Opposites Attract Applies to Food?

I've always love good food. No matter what cuisine, as long as it gives me the smell and taste of something wonderful. For those who doesn't know me enough, i am a foodie. One of my blessings was to be born in Singapore where food choice is a nightmare at times and good food can be obtained at low prices.

I got into loving food because of what it can do to the mind, to the situation and to the event and people you are having it with. It brings people together, sharing and commenting on how it taste, whether does it appeal to your liking. It is one of the most powerful ice-breaking between two people or more. That's why the traditional date program involves dinner at a fine restaurant.

So it came to mind that does cooking or eating food help attract the opposite sex? I've always believed that if one cooks for the opposite sex and earns a placing in their stomach, he/she has an advantage over the other competitors of the heart. It's pretty simple... You invite your date over for dinner, cook up a three course meal and end it with a bottle (or more) of good wine. The host sets the mood and is able to impress his/her date. Perfect plan for a simple date right? But to some people, that seems to be a tall order.

As part of my observation on people and their diet, some have specific and strict diets to follow. Either due to choice or religion, they are not as open to all kinds of foods. Which brings to me this issue... Does your date or partner's difference in diet affect the relationship? A canivore dating a herbivore, what future can they hold? How would they bring up their children? Would their children be omnivores or they would follow either side?

The Mid-Sem Break

It was the mid-semester break last week. Boy... What a week. It started out with a bang and lots of happening stuff, than it just mellowed down to pure assignments and boredom.

Good Friday a.k.a. Mambo Night
How can i pass such an event? Mambo music, clubbing. Girls. Drinking. Girls. I totally enjoyed myself that night and met Lin Jun Jie and Hong Junyang. Bloody faggots are holidaying there in Melbourne and they tell me it is good cause nobody recognise them. I'm like... Yah, its an ang moh country, you expect all of them to listen to your music?!?!

Saturday
Rest and relax from last night's clubbing. Didn't do anything productive at all. Spent the day playing games, listening to music, watching movies, etc. Watched soccer with my friends here. Picked up $50 on the floor. Bet on Man Utd to win and won $10.

Easter Sunday
Woke up late... Did some research and reading. Not really into the mood yet. Had a nice housewarming party which i attended. Eat, drink and played games. Some of them were playing some weird shaking and spining game on the Wii. Looks damn dumb.

Monday
Monday i started more seriously on my assignments. Put more effort into it and completed 15% of the required specs. At night had a dinner party with a friend. Her parents came over and we had Korean cuisine. Played L4D that night till 5am. Tiredness creeping in...

Tuesday
An outing with my housemate to Ikea. Went to buy a couple of pots. Had lunch there as well. Meatballs not as good as SG. After that we had a very nice dinner, Urban Burger joint. Burgers are almost as good as Carl's Jr. The only one which is nearest to the size and taste here in Melbourne. Hungry Jacks(Burger King) and Macdonalds just suck.

Wednesday
Soccer day. We played soccer that day. Helped a friend to fix her mobile broadband connection. I couldn't fix it as it was beyond what i could do... Just that the USB modem didn't give her an IP address. Too bad, so sad. Move along... Went serious mode into my assignments. The beginning of the suffering...

Thursday
Full steam ahead on the assignment. Went to the library to borrow some books. In the end, they didn't help much. I was stuck the entire day and night on the same two questions.

Friday
Almost the same as above except that this time, it was a full day and i didn't went to the library. Still stuck on the same two questions.

Saturday
Continued with my assignments hoping i could find an answer. Still no progress. So went to buy groceries and came back for a BBQ with my friends. They came, i BBQed, we eat, some left, some stayed to play L4D. Saturday officially ended.

Sunday
Same as before, tried everything i could on the assignment. From morning to night. At the final last, i gave up and went to watch a soccer game. Found out that my team fielded a group of unexperienced youngsters, i knew the game was a lost cause. Though i stayed on all the way, it didn't help lighten my mood in any sense. Went home, tried one last time on the assignment. Couldn't get the results. It is official. I gave up on my Dist and HDist. No point wasting time on that. I should have my rest.

So that is how the past nine days zoomed past me. Hopefully i do get good news.

