With Love from 上海

On the City Harvest Probe

2010-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: In this post of the blog, I am giving my humble opinions and do not represent any side of the probe. As much as possible, I would stand on a neutral position to criticize from my point of view and it does not represent any factual analysis without any proper evidence. This post is meant to be read with an open mind and not to be use as evidence for or against any denomination or media purposes.

After reading the few days of newspapers and many post on facebook and twitter, I feel that people tend to take things too seriously when things are suspicious without evidence. When a company expands itself into the marketplace and make it's name, there can be competitors who want to bring down the company name. This is even more so for a Christian denomination where even so there is a different in beliefs of Catholics and Christianity.

Now people tend to say that Christianity brainwashes people in the mindset to worship God and be Godly minded. The church don't brainwash people, but it is the people who allow their mind to be "brainwashed". I notice there are a few individual in the church (not particularly city harvest) who tend to be different from their peers. It doesn't mean that they don't love God, but just that they have a set of philosophies to follow in such a way which is different from other people. That's where we are able to have a diverse talent pool.

Now we have specific reporters who cover about the city harvest probe and sometimes they tend to give a one-sided view. They are humans with emotions to, we can't blame them for that, but it happens that some people were blindly "brainwashed" by the news which is based on one person's point of view.

I just saw this facebook group which is called "We believe City Harvest church is framed and maligned!!" I mean wth... why bother so much? If you stay true to God, I believe God will ensure everything is alright. Why must the people keep complaining such that they are taking revenge on the media. Just understand that there is no prove to that and they may not be true. If they have so much free time, they should just go and concentrate on the time and effort to help those people in need, isn't that what charity organisations are for?

So who is the one who lodge the complain? Seriously I can't be bothered, but for rambling sake, there may be at least 2 sources. 1st: from the people who hate city harvest. 2nd: from the people in city harvest. Why is the 2nd possible too? This leads to an advance conspiracy theory. People in the church may just be asked to complain and show that the record is clean and the church will prove that through this probe, they'll unite their people and grow even stronger. Ok I'm really talking rubbish here. No proof no talk.

I just want the city harvester to know that there is no point framing the media for their wrong doings. They were just doing their job (but maybe not well enough). To become a big congregation, there is a lot of problems such as this to be faced.

Look at Reverend Ming Yi, I think he is cooperating fully with the investigation team despite the fact that he is going to jail also. Maybe his signature were just used and maybe he dunno how to do business that's why another person has to help me and landed him in jail. (no idea what happened also).

I predict that through the many incidents, new laws will be proposed to counter this such incident and the ministers may look into them. This is to ensure less of the scrutiny of the charitable organisation so that there will be less inspection to withhold them from their charitable operations. Look at this with an open mind and don't limit your mind to the reporters point of view. If you believe that there are no evidence, don't even bother about that. We need evidence to make a conclusion.

Nodame Cantabile movie is coming out

2010-02-25T05:56:00.000-08:00

I can't wait... I miss my piano also. Think I'm going to practise Chopin pieces now.

2010-02-06T12:30:00.001-08:00

Twitter and Facebook SMS Updates

财神爷 @ Jurong Point

2010-02-01T02:26:00.000-08:00

So everyone following 财神爷 to get money. He is a guy who I will not want to follow this chinese new year cos I'll be 裁

RAWR!!!!!! the end of exams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-04T05:49:00.000-08:00

read only if you have finished your exams

Today I SHALL DECLARE THE END OF MY EXAMS (for this semester).
Finally I can shout this out loud and do a personal celebration by saying the end of the shit and the start of a new chapter.

it is,
the end of record 26 AUs
the end of 7 modules
the end of staying fat
the end of jiayou after battling through my petroleum refinery module
the end of thinking about demoralise results
the end of feeling like stabbing people
the end of feeling peer pressure
the end of doing paper that will stunned you
the end of people studying so hard and saying that they didn't study
the end of me studying so hard but still don't produce result
the end of people complaining about how difficult the exam is
the end of people suaning you about the answer you get wrong in exam
the end of cramming before the exam and suaning others that were not cramming
the end of mugging in school everyday
the end of people trying to outsmart you
the end of people keeping secrets to themselves
the end of autovoice system fails in exam
the end of saddist professor keep shocking you during lecture about surprise quiz where it doesn't exists
the end of telling people that surprise quiz is a fake watching them studying so hard for it
the end of professor walking around the exam hall sniggering at you dunno how to do the paper
the end of people having fun while you are still studying
the end of late night work till 2am and still unfinished
the end of projects in school everyday with no time to do my music essay
the end of ending classes at 1930
the end of saying you are too busy

