmas isnt it?
Only that X'mas is half a year away...This is the OG gathering dinner, not forgetting Stella belated birthday.
Concepted weeks before amid exams, and put together in days right after the last paper, 5th of june was the day we saw the fruit of our labour. Looking at everyone happily gathered at the table for a homely dinner is the reward, and the belated birthday girl smile is the bonus. That's what that makes it worthwhile.
And the best feeling of all is knowing that you got a great team with you to make it happen. Alone you cant have brillant concepts on the theme and decoration & to actually do the deco, the knowledge of food to buy and the actual purchase and cooking, the idea on the gift and the actual making of it, and of cos, the actual clearing up and washing. And, those who willing to come down all way to the ulu ulu changi resort to make the "gathering" really like a "gathering".
The soup warms the stomach, but is the thought of all these that really warms you up. Thank you guys and girls!
(1)...the feast... (2)....the belated one.... (3)....believe it, camera was on a inverted paper cup... (4)..the wishes "enlighted".
---------------------------------------------------------
WISHing for the taxi?
Yes, here is the ever-present-evoxiang.blogspot-talks-about-the-car-he-drove time again.
This time, it's a toyota Wish. No intention to be a family man with a MPV; The toyota rush i booked couldnt be delivered on time in the last minute, so a discount was given for the Wish. That's what they say, unpredictability is risk but opportunity too.
And i'm glad i got the keys to it. Not only it saves the day when i got 7 passengers in the end, it was a comfortable car to cover great miles in ease. The supportive seats holds the driver in comfort, and 170Nm of torque makes expressway speed and overtaking really effortless. Not to forget that smooth and decisive 4spd auto gear. The gear stick itself, like the rest of the interior, is solid and well made in a typical toyota manner...built to last.
The car is heavy (1600kg), making it stable even at slightly above legal motorway speed. But heaviness also makes it very not nimble too; You know the acceleration is 'cos the engine got power but not 'cos the car is light. The steering is not as sharp as what we like too.
Low sitting position makes you forget you are in a 7-seater MPV, but visibility suffers; many times i have to sit up straight when driving thru tight places. A bigger side mirror is prefered, but guess that spoils the styling. 3rd row seats are not too hard to access and not too nasty to sit in, but passengers there sweated and cursed for the absent of cooling air there.
Worth a mention is that i broke my 24hours driving distance again; this time round is 340km (i slept for 1 hour only, within the 24 hr) Thankfully, the car returns 12.2km/l, which is really really good...considering that it is a MPV and 3 rows are occupied, and is a 1.8litre Automatic.
Now i understand why it was, at one time, the best selling parallel imported car in singapore...til the authorised toyota dealership cried.
But, if the fiat punto is a passion lover, then the Wish is the trustworthy business partner...When its time to say goodbye, you would hope to work with the reliable partner again but, you dont exactly miss him and feel sad.
340km...from sunset to sunrise...never felt like a Taxi as much as this before;^)
.
Only that X'mas is half a year away...This is the OG gathering dinner, not forgetting Stella belated birthday.
Concepted weeks before amid exams, and put together in days right after the last paper, 5th of june was the day we saw the fruit of our labour. Looking at everyone happily gathered at the table for a homely dinner is the reward, and the belated birthday girl smile is the bonus. That's what that makes it worthwhile.
And the best feeling of all is knowing that you got a great team with you to make it happen. Alone you cant have brillant concepts on the theme and decoration & to actually do the deco, the knowledge of food to buy and the actual purchase and cooking, the idea on the gift and the actual making of it, and of cos, the actual clearing up and washing. And, those who willing to come down all way to the ulu ulu changi resort to make the "gathering" really like a "gathering".
The soup warms the stomach, but is the thought of all these that really warms you up. Thank you guys and girls!
(1)...the feast... (2)....the belated one.... (3)....believe it, camera was on a inverted paper cup... (4)..the wishes "enlighted".
---------------------------------------------------------
WISHing for the taxi?
Yes, here is the ever-present-evoxiang.blogspot-talks-about-the-car-he-drove time again.
This time, it's a toyota Wish. No intention to be a family man with a MPV; The toyota rush i booked couldnt be delivered on time in the last minute, so a discount was given for the Wish. That's what they say, unpredictability is risk but opportunity too.
And i'm glad i got the keys to it. Not only it saves the day when i got 7 passengers in the end, it was a comfortable car to cover great miles in ease. The supportive seats holds the driver in comfort, and 170Nm of torque makes expressway speed and overtaking really effortless. Not to forget that smooth and decisive 4spd auto gear. The gear stick itself, like the rest of the interior, is solid and well made in a typical toyota manner...built to last.