Funny, Tingling Feeling

I don't know why but since last week, i have this weird feeling that something is wrong. I can't make up the feeling but it just feels that somewhere and somehow, something is not right.

Last year, i had the same feeling as well. It's like something bad has happened but i didn't know what was it. Until my brother broke the news that my Uncle, father's elder brother, passed away. He lost his battle to cancer. I still kinda miss him from time to time as he is still family in some sort. Plus his passing is quite a painful experience for my cousins and my aunt. I guess they must have gotten over it. I'm not sure if it's one year exact, but it's close to that.

For now, im still trying my best to find out what's the bad news. I've called back home and found that everyone is doing fine. So i guess family is safe. As for my closest friends, they seemed to be just as good. Though some are in a tiring and stressful position but it's SG, we are built on tiredness and stress. So now im wondering am i feeling this way. Well... Hopefully when i find out, i won't be blown away.

Hectic Week Over!!

Last week was rather hectic. I had stuff to do almost daily and it ate up most of my energy. Mostly after each day i'll just end up sleeping soundly and waking up the next moment i close my eyes.

My last post was talking about me having to wear a suit. It has been awhile since i was last seen in a suit. I didn't like wearing formal, it restricts a person from doing certain dumb stuff. Don't want to go into detail in that... But yes, i didn't like wearing formal. I prefer being casual, t-shirt, jeans, and shoes, sneakers to be precise. But i realise wearing formal helps when people are judging you from how you dress and look. So i guess judging a book by its cover does works! Haha...

So there i was with my team mates, who are all dressed up as well, waiting for the client. The client was pretty young, roughly half a decade older than me. It was during the meeting where we got to know more about her and her company, expectations of us and the project requirements. It was after the meeting that i realise that this project is not as easy as it seems. I guess we are in for the ride of our life now.

The weekends is packed as well... I had a bbq that was in the city. Expected to have more people turning up but only half turned up. Which was slightly dissapointing in my point of view. Then again, if people don't turn up, why are we having a bbq in the first place? Guess its a mystery that i cannot find an answer to...

On Saturday, i had a long night as well... Celebrated a friend's birthday by having dinner with his friends. After dinner, we went to a gentlemen's club. Paid for him a private lap dance, and i guess he enjoyed it! Haha...

On Sunday, i went to Albert Park, where the F1 raceday was held. It was a hot and dry day. Friends and i arrived at the venue couple of hours before the race started. I didn't eat alot in the morning so i ended up eating sandwiches when we 'setup shop' there. The race was pretty interesting and i was there when the crashes happened. I don't understand how the newcomers, Brawn-Mercedes can win the race. Some say beginner's luck, some say it's rigged by the gambling world, the underground society. Well... I say it was rather mistakes by all the major players.

And it all ended with that. A real busy week...

Suit up!! Or is it just for show?

Another chance for me to be in a suit again... I hate suits as it makes everything so formal. I don't like formal. Informal is the way to go, casual is how people should function now. Why is it that business related stuff must be in suits? I guess that has to do with history and the way people dress...

Summary of the Weather

That's most probably how i sum things up on the weather here and in Singapore.

Updates... For now...

My new place is a blast! Just waiting for the phone lines to be up and running, also a subscription for the internet so i can get online at home. No need to be sneaky and tap the school's wireless.

Am planning for a few trips now, including one that is a exchange program to Italy. Hehe... And if i do go, it will be a chance for me to look at all the Ferraris, Ducatis, etc... *Drool*

My Past Three Months

I have been back for more than three months. During my return, there are plenty of events that happenend. Most of them were good. I enjoyed most of them and always wanted them not ending so soon. We can control what we think, what we do and what to expect. But we can never control the hands of time.

November
I returned on the week of my birthday. Celebrated it with my friends here by treating them to a nice buffet. They gave me a present which i enjoyed playing.

I enjoyed the Singapore warmth for two wholesome weeks before i flew to Sydney. This time it was with the Carlsberg HQ staff. It was an unforgettable experience as my seat was the business class A380. Woot~~ The seat was huge, i could not forget how comfortable it was. Even thinking back now makes me wanna drool over it. Haha...

Upon return, i started gathering and meeting up old friends.