but, it is
the start of holidays
the start of christmas spirit
the start of life
the start of FYP
the start of playing piano and trumpet again
the start of doing more useful things
the start of finding job again
the start of celebrating with the exam-finished gang
the start of not worrying about work
the start of a healthy lifestyle by sleeping early
the start of packing up room
the start of celebration
the start of more soccer and running

Who to pick as your insurance agent?

2009-11-25T07:11:00.001-08:00

During my university days, I have friends who work as part time insurance agent, telling me about insurance plan and such. However, without financial power, I couldn't make the decision. I predicted that I will get insurance plan after graduation. The market is so open nowadays and I can find many more insurance agent outside of school.

Below are some of my comments for the two types of insurance agent which is mentioned above.

Senior Insurance Agent: more experience in selling insurance, but their motive is just to make a good deal to earn comission

Friend as Insurance Agent: less experience in selling insurance, but they are committed to you by giving you the best plan. Their main motive is to see you become rich, secondary motive is to earn money.

In the case of money loss, an experience agent may just run away, but there is a better chance that he'll explain the company's problem and be committed to retrieve the money back to you.

I have not decided which one to pick but I'll be blogging about friend as an insurance agent in my next blog.

Blog not updated

2009-11-18T21:50:00.001-08:00

Exam period is near. I've been studying so hard until I almost forgotten about my own blog so here it is. I was testing my friend about a simple music quiz that I created, but after two questions, I'm out of questions.

Anyone have any ideas on topics you would want me to discuss about, please tag on the tagboard. Then at least I know there are activities of audience on my blog. Thanks.

My Dabu Trip Publication

2009-11-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

In this 45th issue of Char Yong Voice, my essay is posted. Read it below.

Page 36

Page 37

TGIF? No, it's Friday the thirteen.

2009-11-13T04:53:00.001-08:00

Yes unlucky day on my health. The cold weather has made my nose run non-stop since the early morning. With this reason, I couldn't wake up. I went to school at 1pm to take my lunch and studied while SK-II finished up the term paper. All credit goes to him as I have not touch it due to my music essays. I only did a little referencing with the skills I acquire from writing my music essay.

After napping and completing one tutorial, I went to watch the latest episode of survivor. That episode was one of the most exciting episode among all that I watch. I shall not be spoiler to share what it is about. Go see yourself.

Official studies begins

2009-11-12T06:47:00.001-08:00

4 more papers to go. Official studies with good breakfast. Redid 2 satety tutorials with 2 more to go. I hope I'll catch up soon, especially over the weekends.

Photos upload from the past

2009-11-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

My studies on Scarlatti. Admiring the photo of Scarlatti, with the Sonata score on the laptop and my essay on the desktop. My photocopied notes on the table.

My achievement today for waking up in time for the breakfast set which I had missed for very very long.

I'm Officially Music Minor

2009-11-11T22:51:00.001-08:00

After the grueling test with peer pressure writing essays for Dr. Eugene, I'm officially music minor now. Didn't use much of the notes though cos I just want to write relevant stuff. Too bad for me for forgetting about fugue structures but who cares...

Let's not keep talking about the listening test as I can't change much. Plan about the future. Yes, now I can officially start studying. Time to study away my bad results in design. Hopefully I'll get a B+ to maintain my GPA or apply for masters. Tonight I'll try to sleep early to attempt for the can 2 breakfast set again.

And also I probably need to create the facebook group to keep in touch with all my friends.

An afternoon in NUS

2009-11-10T04:19:00.001-08:00

Why am I in NUS when I am a NTU student? this is because I was there to return books which I've borrowed using my brother's Matric card. He forgot to bring the book out so I have to do the job.

It was an interesting lunch meet up with my old time GIP friend Marcus reminding ourselves on how we missed Shanghai.

The whole afternoon has been spent on finalizing my essay which will be submitted tomorrow after a second review from my professor. I hope I get his points correct despite the word limit being exceeded.