The car is heavy (1600kg), making it stable even at slightly above legal motorway speed. But heaviness also makes it very not nimble too; You know the acceleration is 'cos the engine got power but not 'cos the car is light. The steering is not as sharp as what we like too.
Low sitting position makes you forget you are in a 7-seater MPV, but visibility suffers; many times i have to sit up straight when driving thru tight places. A bigger side mirror is prefered, but guess that spoils the styling. 3rd row seats are not too hard to access and not too nasty to sit in, but passengers there sweated and cursed for the absent of cooling air there.
Worth a mention is that i broke my 24hours driving distance again; this time round is 340km (i slept for 1 hour only, within the 24 hr) Thankfully, the car returns 12.2km/l, which is really really good...considering that it is a MPV and 3 rows are occupied, and is a 1.8litre Automatic.
Now i understand why it was, at one time, the best selling parallel imported car in singapore...til the authorised toyota dealership cried.
But, if the fiat punto is a passion lover, then the Wish is the trustworthy business partner...When its time to say goodbye, you would hope to work with the reliable partner again but, you dont exactly miss him and feel sad.
340km...from sunset to sunrise...never felt like a Taxi as much as this before;^)
.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Discovery channel
Discovering Monkeys
I was fascinated when my dad, while watching the news, told me how in the 60's, merchants brought Monkeys out from Indonesia to Singapore, to be sold to Americans.
At the time when Apollo had a taste of Moon's crust, yup, sold to them for space research.
How true? I dont really know.
But how interesting it will be, next time if you come across those pictures showing how they used to experiment with monkey in space suits, and thinking that, well, that the monkey used to breath the same air as you. ;p
Discover Mcdonalds
Was studying in a mac the other day, and focus point came onto the McDelivery person.
To think of it, this is quite a brilliant idea by them... You recruit people to make trips with their own bike, thus, unlike the other food chain, you save on the asset purchase cost and depreciation of own fleet of bikes, and also the logistic trouble to management the fleet (dont forget, bike insurance more tricky than 4-wheels)
And yet, you dont lose your own corporate identity. While competitor put logo'd boxes onto the bike, you simply custom made Backpacks for the riders. Backpack is big and red with the yellow arc, miles away you knew it is mcdelivery. Identity retained, without customing their bike. And flexible too, having able to carry the entire thing upstairs, and also slot directly onto that waist level height counter for food to be inserted.
Numerical flexibility, check. Nicely thought and executed plan, check. A strong brand and service extension, check. ....only if they can make the fries less soggy after the journey...
Discover Airport
Here you are, at Airport terminal 1, bus terminal (no punning intended) . You just reached and saw the bus moving off, missed it by a margin. You knew that the next bus will take forever to come. You also knew that it has to pass through another security check at Terminal 2 entrance, and will stop at T2 for some time cos driver taking toilet break and checking in at office. Would you run over via sky train to T2?
There we are, after a tiring day of studying at airport, in the above mentioned situation. Within the split second, we decided, to make the run to T2.
So we did. Rushing up the escalator, squeezing into the front of sky train, wheaving through the crowd along the passage way, we reached T2 in minutes.....
And here's a quick Evoxiang.blogspot test of the day. If you missed a bus at T1 and attempted to catch up on foot at T2,
dont bother. you'll still miss it, miles apart.
(The worst yet to come.
Within minutes of waiting and panting at the T2 bus bay,
.....the second one came.)
Discover myself
After the conclusion of my second year of exams, i seem to notice a trend.
Those essay paper which i'm confident, i dont do well. Those i'm scared, i did better.
Last year I was anticipating to use great examples for IBM, and i crash thru it. I was worried for sociology, it end up as one of the better done pieces.
This year, I slept well before marketing, and it was a nightmare. I was prepared for a thunderstorm for HRM, in the end it was, not that bad as i thought, like a windy day only.
So with this logic, shouldnt i be scared about everything in life to do well?
"Low confidence is the key to obtain results".... eh, that not suggested in Human resource theories eh.
maybe i think too much bah. -_-"
.
I was fascinated when my dad, while watching the news, told me how in the 60's, merchants brought Monkeys out from Indonesia to Singapore, to be sold to Americans.
At the time when Apollo had a taste of Moon's crust, yup, sold to them for space research.
How true? I dont really know.
But how interesting it will be, next time if you come across those pictures showing how they used to experiment with monkey in space suits, and thinking that, well, that the monkey used to breath the same air as you. ;p
Discover Mcdonalds
Was studying in a mac the other day, and focus point came onto the McDelivery person.
