Schedule for House-Moving

• 25th..will invite goddess of mercy to the new place in the morning
• as planned....u (denyse) will help gr8lday to sprinkle salt n rice all over the house
• then u (denyse) n deryck will shift the table for goddess of mercy to the right spot
• daryn n me (dfasty) will invite goddess of mercy to the new place....
• i (dfasty) will drive..n daryn will cradle goddess of mercy ..n the urn n joss stick will be place in the basket..n ferry over
• when deryck finish the shifting..he shall start the fire for the stove...
• n to be placed in the centre of the hall
• n gr8lady will place a kettle of water to the boil
• on 27th n 28th..will be the eactual shifting dates
• where all furnishing will be brought over on those 2 days
• but i (dfasty) foresee one day will be good enough
• so guesss 27th will be good enough
• 28th 29th n 30th will do the unpacking
• n ready for NEW YEAR DAY 2009...
  
  **remember your responsibilities. changes may apply. watch this space. thanks!

Egyptian Symbols

Ankh (Key of Life, Key of the Nile):

The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol of eternal life. The gods are often seen holding an ankh to someone's lips this is considered to be an offering of "The Breath of Life". The breath you will need in the afterlife.

The horizontal and vertical bars of the lower tau cross represent the feminine and masculine energy, respectively. This combination of male and female symbols (the cross and circle) in the ankh suggest fertility and creative power. The top loop also symbolises the sun on the horizon, and suggests reincarnation and rebirth.

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Ba (Ba Bird):
In Kemetic (Egyptian) tradition, the Ba is the part of the human soul that remains with the body of the deceased. It is often depicted as a winged figure, the Ba-bird, which symbolizes the ascension of the soul after.

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Scarab:

Scarab beetles lay their eggs in dung, which they roll into a ball and roll into a hole. The Egyptians equated this with the movement of the sun and its daily resurrection. The opening and closing of the scarab's colorful wings symbolized night and day.

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Eye of Horus, Eye of Ra (Udjat, Wedjat):

Designed to resemble the eye of a falcon, this symbol is called the Eye of Ra or Eye of Horus represents the right eye of the Egyptian Falcon God Horus. As the udjat, it represented the sun, and was associated with the Sun God Ra (Re).

The mirror image, or left eye, represented the moon, and the God Tehuti (Thoth). According to legend, the left eye was torn from Horus by his murderous brother Seth, and magically restored by Thoth, the God of magick. After the restoration, some stories state, Horus made a gift of the eye to Osiris, which allowed this solar deity to rule the underworld. The story of this injury is probably an allusion to the phases of the moon as the eye which is "torn out" every month.

Together, the eyes represent the whole of the universe, a concept similar to that of the Taoist Yin-Yang symbol. Spiritually, the right eye reflects solar, masculine energy, as well as reason and mathematics. The left eye reflects fluid, feminine, lunar energy, and rules intuition and magick. Together, they represent the combined, transcendent power of Horus.

The Eye of Horus was believed to have healing and protective power, and it was used as a protective amulet.

*******************************************************

Wouldn't that make a nice tattoo, you reckon?

ooOoo Happy Halloweeeeen ooOoo

Halloween Facts from Wikipedia:

Halloween - All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening") as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day" aka All Saints' Day; where the boundary between the living and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops.

Now it is a holiday celebrated on October 31. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, ghost tours, bonfires, costume parties, visiting haunted attractions, carving jack-o-lanterns, reading scary stories, and watching horror movies.

Jack-O-Lantern - the carved pumpkin lit by a candle inside is one of Halloween's most prominent symbols. Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body, containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the "head" of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions.

The name jack-o'-lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard-drinking old farmer. He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him by carving a cross into the tree trunk. In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack, condemning him to forever wander the earth at night with the only light he had: a candle inside of a hollowed turnip. Many families that celebrate Halloween carve a pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their doorstep after dark.

Watch out who knocks on your door/window...
it's Trick or Treat time!!

Remember.....

- 1711? when we call and check the right timing

- Singtel use to be call Telecom

- M1 - everywhere under the sunshine

- use to be fascinated by the aquarium @ Wisma Atria and the rooftop playground

- Fandi is my name, Soccer is my game ............

WYD '2008 - Sydney

Welcome the Pope to Sydney for World Youth Day (week) 2008:The common gather-area is @ where they called the Barangaroo (ber-ran-ge-roo), which is not-so fortunately directly opposite my workplace. The main road that seperates my company & Barangaroo is closed for the whole week 24 Hrs. Makes it harder for me to catch a cab home, and I'll have to walk through the streets with many Jesus-lovers. Doin' cheers you'll hear during the World Cup...