Now going back to NTU for dinner and doing up my notes for tomorrow's test. I'm not hoping to use the notes tomorrow, but I am hoping that I can get my points and reasoning across and obtain good credits in my reasoning. It is like a very mysterious exam where it is based on one's own effort instead of the more interesting discussion which we had in class.

Random Ramblings

2009-11-09T10:39:00.001-08:00

I just downloaded text+ for iPod. Any iPod users want to try? I am also going to try it with my friends in USA.

Even with so much effort in the essay, I still have a lot of things to touch up on. I just hope I can get A for the module to make up on my horrible unfair design project.

People have started studying and I still cramming essays and preparing for listening test.

Now I'm trying to sleep in order to wake up early for school tomorrow.

Interview No. 1: Exxon Mobil

2009-11-06T05:15:00.001-08:00

What went well:

Reached early for the interview.
Followed instructions to bring photocopied documents.
Did brief research about the company.
Quote simple examples in order to explain things to them.
Explained my role as a logistic officer and a quarter master.

What went wrong:
Did not review on my coverletter and resume.
Turn up just on time sweating after walking up a long way to the in accessible place.
Nervously set in during the interview where I kept saying the word "actually" but it wasn't necessary.
When I was being questioned about NS, I got nothing to offer to them, but I tried to explain what I have learnt from the experience.
Didn't commend about the high quality of ethics and safety of exxonmobil.
Fail to capitalise on my passion for my CCA.
After my long winded talking, I actually forgotten their names and tried to look down on the table where their names were displayed.

Nevertheless, this is an experience which I have to go through and I hope I will get into the second round where I can make myself more valuable to the company. Learn from mistakes and improve on them.

Procedures of doing a composition project

2009-11-05T05:41:00.001-08:00

This is quite late for some people, however, I would still like to teach the main public about what i've learnt during my composition project on Orchestration and Arrangement module.

PROPOSAL

Come out with a simple plan. Do note about the number and types of instrumentation. Also take note of their virtuosity. If they can't play professionally, don't compose something too difficult.

In my case, I composed for an amateur band taking in mind that I would only want 1 practice to complete everything. Due to my insufficient knowledge about percussion ability, I only used 4 percussion instruments. Therefore, I keep my piece simple is as little sharp or flat as possible.

Please also note the instrument ability like a trumpet cannot slide like a trombone. If you are unsure, please ask and ask and ask. The player will know best about their instrument ability.

COMPOSING

You can possibly come out with different sections of the music if you want. A contrast in style will be nice. Compose within the players limit. I remember replying to one of my friend that my comfortable range on the trumpet is from low G to high G, however the technical range is from low F sharp to high high C.

Do discuss your rehearsal schedule with your players.

REHEARSHING

Come out with a lesson plan. Tell your players about it. Make sure you tell them your ending time so that they can avail themselves to you. Learn basic conducting in order to organize them during rehearsal.

Do general warm up and tuning with them. Learn from the players, the know it best. Especially if you are a guest conductor for the band who is already well together, ask them for advice. They know what is best for them. If they don't answer then you get them to follow what you have learnt.

My schedule for rehearsal.

1100 band arrive, individual warm up
1115 tuning and general warm up
1130 rehearse the piece section by section
1200 take five
1205 do some touch up
1215 record
1230 closing brief

This was my plan which I have in mind as everyone has a tight schedule. Do not delay too much as your players have their own schedule. This is how you show respect to your players.

RECORDING

If there are minor mistakes in the piece, just go on. This instruction have to be brief to the players before recording. Just make sure they come in at the right measure after the mistake.

Mistakes will occur no matter how many times you record.

I recorded once after rehearsal so it is like a live recording. Many mistakes were there due to lack of practice as I only cater one practice for it.

Even many of the members told me about the mistakes, but I explain to them that mistakes do happen even in concert. However I still praise them on their good performance in sight-reading.

POST RECORING

I check the music recorded is ok. Then I negotiate with them for the appreciation treat which will work well within my budget.

I treated my players beverages for their lunch. But in addition, I will continue to help NTUSB in whatever form of help that I can offer.

I hope you can get something out of this procedure. This are just guidelines and it will vary among different people. If you have any questions, leave them on the tagboard and I will answer to them.

Sonata Form

2009-10-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

I have never study music so intensive in my life before. Now it has come to use my rusty brain to churn out one more essay and here are 4 of the books which I borrowed to read to do my essay. Shag... never thought I will read so much in my life

Quick back to reading.