To think of it, this is quite a brilliant idea by them... You recruit people to make trips with their own bike, thus, unlike the other food chain, you save on the asset purchase cost and depreciation of own fleet of bikes, and also the logistic trouble to management the fleet (dont forget, bike insurance more tricky than 4-wheels)
And yet, you dont lose your own corporate identity. While competitor put logo'd boxes onto the bike, you simply custom made Backpacks for the riders. Backpack is big and red with the yellow arc, miles away you knew it is mcdelivery. Identity retained, without customing their bike. And flexible too, having able to carry the entire thing upstairs, and also slot directly onto that waist level height counter for food to be inserted.
Numerical flexibility, check. Nicely thought and executed plan, check. A strong brand and service extension, check. ....only if they can make the fries less soggy after the journey...
Discover Airport
Here you are, at Airport terminal 1, bus terminal (no punning intended) . You just reached and saw the bus moving off, missed it by a margin. You knew that the next bus will take forever to come. You also knew that it has to pass through another security check at Terminal 2 entrance, and will stop at T2 for some time cos driver taking toilet break and checking in at office. Would you run over via sky train to T2?
There we are, after a tiring day of studying at airport, in the above mentioned situation. Within the split second, we decided, to make the run to T2.
So we did. Rushing up the escalator, squeezing into the front of sky train, wheaving through the crowd along the passage way, we reached T2 in minutes.....
And here's a quick Evoxiang.blogspot test of the day. If you missed a bus at T1 and attempted to catch up on foot at T2,
dont bother. you'll still miss it, miles apart.
(The worst yet to come.
Within minutes of waiting and panting at the T2 bus bay,
.....the second one came.)
Discover myself
After the conclusion of my second year of exams, i seem to notice a trend.
Those essay paper which i'm confident, i dont do well. Those i'm scared, i did better.
Last year I was anticipating to use great examples for IBM, and i crash thru it. I was worried for sociology, it end up as one of the better done pieces.
This year, I slept well before marketing, and it was a nightmare. I was prepared for a thunderstorm for HRM, in the end it was, not that bad as i thought, like a windy day only.
So with this logic, shouldnt i be scared about everything in life to do well?
"Low confidence is the key to obtain results".... eh, that not suggested in Human resource theories eh.
maybe i think too much bah. -_-"
.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
hot day + hot marketing + hotter bus
Last sunday, few more days to the first paper, intensive studying.
The heat is rising in us, and true enough, singapore was very heated too. In the sense of the humid hot day.
Yes you saw it right. Outside temp: 36.5 C !! As warm as our body!
(Alright, the car manual claims that while travelling at low speed, the temp shown is slightly higher than the real one outside, so the actual can be around 35+ C... which is still damn high.)
Oh, that study area at UniSIM was not air con-ed.
So you got to get the fan to work. Believe me, when someone screws the settings it can take delicate fingers and lots of patience to get all 4 to spin.
Some frustrated, some tired but still smile, and some, falls asleep.
And when motion sensor cant detect us amd switch off fans & lights?
The magic arm saves the day, to get the fan back again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
thanks to wl, got to try out her mazda2 for 15min. (That sunday night, same day at above)
What to say? Really great to drive, handling is as true as what's tested by the Australian mag.
Very responsive throttle,
Engine have mid-range gut which is good for over taking, (despite having 4 pax onboard)
smooth and rapid auto gear change,
nice weighted steering,
Balanced turn in and rigid body that flows with you...as nimble as your limps.
'cos of the weight saving high strength steel?
But how i wish the leather seat can be more gripper. Seems thicker than the non-leather one i sat in roadshow.
And there's no lummination on the auto gear at night, which led to me, the manual gear regular, ashamely forgot the order of PRNDS and was lost for a short moment. Only at HUD they show you which gear you are in now...
& Sadly, when it's good value at Aussie, this wl's Auto Spec-R example cost at much as a base Mazda3 1.6 auto. So hard to argue.
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HOT marketing...
OK, when the real time comes for the real exam paper to be taken, you dont exactly feel hot. Some get cold feet, you get what i mean. Me, having really read through many materials, and having known which is my strength, i'm guess i'm still ok...despite not having a good feeling after i woke up... 6th sense, 6th sense.
Which....my ok was put to an abrupt halt once the paper starts. Just 15mins into it, i was lost. What was thought to be the examiner's favourite topic and what gave me confidence...was not there, at all. I do know the rest i guess, but to think of it now, at that point of time the unsettled me cant think straight and chain of thoughts and writing was not smooth anymore...
15mins, and half the battle was lost.
Never felt so bad in a paper, like trying to crawl through mud.
What to do? That's the limitation of such courses.