December
And soon it was Christmas. I miss family gatherings. They spell warmth and you see the family tree lines being laid there before your eyes. Christmas always held special meanings to me. I don't mind not receiving presents. At my age, receiving presents no longer excite me as much as before.

Christmas come and go and it was New Year's Eve. Final day of the year and i spent it at the floating platform near Marina Square. I was pretty much upfront and i managed to catch the celebs up close. The girls looked very sexy in their outfit as they dance and sang songs to entertain the ever ectasy crowd. And as the clock strike 12, we welcomed the new year with a bang with fireworks all across the skies.

January
It was the start of the new year. More gatherings and meeting up with friends. I went over to Macau for holiday. It was a 10 day trip. Went to a couple of places including Hong Kong and Zhu Hai. I didn't really enjoyed the trip overall. The place wasn't my kind of place. There are plenty of explore but it will always be only casinos.

February
The month of february was a slow one. Though some significant events happened. I took off my braces. After wearing them for more than two years, my teeth finally regained their freedom. I began eating almost as fast as before. But i still have to take good care of them, else i'll lose the alignment. I can say i'm happy about my new set of choppers. Though i have four teeth less, i still like my teeth.

The week of Valentine's was pretty well spent too. Gave flowers to the girls in my life. Shall keep their names secret as i wouldn't want to embarass them. Hehe... But they are very happy to receive flowers. I watched a stageshow, a Korean breakdance. It was pretty good and i enjoyed the show. It was a comedy and it was money well spent.

My dad went overseas the week after Valentine's. So i had to help out in the office. I didn't do much though, most of my task was to ensure i do the errands of banking and buying lunch back. Also to make sure that stock is always accounted for. It was a tiring week for me but i endured it no matter what.

And it comes down to this... My final week here in Singapore. I won't be returning soon as i decided to spend more time there. Will be visiting places i always wanted to see. Do the things i want to do. I won't allow anything to stop me. Hopefully nothing will stop me and i get to do the stuff i always wanted to do.

Wish me luck and hear from me soon!!

Countdown

Officially now i'm left with 10 nights. 10 more nights to sleep on my bed. 10 more nights to savour the warmth of home. 10 more nights to enjoy the comfort of the SG life and the foods that are available even after the stroke of midnight.

So did i really spend my last 3 months fruitfully?? Shall sum it up in my next post...

My Teeth have Regained its Freedom!!

Yesterday was a memorable day. I went to my dentist and she told me it was debanding day. She said i could now go on with my life without the metal braces in my mouth. It was something new to me after two long years of having metal stuck to my teeth.

Now they are free, it does feel a little weird. There is nothing constricting me when i eat, i won't need to rinse my mouth as vigourously as before and i now can smile often.

There is still the retainers period i need to go through but that will come next week. I've opted for the clear resin type instead of the metal band. I've enough of metal strips in my mouth. Though the doc says i'm more aesthetic conscious, i rebutted her with the phobia of metal rubbing against the insides of my mouth.

Shall look at my retainers next week. Hopefully this new found happiness would not be shortlived.

I don't know what to write...

This is the first time that i wanted to blog something down to keep it as a memory of my life yet i do not know what to write in it. There are things i want to write it here but decided against it. There are stuff on my mind i want to tell the whole world but rescind it back as it might cause damages i can never pay.

So i guess this post will be about my excuse for not writing my blog.

Till next time... When i can think of something worth writing, i shall revisit my blog and add another entry of my life.

Memories... Reminiscence... History...

It all started when i got my Poly classmates to start posting old photos of ourselves. Photos that were dated almost five years ago. Most of the girls would never want to see themselves in the past. They would wince, snarl and get all agitated at all the old photos of themselves. I wonder why as i look at them and realise how much they have changed, for the good and the bad.

Looking at the photos, i've changed quite abit. Physically, i am now more conscious of my looks. I got back to the hang of excercising more often. Learn how to groom myself and changing my mindset of the clothes i wear. I'm shifting towards style over function. Mentally, i grew more matured. I've seen things that made me look at things differently. I became more rational, learnt to think far ahead than normal and set my mind of the goals i want to achieve. I guess i have changed... I just hope that people will accept my changes whether they be good or bad.