Trumpet Masterclass my the New York Philharmonic Principal Trumpeter

2009-10-20T18:50:00.001-07:00

Taking a break from projects I rushed down from NTU to Yong Siew Toh to attend a trumpet masterclass.

After listening to the masterclass I find his teaching the trumpeters to play in a very orchestra character. By default the players were more or less seasoned to play trumpet in an orchestra.

I find some of his teaching which presents the virtuosity of the trumpeter very irrelevant to band like changing the colour of how the trumpet sounds, but the understanding of the music will date back to the history of classical music on how Hummel wants to present it.

I need to play more like an orchestra trumpeter rather than a band trumpeter. The sound that an orchestra trumpet makes is much more vibrant and intersting.

For now, I on my way back to NTU to continue the boring project. Sianz.

2009-10-18T08:41:00.001-07:00

Today is a great day for my girlfriend and me as we went out to botanical garden and watch the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet.

First and foremost, I have finished my Bach essay. An achievement for me as I hate reading books, take reference and interpret it. Which means I now need to prepare for my next essay about classical music. Most probably I'll do the one on Sonata form as I have more things to write and finding information is easier.

Reviews about NYPO brass quintet. The brass quintet is played by 5 of the brass principal player. Unlike the band, the like to blast their instruments, but when they blast, it is well controlled and nice. The horn and trombone can even imitate the saxophone sound in the jazz music. They played a wide selections of music to cater to the audience. Every instrument even shows off a bit of their virtuosity during the performance. As a trumpeter, I realize that the trumpet players actually carries a a B flat trumpet and a C trumpet on stage other than the piccolo trumpet and the flugelhorn. Why is it so? Is it due to the tone quality of the instrument or is it about the transposibility of the instruments?

It was a fun time at botanical garden but it was rather inaccessible to Orchard Road as I couldn't find a bus stop nearby. Not knowing whether tha SIA hop on was free or not, we walked all the way along Nassim Road to Orchard road and took a bus to the glass house in order to savour my long awaited Fish & Co since I returned from Shanghai.

In fact, that was the first time which my girlfriend came to an outing with my bandmates. Though not well planned, we still have great fun talking together.

My mobile music editing studio

2009-10-15T03:32:00.001-07:00

My mobile music editing studio when i was doing a basic recording last saturday.

Teachers are the Most Respected People

2009-10-15T00:29:00.001-07:00

If you have heard what I said during this week about the public sector networking event, putting teaching as a second class job is not what I meant. What I want to say is that with the grade that I am having, I will not have any long term prospect in public service sector.

Especially to all the NIE students which I am doing my music elective with, you guys are the people who make my 4 years in University worthwhie.

Blog Writer Lite for Ipod Touch

2009-10-13T12:46:00.001-07:00

Hopefully this will allow me to blog a lot more. To those people who are still reading my blog, I am still surviving.

Singapore Stand on Racism?

2009-09-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

Think about this:

When a Singaporean tries to talk racist informally, we treat it as a joke.
When a Singaporean tries to talk racist formally, it is a crime.
However, the Singaporean will apologise for his wrong doing and call himself a joke.
People around him will accept his apology and forgive him.

This is what I like about Singapore. Being tolerant on each race and religion and try to cohabit with one another not only peacefully but happily. Every year, my malay neighbour will always give goodies to my family during Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year and we always chit chat with each other.

The greater challenge is not us but are the foreigners to learn how to tolerate our jokes. They come to Singapore and sometimes will feel slightly offended by us for cracking racist joke, but they meant to be a joke and we never take that seriously. We got to do our part and educate the foreigners on our culture and the foreigners must in return learn to be openminded to learn and accept our culture.

However, I'm still afraid that stereotyping is a unconscious state of mind and it is unavoidable, but we do our very best to be equal to everyone no matter what colour they are and we make sure we really show our effort in promoting racial and religious harmony. So if someone ask me what religion I am, I will tell them that I don't care about my religion. I give great amount of respect to all religions whether they are cult or not. I also learn about the ways of many religions and appreciate the peace that the devotees received in their religion.

Taking down the Drakonica

2009-09-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

The workers taking down the exhibition of the Drakonica which won the most popular Chingay Boat in 2009.