No matter how brilliant or how bad you are in the past 1 year,
you screw that 3hours of essay paper, you are screwed.
Once the pen was ordered to be placed on table, it seems to be many people around me look troubled. True enough, friends complained the same problem.. "Cannot finish", "unsure what to write", "Q too general", etc etc.
Seems like the last line of hope now is moderation.
Other than that, Move on.
.....no more "if"s. Just "see how lor."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
How hard can it be, to move to the rear?
This is a really funny thing it observe always, while on bus. What really amuse me is that, abundants of seats (not standing space, but seats) are available at the rear, yet these people just like to crowd around the alighting door.
OK lor, you crowd there, new passengers who board follows/dont bother/too shy to squeeze past, newer passengers stack up to the front door, and even newer passengers cant board the bus at the stop, cos there's no space to enter. When the rear is empty. I repeat, empty with seats.
And what's even more amusing is that from my random observation of samples, 70% of the time such person fits the profile of School girls in uniform with a very big backpack (school bag). Dont ask me why, but it's always so.
The best part is, while some adults who does this did it with that type of attitude that "it's my right to stand here", these girls do rather troubled when they realised that they are blocking passengers who are alighting, and will try to shift quickly for them to alight. After which, move back to the same point at the door, when they still have several more stops to alight.
Why? why dont you just take that seat there, so you wont have to block others?
Oh, our bus companies have those new Euro4 buses that have even more standing place right? At times, it seems worse on them. 'Cos a seat is defined as 1 seat, while place to stand for one pax...well, have no defined area. So MORE crowding occurs. MORE standing nearer to the driver...while, i repeat, there are seats behind....
This not a new issue it seems, 'cos i heard from my dad that at those good old days in the 70's, people do also crowd around in front. But back then, bus drivers would shout out loud in hokkien along the line of:
"Move back lar! Behind got ghost arh?!"
Today? In the era when bus drivers had been given a punch by passengers, you think that is possible again?
Maybe they should get promoter to give free Red Bull at the rear of buses. Or paste at the rear 4 lucky digits for Wed, Sat and Sun.
.
Friday, April 25, 2008
council memoir + WQ bday photos is up
That day, as I was transferring photos to some friends, I open the video file which i havent watched for a real long time.
Yup, it's the video for the council invest. File modified date: 18 july 2003.
More than 5 years ago. Surprising I look young. Everyone look so young too. Full of energy, and fun.
And fun is the key word. Although the term is only a short 12months, to think of it we had done so much so much, creating much memories.....Every scene, every image in the video, i remembered something about, recalled the stories behind them. It was so overwhelming for that 10mins.
5 years later at now, I realised, or rather, thought of a possible reason for it. Back then, we were all so highly motivated. Breaking free of all guidelines from the senior of previous batches, every event was given the freedom to develop. Plus as council, many big or small event of the school had our involvement, so the range was pretty wide...
So one after one we did it, with the motivation, spirit and creativity, creating stuff in events that had never been done before. All those games in orientation with unthinkable logistic, that fire ball that slided down to ablaze the camp fire, that one and only Amazing race around Singapore, that trip to recce Pulau Ubin and the amazing junior's training camp which was held there eventually...
Myself also, the first ever i get to shoot vid with derrick and make short clips, that was compiled into a full length VCD...
In short, nothing was pretty much impossible. Whatever idea generated, it was executed. Sky was the limit, that why possibly it could be the first time some of us had achieved so much. Very rewarding, very fulfilling, very special, and satisfying. And where i found my confidence back..
All in 12 months...Bonding was there, everyday you would just look forward to go that sofa in council room to chill with the guys, whom had travelled with you thru the difficult times and created so much exciting achievements with you....
....Quickly it came, quickly it was over. Exams came, and it was enlistment.
After it was all over, everyone moved on in life. Now while some guys are moving on towards higher achievement (SL made it to America), some other carried on with a mundane working/schooling life.
I tried to find back the feeling again in the club in my current uni now, but it was totally different. No such bonding, no such sense of achievement. Just carried out the event to make it pass.
....which was a good thing isnt it? At least it shows that the great memories are irreplaceable.
...
The day after i watched the vid, there was a notification on my facebook account, inviting to join the SR council group. Thank you to the person or group who created it. This is really very nice.
...very nice to remind yourself of the great times of the past so you can continue to motivate yourself to move on and to greater heights.
This blog is called "learning to reach top of my world", isnt it?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wan Qi 21st Birthday pix are all uploaded to facebook!
Ah, this is seriously overdue. No choice, cant send my yousendit cos my current month bandwidth is reaching the limit soon. And with almost 200 shots and clips, it cant fit.