As i look at the old photos, memories start flooding back into my mind. Visions of what happened during that period. All the happy, sad, angry and stressful times. All came as each photo jog the memory bank backwards. As i flip through the photos, i realise we as human beings changed alot. We learn to adapt, got financially stronger and put on more responsibilities on our shoulders. Unlike five years ago, things like office politics, work-life balance and cash flow issues have never crossed our minds. We were carefree and happy. Though we are not contented with our life, we were happy deep inside. It was this happiness that i realise is missing and dissipating from our lives. Not just me, but my friends too. How i wish i could turn back the hands of time, revisit the moments again just to savour it again.

Too much! Too much!

I was planning what i would like to achieve before i come back to SG permanently. One part of me wants to visit the country. Australia is so big, i would definitely need more than just that amount to visit everywhere. But there are a few places which i will definitely be visitng. Perth, Ayers Rock, Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane and Tasmania are all ticked in the list. Or a flight down to New Zealand for a quick getaway would be great too.

Than another part popped up, part of me wanted to try to learn something else. Like dancing, music, art, photography. I'm not very good in this department since young, im only good at running around and studying. So i guess this will definitely be a consideration.

Next would be my death defying stuff... I would like to go skydiving and white water rafting. I've done rafting before but the rapids were kinda calm and it wasn't what i expected it to be. This would only be done once and i do hope it will be done.

Well... I guess i have planned too much even though my time there is short i will try to complete as much as i can. Hopefully i can bring back memories and stories to entertain my family and friends.

Quiz time!!

What's the meaning of 'Philanderer'??

a) a person who does benevolent deeds annonymously

b) a person who flirts and have relationships with many women

c) a person who collects and studies stamps

d) none of the above

The Realist Meaing of Christmas

In the last post, i left off by saying how hard it was to get Christmas gifts to exchange in the working environment. Unlike giving gifts from parents to children, getting something appropriate and within budget is sometimes hard in this modern times. So to solve this issue, the working adults have come up with a 'wishing tree' or 'wish list' kinda of thing.

This 'wishing tree' or 'wish list' allows colleagues to state what they want as their Christmas gift. Usually there is a limited budget so everyone gets somewhat the same value and nobody is on the losing or wining side of the exchange. On the gift exchange day itself, people get together to eat and drink. While not to spoil the mood, the gift exchange maintains or improves it by allowing receivers to get what they 'wished for'.

So what is the true meaning of the Christmas spirit now? In the past, i was taught that Christmas was the celebration of Jesus Christ birth. His birth was considered the saviour of Man. That is why we sing praises to him and to God on the eve and the day itself.

Now... I think that has waned pretty much. We have changed and accepted the way how people look at this day. The marketing and media has take upon their shoulders to make use of this festive period to garner more sales or publicity. People celebrate the mood whether if they do or do not believe in The Nativity Story. The real world has changed. We celebrate it no matter what, get together with family and friends. Have dinner together and make merry. Maybe that is how we explain why there 'Merry' comes together with 'Christmas'.

So what is my stand? Where do i stand in this Christmas spirit? I'm on the limbo of both, sitting on the fence of both the religious and realist sides. Family members gather together to have dinner and catch up. I see my cousins and nephews whom i doubt remembers me much. But... That is how i celebrate Christmas. That is how i see Christmas through my eyes.

Christmas = Mad rush for Christmas Presents

I'll usually save up for my Christmas spendings. Such like start saving $5 a week and end up with more than $100 for my presents shopping spree. This year, i'm torn with last minute spendings. Such has caused quite a dent in my wallet. Well... Less shopping for myself and more running, swimming and staying home to relax then.

I started my Christmas shopping early this year, had lots of time on hand to burn anyway. It felt like the entire Singapore was out shopping instead of staying at home. Car parking was limited, the malls were crowded and patrons were lining up outside restaurants. I manage to get what i need before i escaped the massive crowd. I came to conclude why is Christmas not only a religious or festive mode, but also a marketing and sales upturn too.

The Christmas spirit is about sharing the love with friends and family. Sharing what you have with strangers and making them feel the warmth in their hearts though its cold outside. But in sunny Singapore, there is seldom a cold moment. It is cold when it is raining, else it's just another hot and humid day. And... With the festive season, companies used it to foster better working relationships by having Christmas dinners and presents exchange programme. This... Became a huge problem for most of my friends.