Singapore Randoms

2009-09-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Chinese Garden Pagoda

Kallang Leisure Park in the morning

Slow shuttle speed of the bus stop outside Kallang MRT

Sunset from view at Katong

Kallang River

More photos on:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=296405&id=599315552&I=8a308d7722

National Day Preview

2009-09-13T09:36:00.001-07:00

Singapore Flyer

Celebrating National Day

The Singapore Flag flying over the Marina Bay

Fireworks during the National Day Parade preview

Integrated Resort under construction at night

More on
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=292232&id=599315552&l=efdf18340e
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=296014&id=599315552&l=70c0eb73fc

Two more set of photos to upload ot my blog

2009-08-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, there is one last set of photos to upload to my blog and one more to my facebook. The photos will be cool I took it using a borrowed DSLR camera, but I don't think I'm skillful enough.

These few days I've been rushing my music composition and I will get kind of sick with music at times. With assignments piling up, I really want to have more time. (Perhaps commit less facebook time which I got addicted in Shanghai...hehe)

More assignments and FYP coming up. I need more time to put in more effort in them.

2009-08-27T05:55:00.000-07:00

The wall of forbidden city

View of the whole forbidden city

Flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen square. We woke up at 3am just to watch it.

The great wall of China

Closer view of the structure of the great wall of China. This is taken during the hike from simatai to jinshanlin section of the great wall. 4hrs walk.

More photos @
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=285862&id=599315552&l=c89dd055a0
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=285948&id=599315552&l=bba27869e6
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=286309&id=599315552&l=734726bd8e

大埔，Dabu

2009-08-12T00:59:00.000-07:00

Entrance to dabu 大埔

taianlou, 泰安楼

inside taianlou

dabu city

My ancestor

For more photos visit
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=283205&id=599315552&l=019bdf633b
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=283779&id=599315552&l=f3362b6409

厦门, Xiamen

2009-08-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

Boardwalk by the beach.

Wedding shots by the beach.

Thank grandaunt and family for their hospitality

Foreign houses in gulangyu, 鼓浪屿

Food glorious food.

More photos on

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=283068&id=599315552&l=314d367449

Something wrong with blogger script

2009-08-09T07:39:00.001-07:00

Because of things of hacking facebook and twitter, I think my blogger is also affected, therefore I am currently not able to put up my remaining China photos. Follow me on twitter @Mozart1.

Something wrong with blogger script

2009-08-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

Because of things of hacking facebook and twitter, I think my blogger is also affected, therefore I am currently not able to put up my remaining China photos. Follow me on twitter @Mozart1.

smsYO

2009-07-30T02:33:00.000-07:00

Try this new tweeting SMS. Available in Singapore and Malaysia. You can also use this to update your facebook status.

Singapore Social Network Updates

Sorry for not updating my blog, I'm still moody over my spoiled hard disk.

黄山，huangshan

2009-07-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

A sea of clouds

This is how high I was

A ray of light - 一线天

morning sunrise again

Valley

More photos on
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=277871&id=599315552&l=0071466371
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=282192&id=599315552&l=f1e239b652

青岛, Qingdao

2009-07-14T04:32:00.000-07:00

1 Can of TsingTao

Qingdao Protestant Church

Sunshining on the Sea

Musical notes on the floor

Qingdao Catholic Church

For more photos, please visit my facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=277013&id=599315552&l=a7379dd49f
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=277759&id=599315552&l=f7b6b8c023

桂林, Guilin

2009-07-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hills between the city

Elephant Trunk's Hill, does it look like an Elephant

Gold and Silver Pagoda

Rice field with hills behind

Pit Stop of the Amazing race

For more photos please visit my facebook album @
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=275158&id=599315552&l=b25282f587
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=275667&id=599315552&l=885e4e809e
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=277002&id=599315552&l=0495b2afd1

杭州, hangzhou

2009-06-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

苏堤, su di

雷锋塔, leifeng tower

西湖, west lake

飞来峰, feilaifeng

Looking at scenery

For more photos please visit these 2 websites
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=274344&id=599315552&l=4676a40724
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=274654&id=599315552&l=812190f78e

滨江大道日落, bing jiang da dao sunset

2009-06-24T02:53:00.000-07:00

Well well, so long for not blogging because I'm rushing my assignment and IA report. Now here is what I have been up to. Firstly, 5 photos of the sunset in Shanghai.