So perhaps next month then i send out the video clip. Now, you can browse thru these galleries first ;)
Facebook photo album -- Wan qi 21st bday
part 1 -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24351&l=c4820&id=645531772
part 2 -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24352&l=2ebe1&id=645531772
part 3 -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24353&l=53a25&id=645531772
.
Yup, it's the video for the council invest. File modified date: 18 july 2003.
More than 5 years ago. Surprising I look young. Everyone look so young too. Full of energy, and fun.
And fun is the key word. Although the term is only a short 12months, to think of it we had done so much so much, creating much memories.....Every scene, every image in the video, i remembered something about, recalled the stories behind them. It was so overwhelming for that 10mins.
5 years later at now, I realised, or rather, thought of a possible reason for it. Back then, we were all so highly motivated. Breaking free of all guidelines from the senior of previous batches, every event was given the freedom to develop. Plus as council, many big or small event of the school had our involvement, so the range was pretty wide...
So one after one we did it, with the motivation, spirit and creativity, creating stuff in events that had never been done before. All those games in orientation with unthinkable logistic, that fire ball that slided down to ablaze the camp fire, that one and only Amazing race around Singapore, that trip to recce Pulau Ubin and the amazing junior's training camp which was held there eventually...
Myself also, the first ever i get to shoot vid with derrick and make short clips, that was compiled into a full length VCD...
In short, nothing was pretty much impossible. Whatever idea generated, it was executed. Sky was the limit, that why possibly it could be the first time some of us had achieved so much. Very rewarding, very fulfilling, very special, and satisfying. And where i found my confidence back..
All in 12 months...Bonding was there, everyday you would just look forward to go that sofa in council room to chill with the guys, whom had travelled with you thru the difficult times and created so much exciting achievements with you....
....Quickly it came, quickly it was over. Exams came, and it was enlistment.
After it was all over, everyone moved on in life. Now while some guys are moving on towards higher achievement (SL made it to America), some other carried on with a mundane working/schooling life.
I tried to find back the feeling again in the club in my current uni now, but it was totally different. No such bonding, no such sense of achievement. Just carried out the event to make it pass.
....which was a good thing isnt it? At least it shows that the great memories are irreplaceable.
...
The day after i watched the vid, there was a notification on my facebook account, inviting to join the SR council group. Thank you to the person or group who created it. This is really very nice.
...very nice to remind yourself of the great times of the past so you can continue to motivate yourself to move on and to greater heights.
This blog is called "learning to reach top of my world", isnt it?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wan Qi 21st Birthday pix are all uploaded to facebook!
Ah, this is seriously overdue. No choice, cant send my yousendit cos my current month bandwidth is reaching the limit soon. And with almost 200 shots and clips, it cant fit.
So perhaps next month then i send out the video clip. Now, you can browse thru these galleries first ;)
Facebook photo album -- Wan qi 21st bday
part 1 -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24351&l=c4820&id=645531772
part 2 -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24352&l=2ebe1&id=645531772
part 3 -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24353&l=53a25&id=645531772
.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
calculative calculator.
the truth is out.
Now we know the real reason behind the banning of our beloved scientific calculator..
Today, we had an unique, but rather nice maths lecture. Instead of just keep showing the answer of the practice paper, the overseas lecturer spent a portion of the time on the approach to the theory and questions. And some other time talking how him, if in shoes of a student now, rather failing this subject and learn how to use Excel spreadsheet...
Which is pretty true. How much of these maths methods will be tested in our work life, while how much more relevant will be the use of spreadsheet and etc will be? For something that we have to punch into the calculator for 10 mins and draw a big big table to compute, the Forcasting can be done in seconds with a spreadsheet.
That leads to this point: He shared our disbelief regarding the decision by uk side on "use-only-basic-calculator". Simply because, the real reasons behind their rational was that:
...they felt students in some parts of the world may be in a disadvantaged position as they could not afford a scientific calculator...
Right.
When all students around the world paid around 300pounds just for examination fees (not inclusive of other registration fees)，
is it possible that they cannot afford a scientific calculator, that cost 10, 15 pounds (S$30) ??
As quoted from this lecturer, we are all "progressing backwards", so might as well we are told "to use strings with beans" for calculations.
oh, how i love the way they speak.
.
Now we know the real reason behind the banning of our beloved scientific calculator..
Today, we had an unique, but rather nice maths lecture. Instead of just keep showing the answer of the practice paper, the overseas lecturer spent a portion of the time on the approach to the theory and questions. And some other time talking how him, if in shoes of a student now, rather failing this subject and learn how to use Excel spreadsheet...