As you are working in an environment where you see the same people 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. That adds up to more than 40 hours a week if you include overtime. So now you are tasked 'involuntarily' to buy a Christmas present to exchange. What you do? Plus it is always hard when buying gifts for friends of the opposite sex, especially the guys. Guys get it easy as there are tons of stuff marketed at the female population of this world. But the guys usually wants something small yet so expensive. So in comes the unisex gifts such as the daries, calendars, fancy notebooks, etc. These are not only considered the 'safe zone' of gifts for the mysterious receiver, also playing it safe by the mysterious giver.

In the next post, i shall talk more about this gift exchange programme. How it has improved, what it meant now to celebrate Christmas with working colleagues and how the real world changed the true meaning of The Christmas Spirit.

Boom De Ya Da!

Love this commercial when i returned back to SG and started watching some of my favourite TV channels such as Nat Geo and Discovery channels. There is this song that really get me hooked on to it. Check it out, its kinda nice and catchy.

Click here to see the tv commercial

So i survived...

Yea... After a gruelling 42km of pain, i survived through it all. Though it was not all fine and dandy, it was still an achievement. If you ask me now if i wanna do it again next year, i wouldn't agree on it. Maybe another 2-3 months, perhaps i'm sane enough to sign up for it again.

So this major event has passed... Next on list are Christmas Dinner. There are lots of things for me to do, stuff that involves me and stuff that do not. It is tough to make decisions when you do not know the imminent outcomes are. This adds further stress to the planning and execution i have to do.

During the marathon, i have thought of disappearing again. Take my passport, enough clothes and begin on a journey. Get away from all the mobile phones, all the MSN, all the emailing and just disappear. I remember vividly how my parents missed me while i was away, backpacking for my 1st time, for two months. My parents only bothered to find out where i was when they didn't see me for consecutively two days. Well... Back then, i did leave a message for them. In case they report to the police or otherwise.

Times have changed... Back then, i was a young kid. Nothing to be responsible for, nothing to fight for, nothing to work hard for. All i had was time, freedom and my friends. How i miss those days...

Whoa... It's one month since last post!!

I just realise i had a blog myself. Guess i have been too busy with stuff and such that i simply forgotten to update this online diary of mine. Alright, shall keep make this post simple and summarise what i have done in the past week.

Nov 9th - Nov 15th
Came home on a early flight and went out for dinner with my parents. Had quite a nice dinner as it was quite a long time since i had good food. Muahahaha... Also met up with friends to catch up. Had dinner together and lots of chatting again.

Nov 16th - Nov 21st
It was another week of hectic meet ups. Met up with my gang of friends from Melbourne for dinner, had crab which i missed pretty badly. Also a small meeting up with my old friends from my internship days. It has been quite a long time since we last met, the last round when i was back, i didn't had time to meet them so i was glad to meet them and find all of them doing very well in life. On the 21st, it was my trip to Sydney on the A380. More in the next paragraph.

Nov 22 - Nov 29th
I was in Sydney. The plane ride was amazing. Best flight experience ever. The size of the seats, the quality of the food and the ambience... It was something that set the bar higher. I've taken business class before but this is waaaaay beyond that level. Enjoyed myself while in Sydney and met up with a friend which i have not met since 2003. 5 years can really make a lot of difference. And the weekends of the week was spent shopping at the IT sale. Didn't buy alot but i did buy what i needed.

Nov 30 - Dec 7th
Nothing much happened this week but it was more of recuperating from all that travelling. Had an offer for internship which i rejected. Yea... I know, dumb choice but i believe that work can always come later, family, friends and loved ones always come first. Yesterday and today was out and about. And this weekend is gonna be a rush of events for me again. Wedding dinner and the standard chartered marathon. If i survive and live through the marathon, i will make sure i post online again. Else check for my news on the papers!! Hahaha...

Everything is Over!!

Finally... I've survived through the past two weeks. Had very little sleep everyday. Living on Redbull and coffee diet most of the time. Plus all those addicitive Red Rock Deli Chips. Now i'm coming back and i've planned so much stuff to do. Hopefully, everything goes as planned.

Can't wait to see all my friends back in SG.