Before Sunset

The Beach

The sunset

After Sunset

Lights on

Birthday Wishlist

2009-06-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

Ipod touch IT show is here
Mountain bike, 15 or 18 gear. I prefer 18 gear one
Sling bag

Sphalling Phail

2009-06-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

I dunno why I have been working so hard for what? I sacrifice so much things just to find out that I can achieve any stuff. Even God is not there to help me everytime that I pray. I wonder if God is really making use of his opportunity or not. Since before coming to China, I have been praying for my scholarship to happen, however it never comes true. I got rejected and so I can't make an impact for the people in China. If I was given the money, sgd$1000 would have been gone to charity organisation rather then going to the pockets of those who have no hearts in doing community service.

Another instance I requested help from church members to help me find info for my chinese essay. 3 out of 3 cases, no one replied to me and I feel very lost for words, not knowing how to make a breakthrough into China. My opportunity window is getting smaller and smaller and there is not much time left. I hope there is someone there praying for me and is willing to help me in my walk with God.

I am utterly disappointed with myself for not being able to do what God wants everyone to do, even after all those long hours of sacrifices before coming to China. I even sacrifice buying a new laptop even though my old laptop is causing me problems now. For years I suffered and have not been able to make a difference to the lives of the people.

Block block block

2009-06-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

After so many of china blocking, it is time to work on ways to access blog sites. First and foremost, I would like to apologise to my friends for not updating as I'm very busy during this period. I got a very tough chinese essay to write. Please understand that. Now that I have finish, I shall try to blog more often.

Accessing youtube has been a problem to me. However, with too much restrictions and the power of google, I manage to find a way to reroute myself to youtube, even in China. www.youtubeproxy.org. However, I must warn first, make sure you have a powerful enuff virus scan like mcafee or norton updated version cos ads will pop up. If not don't access the site at all. This will also help me to do my blogging other places too.

I'll try to upload my photos more often too. Too much work and no time and no bandwidth to upload photos at night. All the unuploaded photos are coming up. Please be patient and do catch-up with me.

Blue screen error

2009-05-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

I just kena the blue screen error and now updating my files since last night. Haven't been sleeping well and I still want to go for trip this weekend. Hopefully things will turn out better soon.

Add an s to hotel to become hostel

2009-05-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

After travelling for so long I have never consider the cheaper accomodation called Hostel. Why didn't I think of that. Cos I feel that Hostel has provided me with all that I need + I get to meet people from other country, though I dunno how to interact well. It'll be a plus if I get to follow them and help them in China. So I'm planning for a solo Beijing trip very soon.

Visit the international hostel website
http://www.hostelworld.com/

Enjoy

2009-04-30T01:49:00.000-07:00

It's a boring day where nobody is around in office. I tried to dota again but I still at noob level. No one teach me dota and I dunno how to buy items. Sucks man.

2009-04-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have finally solve my youtube problem. I need to relogin the virtual private network so that I can access youtube videos. Internet is still slow as usual. That's one thing that I miss about Singapore. Next week I will be meeting some people in my department for the first time. This is because they just returned overseas. It has been 2 months here and I'm having fun working.

5 photos for this week

2009-04-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

Above are some of the nice scenery shot that is taken in China. For more photos, visit the links below.

古猗园 guyiyuan
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248057&id=599315552&l=b62c08219c
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248076&id=599315552&l=0397ae9d7e

七宝古镇 qibaoguzhen
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248069&id=599315552&l=a6af74b941
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248076&id=599315552&l=0397ae9d7e

1st email posting on blogger

2009-04-17T22:39:00.001-07:00

It is so interesting the blogger comes out with this new style of blogging. Therefore I am testing this out to see how it goes.

Get your new Email address!
Grab the Email name you've always wanted before someone else does!
http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/sg/

4 photos for this week

2009-04-16T23:16:00.000-07:00

During our economics lesson (中国经济改革与发展策略), our professor told us about how during the communist period the people used coupon to exchange for food. These coupons were there to ensure that everyone has only a limited amount of food they can get.

Scenery of 东昌路

This week shopping

2009-04-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

This week I went to the outlet store in Shanghai. The things are cheaper than Singapore, but according to what I am receiving, it is not really cheap there. In addition the place is quite far away from the city also.