Which is pretty true. How much of these maths methods will be tested in our work life, while how much more relevant will be the use of spreadsheet and etc will be? For something that we have to punch into the calculator for 10 mins and draw a big big table to compute, the Forcasting can be done in seconds with a spreadsheet.
That leads to this point: He shared our disbelief regarding the decision by uk side on "use-only-basic-calculator". Simply because, the real reasons behind their rational was that:
...they felt students in some parts of the world may be in a disadvantaged position as they could not afford a scientific calculator...
Right.
When all students around the world paid around 300pounds just for examination fees (not inclusive of other registration fees)，
is it possible that they cannot afford a scientific calculator, that cost 10, 15 pounds (S$30) ??
As quoted from this lecturer, we are all "progressing backwards", so might as well we are told "to use strings with beans" for calculations.
oh, how i love the way they speak.
.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
zai... (steady, good)
Convocation. How weird.
Last thursday, Jinie had her convo, finally. 9 months after she finished her last paper, and 7 after her grad.
So the atrium was converted again, with warm carpet rolled over the cold marble floor and warmed up by the even warmer buffet food. Definately a warmth and happy moment for every grad there with their family, that thunderstorm outside not damping any of the happy mood...
Of cos, considering how hard is it to survive this 3 years (or more) course.
And I do felt happy for my good old pal Jinie too, see-ing her back again, with her achievements.
Happily she went around, taking photos of everything. Yes, LTs, lounge, the gate, and even that new-to-her escalator.
Not everyday you see people taking photos of everything in school I guess. What always seem as a normal sight to you will suddenly be very beautiful on the day of convo. That level 1 area with the backdrop of the 4 storey high corridoors now look very significant. Or is it the rain?
And that green gate on that suppose-to-be main entrance, which few people walk through daily. Untouched and out of sight normally...This normal piece of fitting became a great photo view on the convo day where many took their shots against. Some guy even pull it out more to take more of it.
Through out her family followed along everywhere for the photos. Especially her dad, who was always known to be fierce. Not very approachable, we heard. But that day, he was in high spirited mood, smiling always and kept on suggesting possible shooting angle, and cracking that occasional joke. Very proud of his daughter. Which is a very great sight.
Happy time indeed, but in mind was in sort of a different tune.
Her mind was feeling "how great it was to be schooling, not working..."
while mine was "how great it was not to be schooling, but working..."
How weird. Only at Conovaction.
Nevertheless, Jinie, glad you made it!! Jia you on your career..
When's mine?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unexpectedly, I made a trip down to bukit batok the day before, via bus.
Yes, bus. Alone.
Which really inspired something out of me... I do really like the feeling of exploration on foot.
Indeed, the place was really like a foreign land to me. Having lived in the North East region for my life, and only been to major West side landmarks, this neighbourhood was the few unventured portion of singapore.
Yet when having to travel down there alone and arriving on a totally unfamiliar place, it wasnt fear or confusion that struck me. Instead, what overwhelmed me was the sense of fascination. It is the desire to explore every inch of a new place.
Journey on bus to the interchange was interesting enough. Where else can you see one big block of hill immedately next to a HDB block of flat, neighbourhood and schools built on a slightly contoured hilly land, with woods everywhere? The town look distinct to be called its own.
And the interchange. A departure from the norm SBStransits ones we always see in our region. Contrasted to the dark Bishan interchange, this one is brightly lit up with that 80's style rounded lamps hanging on that airy tall ceiling. And leading onto the above of the tail ceiling are those tall climbing stairs which looks as those bwlow the platform of Kallang stadium...
Perhaps all these small details fascinates me, that how i get excited. And perhaps that's why I desire exploring new places or taking that untried route, 'cos i will always have new sights.
That's how we conquered Hong Kong 2 years back, walked all the way down Kowloon on our own. And only armed with a MTR map, we even ventured into the less tourist-ly but more residence New Territories...
....Jet Star flies to Melborne @ $58 (w/o tax)....now my eyes really lit up.
Pardon the lousy angle, but here you can see bits of the description i made...
Last thursday, Jinie had her convo, finally. 9 months after she finished her last paper, and 7 after her grad.
So the atrium was converted again, with warm carpet rolled over the cold marble floor and warmed up by the even warmer buffet food. Definately a warmth and happy moment for every grad there with their family, that thunderstorm outside not damping any of the happy mood...
Of cos, considering how hard is it to survive this 3 years (or more) course.
And I do felt happy for my good old pal Jinie too, see-ing her back again, with her achievements.
Happily she went around, taking photos of everything. Yes, LTs, lounge, the gate, and even that new-to-her escalator.
Not everyday you see people taking photos of everything in school I guess. What always seem as a normal sight to you will suddenly be very beautiful on the day of convo. That level 1 area with the backdrop of the 4 storey high corridoors now look very significant. Or is it the rain?