I went there and purchase a li-ning T-shirt for 65RMB. So this makes it 1 T-shirt down.

In addition I also went to Decathlon to research for a small haversack. The haversack cost 179RMB. Thinking of getting it to train my adventure.

I would like to apologise about my blog dated 5th March 2009 that I've been too harsh on my money saving aspect. However, now with less restriction, I still want to do enuff research to save more money to buy other stuffs. So please do look into that.

Time to spend on clothings

2009-04-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

As the spring draw near, I need to buy a new T-shirt or polo T to wear. My budget is below 100RMB, but definitely, the cheaper the better. Uniqlo selling new T-shirt for 79 each. So probably next week I will get one.

5 photos for today

2009-04-09T23:59:00.001-07:00

方塔园 fang ta yuan

桃花源 taohuayuan

狮子林 Lion Grove

醉白池 zuibaichi

Shanghai Huge Grace Disabled Children Welfare Centre

back to blogging with plenty of photos

2009-04-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

A conversation between God and man

2009-03-27T20:19:00.001-07:00

Tech Support: Yes, how can I help you?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer:Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready- What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open y our Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now.
Is it okay to install Love while they are running?

Tech Support: What programs are running ?

Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

Tech Support: No problem. Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, ' Error - Program not run on external components' What should I do?

Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart.
In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should I do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.

Customer: Okay, done.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the 'My Heart' directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

Customer: Thank you, God.

God/Tech Support: You're Welcome, Anytime.

This blog was found from Daniel Li's blog. Click on the title to go to the source. I find this conversation interesting. Enjoy reading it.

Suzhou trip this weekend

2009-03-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

Blog readers, i'll be going 2 苏州 This sunday for a 1 day trip. I can only upload photos on saturday in school as the connection here is more stable. So just check my blog every saturday. See ya.

Shopping list

2009-03-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

Urgent items:
black socks
earphones
1 T-shirt

Non urgent items:
MP5 player
4 T-shirts
Bag
laptop to tv wire

As usual, lazy to update.

2009-03-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

Today is the sunday, 22nd March 2009. I just played soccer in the cold weather today and I need to have more rest. Sometimes I wonder what else to explore because shanghai is more of a shopping area. I think i'll rest at home today and take more photos next week in suzhou. And the following week I'm going to hangzhou. Please check it out of the next 2 weeks as nice photos will be put up.

Below are the photos for the march edition.

福州路 The pirate book shop. Can find cheap english books inside but no variety

Mickey Mouse spotted at Longyang station.

Isn't this suppose to be a rubbish bin. Now it is being treed with satay sticks.

A weird picture for sewage water. Notice the fish that comes in and out of the sewage water.

静安寺. This is a temple.

Survival on poverty

2009-03-05T07:02:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what is cheap? I've learnt to clarify my meaning of cheapness in Shanghai. People keep telling me that things in Shanghai are cheap. However, I tried to compare with my daily life in Singapore. I have been spending more than I should. Here is the story:

1 day in Singapore:

Breakfast: home bread
Lunch: This is the most tricky part
I try to find the cheapest food in food court, or just live with S$2 nasi lemak set or S$2 chicken rice.
Dinner: I try to eat at home or 'home'.

Therfore daily expenses a day is probably around S$4+take transport so probably around S$7. Damn sad right? Lol

Now I'm in shanghai. Assuming I have no income now, I spend around 25 yuan on a meal + 8 yuan on transport that will make up to 33 yuan.

Look at the currency exchange rate on www.xe.com it's around 1SGD = 4.40725 yuan now (pathetic rate to draw from cirrus and plus)

The maths gives SGD7.48766237

The difference is S$0.48766237

So we take the difference times dunno how many days.... you'll lose a lot of money. Then I'll be spending more than when I'm in singapore. And evenworse, my income is low.

So what is cheap. Most people whom I know define cheap as cheaper than Singapore. Average person spend around $5 per meal (including drinks). So therefore if they see a shop with approx 20yuan, they define it as cheap.

As for me, cheap means fit within a budget. As for me, cheap is below 15yuan. So please do not compare. If those of you who are richer thinks that 1 or 2 yuan is no issue, then just give it to me. Cos 1 or 2 yuan multiply by the number of times you think it is no issue can save me some meals.

Today I went to this small shop and I think it is the most fulfilling. I spend 6yuan on 辊吞粗米粉 and I feel it's just right for a meal. The reason why I'm doing this is because I want to save just a few dollars so that I can go out with friends and eat better food tomorrow. Hopefully I can last till end of march.

哈尔滨的照片

2009-02-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

So cold

Snow train sculpture

Ice Sculpture

饺子王

It was snowing

Check out more on my facebook
哈尔滨 1
哈尔滨 2
哈尔滨 3

Shanghai videos 2

2009-02-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

Up next is the haerbin photos.

Shanghai videos

2009-02-21T20:43:00.000-08:00

Fireworks outside my house

Wobbly 汤包

More videos coming up soon

Back in Shanghai

2009-02-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

Mudane IA has started as I returned to shanghai. I'm currently uploading my last year's Japan photos on facebook. Soon I'll upload the Shanghai photos before we go 哈尔滨. Then I'll upload the 哈尔滨 photos. Internet connection is very slow here, so it's best if someone would like to volunteer to help me if he/she wants to see the photos.

Harerbin 1st instalment

2009-02-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Here is the video of harerbin, the uploading of photos is damn slow here, so bear with it. Meanwhile, enjoy this video taken in Harerbin.

哈尔滨一日游 (1 day tour in Harerbin)

2009-02-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

I would like to rate today's tour as 5/10. Basically we went to this 龙塔 (Dragon Tower), St. Sophia Orthordox Church, 哈尔滨江上冰雪乐园(Harerbin Iced River), 太阳岛 (Sunny Island), 哈尔滨冰雪大世界 (Haerbin Ice World). I can't talk much now as I'm tired and I'm going to sleep. I'll tell you more about it when I get back to Shanghai in the evening today. So see you all guys. Good morning.

亚布力ski resort

2009-02-12T06:11:00.000-08:00

I'm not staying in 亚布力ski resort as I know that the price will be expensive. Instead we went there just to ski and have fun. We spent another 260 元 to rent the ski clothes and to luge. After that we went to have lunch and following that, we went to ski for 2hrs. The fee for the ski instructor is another 200 元/2hrs (terms and conditions apply), but I feel that there is no need to as I can teach my friends how to ski using my basic skiing knowledge in Korea. So we went up to challenge ourselves with a level 1 difficulty and it's really not easy. It was fast and fun and I've made a few falls though. After the ski we had a 3hrs bumpy ride back to our hotel. Today I'll rate the quality of the tour 3 out of 10. It's budget anyway so you'll pay what you get. I hope 2mr is better. I'll load lots of picture when I get back to Shanghai.

I have yet to watch 24 episode 8. I want to catch it the moment I return to Shanghai. haha. See you all then.

Believe it or not, Harerbin is a nice place for tourists

2009-02-11T06:41:00.000-08:00

As our plane landed in Harerbin, we all are off to a great trip in the cold winter weather. The moment we step out of the airport, we were greeted by tour guides who we have no idea it is plan for. Being a Singaporean and having a cautious mindset, some of us were suspecting that it is a scam or fake. However, I pointed out to my friends that they are officially a tour guide as they are wearing a lanyard with a licence on it. She took the 5 of us to our hotel in a mini-bus which is definitely much cheaper than 2 cabs. During the journey, she gave us a preview of Harerbin and trying to get us sign up for the tour package. What I like is how she break up the cost for us to show us why travelling with their tour package is much cheaper than going ourselves. Therefore we signed up for the tour packages and now our tour in Harerbin is planed for the next 2 days. So today we went out on the streets to look for places to it. The weather is cold and it is not easy to navigate around. Probably because of this cold weather, people will take cab more often, therefore it is hard to get a cab over here. The cabfare here is 8元 starting fare + a 1元 fuel surchage. It is 11元 in Shanghai. After walking a certain distance, we all agreed that the tour package have come in handy. So much of the tour around our hotel, it's time to have a early night and a great day of fun 2mr. I'll put up photos when I get back to Shanghai. See ya.

First Post

2009-02-10T07:39:00.001-08:00

Dear all,

Sorry for the lateness of setting up this blog as my wordpress is block by China that's why I can't access. Thank God that blogger.com is still working and I hope they won't block it. I'll post more photos when I return from Harerbin on 14th feb. For now just bear with it. If you have any comments, please write down on the tagboard. Thanks.

Sign Off,
JH