And that green gate on that suppose-to-be main entrance, which few people walk through daily. Untouched and out of sight normally...This normal piece of fitting became a great photo view on the convo day where many took their shots against. Some guy even pull it out more to take more of it.
Through out her family followed along everywhere for the photos. Especially her dad, who was always known to be fierce. Not very approachable, we heard. But that day, he was in high spirited mood, smiling always and kept on suggesting possible shooting angle, and cracking that occasional joke. Very proud of his daughter. Which is a very great sight.
Happy time indeed, but in mind was in sort of a different tune.
Her mind was feeling "how great it was to be schooling, not working..."
while mine was "how great it was not to be schooling, but working..."
How weird. Only at Conovaction.
Nevertheless, Jinie, glad you made it!! Jia you on your career..
When's mine?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unexpectedly, I made a trip down to bukit batok the day before, via bus.
Yes, bus. Alone.
Which really inspired something out of me... I do really like the feeling of exploration on foot.
Indeed, the place was really like a foreign land to me. Having lived in the North East region for my life, and only been to major West side landmarks, this neighbourhood was the few unventured portion of singapore.
Yet when having to travel down there alone and arriving on a totally unfamiliar place, it wasnt fear or confusion that struck me. Instead, what overwhelmed me was the sense of fascination. It is the desire to explore every inch of a new place.
Journey on bus to the interchange was interesting enough. Where else can you see one big block of hill immedately next to a HDB block of flat, neighbourhood and schools built on a slightly contoured hilly land, with woods everywhere? The town look distinct to be called its own.
And the interchange. A departure from the norm SBStransits ones we always see in our region. Contrasted to the dark Bishan interchange, this one is brightly lit up with that 80's style rounded lamps hanging on that airy tall ceiling. And leading onto the above of the tail ceiling are those tall climbing stairs which looks as those bwlow the platform of Kallang stadium...
Perhaps all these small details fascinates me, that how i get excited. And perhaps that's why I desire exploring new places or taking that untried route, 'cos i will always have new sights.
That's how we conquered Hong Kong 2 years back, walked all the way down Kowloon on our own. And only armed with a MTR map, we even ventured into the less tourist-ly but more residence New Territories...
....Jet Star flies to Melborne @ $58 (w/o tax)....now my eyes really lit up.
Pardon the lousy angle, but here you can see bits of the description i made...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
So, what you do for? Well being or results?
"Nissan GTR vs Porsche 911"...
flip thru any recent car magazines, and chances is that this will be the headline you see... For the benefit of many, Nissan GTR is new sports car launched recently, which re-writes many records and created, sort of, a new legend. A new technological milestone, and fascinates every petrol heads worldwide.
Not that I'm not fascinated by it (had drool over Youtube abt it racing at nurburgring), but rather, i'm more interest about another car currently... it's the Mazda 2. Although it seems like another ordinary 5 door hatchback made for the masses, there's more to the car. Another rule-book rewritten, probably.
While every car had increased in size and weight with every successor, the Mazda 2 is one of the rare one that actually grew smaller and lighter by 100kg, as compared to the previous model it replaces. That's something difficult, because new cars developed nowadays have to meet with increasing tougher crash test (so heavier structure), more consumer demands (so more equipment installed) and less environmental impact (so cleaner engine, less fuel used)
And be lighter is indeed a solution to the problem of pollution... Forget the complex Hybrid system you see in the Prius... Just by reducing the weight of the car, it will need less power (drink less fuel) and become more agile (more fun to drive) . A simple solution, which is not easily done.
Yet those passionate guys at Mazda took up this route. In order to achieve this, the engineers used high strength steel which gives less weight, and reduces weight of everything in the car..including that mirror and stereo speaker, to save 1+ kg. Unneccessary items such as reading lights and hand grip are omitted too. Which gave us that total weight saved.
Brilliantly engineered, great handling, and a proud japanese styling...But did consumers appreciated that? It had received many awards and recognition form the automobile-media world, as the top 5 in Europe's car of the year and Australian 'wheels' mag car of year top 3, but does the consumers know about it? Would the buyer be informed about the weight lost benefit? Rather, what they would care is about the interior hard plastic, the more expensive price, insurance, and those items that they had ommited. And it will not be a fuel effecient car to them, as the Honda Jazz had already been identified as the fuel saver, and mazda is perceived as the drinker.
On the other hand, what is selling like hotcakes are cars that have a well known brand name, spacious, reskined but uses a outdated engine, old auto gear, and heavy. Better still, if the price is low, you dont even need the brand name. That's how those budget car sells, despite being loosely designed and poorly built.
Green car? Perception are, not the light weight one, but one that openly state themselves as one. That is why hybrids are perceived as the world saver when it still drinks as much on motorway, and use much more materials to manufacture, while fuel saving diesels are still not accepted here.
Isnt some events in life similiar too? Many times what deserves the attention and credits are not rewarded. Rather, winners are those who put the effort in whichever areas where the attention is at and which are perceived as the correct thing.
Does an examination really test our knowledge? That first class score do not imply that you know every thing in the subject and is passionate about it; it happens that what you knew well came out. Meanwhile, that true good student did not argue well enough for that question, so thus not so good scores. Like wise, a good car is not the best selling. The best selling one is one that ticks the consumers' box.
And just like car makers needing that sales level to survive, we need that examination score to survive. What it takes is not passion and study with interest, but hitting the correct point and doing it correctly for the examination.... which doesnt quite match the initial intention for further quest for knowledge isnt it?
Anyway, who will really go for studies nowadays for quest of knowledge? Many did a degree 'cos you need it to progress in society, and did business 'cos there's no other better choice.
.....and i'm doing all these so that i can earn enough to buy the under-rated but brillant Mazda2.
How ironic.
.
flip thru any recent car magazines, and chances is that this will be the headline you see... For the benefit of many, Nissan GTR is new sports car launched recently, which re-writes many records and created, sort of, a new legend. A new technological milestone, and fascinates every petrol heads worldwide.
Not that I'm not fascinated by it (had drool over Youtube abt it racing at nurburgring), but rather, i'm more interest about another car currently... it's the Mazda 2. Although it seems like another ordinary 5 door hatchback made for the masses, there's more to the car. Another rule-book rewritten, probably.
While every car had increased in size and weight with every successor, the Mazda 2 is one of the rare one that actually grew smaller and lighter by 100kg, as compared to the previous model it replaces. That's something difficult, because new cars developed nowadays have to meet with increasing tougher crash test (so heavier structure), more consumer demands (so more equipment installed) and less environmental impact (so cleaner engine, less fuel used)
And be lighter is indeed a solution to the problem of pollution... Forget the complex Hybrid system you see in the Prius... Just by reducing the weight of the car, it will need less power (drink less fuel) and become more agile (more fun to drive) . A simple solution, which is not easily done.
Yet those passionate guys at Mazda took up this route. In order to achieve this, the engineers used high strength steel which gives less weight, and reduces weight of everything in the car..including that mirror and stereo speaker, to save 1+ kg. Unneccessary items such as reading lights and hand grip are omitted too. Which gave us that total weight saved.
Brilliantly engineered, great handling, and a proud japanese styling...But did consumers appreciated that? It had received many awards and recognition form the automobile-media world, as the top 5 in Europe's car of the year and Australian 'wheels' mag car of year top 3, but does the consumers know about it? Would the buyer be informed about the weight lost benefit? Rather, what they would care is about the interior hard plastic, the more expensive price, insurance, and those items that they had ommited. And it will not be a fuel effecient car to them, as the Honda Jazz had already been identified as the fuel saver, and mazda is perceived as the drinker.
On the other hand, what is selling like hotcakes are cars that have a well known brand name, spacious, reskined but uses a outdated engine, old auto gear, and heavy. Better still, if the price is low, you dont even need the brand name. That's how those budget car sells, despite being loosely designed and poorly built.
Green car? Perception are, not the light weight one, but one that openly state themselves as one. That is why hybrids are perceived as the world saver when it still drinks as much on motorway, and use much more materials to manufacture, while fuel saving diesels are still not accepted here.
Isnt some events in life similiar too? Many times what deserves the attention and credits are not rewarded. Rather, winners are those who put the effort in whichever areas where the attention is at and which are perceived as the correct thing.
Does an examination really test our knowledge? That first class score do not imply that you know every thing in the subject and is passionate about it; it happens that what you knew well came out. Meanwhile, that true good student did not argue well enough for that question, so thus not so good scores. Like wise, a good car is not the best selling. The best selling one is one that ticks the consumers' box.
And just like car makers needing that sales level to survive, we need that examination score to survive. What it takes is not passion and study with interest, but hitting the correct point and doing it correctly for the examination.... which doesnt quite match the initial intention for further quest for knowledge isnt it?
Anyway, who will really go for studies nowadays for quest of knowledge? Many did a degree 'cos you need it to progress in society, and did business 'cos there's no other better choice.
.....and i'm doing all these so that i can earn enough to buy the under-rated but brillant Mazda2.
How ironic.
.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
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.
Friday, February 08, 2008
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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