I'm not out to offend anyone, absolutely nothing against the religion; in fact I'm at awe at the reglion's wide spread & popularity. But the magnitude of taxpayers' expense for this event to be broadcast in a 'good light' makes me alil' edgy. Pilgrims, they called themselves, are here with no need to spend on transport/accomodation/food. C'mon, of course they would say Sydney Australia is the best~ Who gives you free lodging, food & transport even closes roads & removing trees in the midst of the park for more at-ease walk-through-&-not-around theory. BUT @ the expense of pple whom can't walk through their front door because the road is closed for the Pope-mobile to drive through, that is just alittle waaaay over the top...

So, where's the media when you want them to report on news like this? Power, next to money, are all very important elements in this world.

This is the no. of pple that attended the event. 150,000 inside the Randwick Racecourse, and 100,000 outside and around Sydney. This is just massive!

I was just thinking.. 1st gather-point: across the wharf where Barangaroo is, you'll see Star City Casino; 2nd gather point: they are @ a Racecourse. Just seemed alil' weird to me.

Anyway, with them closing roads to Randwick means we can't go for our weekly grocery shopping and can't borrow videos for the weekend. Hungry Denise would become Angry Denise.

That's the end of my ranting... May peace be with you (and also with you)...

Btw, I heard the Vatican has almost 60 billion in resources to spend. With special purple marble floors and gold pillars and columns, that you can never get it anymore. Heard that some priests are excited to travel overseas to 'experience' the world. This case for Aussie, what you do here? Booze & Barbie, of course.

Comments for ERP rise

Few days ago, there was an article on Channelnewsasia.com with the minister commenting that easing up on congestion charging on roads will be detrimental to both motorists and businesses in the long run. That was the response for the recent rise in ERP charges and additional gantries around the country. To a certain extent, thats a fair enough statement but there are some comments he made that I feel that the TM is making a fool out of himself and not being professional

.

Here are some of the statements he made

.

"And on comments that evening ERP charging is taking a toll on family life, he said the alternative would be to get stuck in traffic and still end up getting home late." (source: channelnewsasia.com)

.

My response is: This is telling me that the govt is not giving the ppl any choice (not that it has ever).. either pay up or get stuck in traffic. the thing is, even with the increase, traffic will still be worse. and given the pressure and workload back home, workers are ending at 8pm and given thats a non-peak period, the hardworking souls still need to pay to get home and have a nice warm family dinner.

But I agree that there will be a increase sooner or later given the economy situation. But to make such a statement is just showing how "caring" the minister is.

.

I quote

"We have not taken the populist road. We have said if this is the right thing to do and the situation calls for it, we would do it and in the case of congestion charging, I know it's difficult, it's an unpopular measure, motorists who are affected are unhappy, but it is something that is necessary - something that we will do so as to ensure that Singaporeans continue to enjoy living in a city, in a garden, and not a city in a carpark!" The reality is that as cars try to avoid ERP, other roads get congested and more gantries are put up on arterial roads. So really there is no avoiding ERP." (source: channelnewsasia.com)

.

My comment is

.

1st of all, what a statement, "city in a garden, not a city in a carpark" HELLO! we dont care whether it is a garden or car park, we just want to get back HOME!.. garden is a term used for tourists and we already know the direction that we are in.. continue to impress the WORLD!

.

"Theres no avoiding ERP", once again, this shows how "tactful" our govt is..u either PAY UP and shut up or don't drive. don't avoid??, what an idiotic statement. (why dont we spend less on sponsoring overseas students and use that money to subsidise the drivers? don get me started on that topic!!)

WE wont be enjoying living in a garden that has a gantry at every entry and exit. Drivers avoid expressways and get into arterial roads because they rather be a little bit slower than to pay another 3 or 4 bucks. installling ERP gantries on arterial road until late is ridiculous.

We should become a walking country, thats where we will be taking a stroll in a garden! who knows, we may have still have to pay tax for using the footpaths. FART "Footpaths And Road Tax".

.

Anyway, public transport is the way to go.. thats what happening to every country. More public transport commuters, prices still increase, no. of trains and buses stay the same, still have to squeeze and "excuse me". and the ministers will have a non-congested road to travel on and park anywhere they like.

.

Anyway, my point is made, I'm like the average citizen, complaining about an increase in everyday expenses, but what disappoints me is the kind of Minister we have, who make silly statements, maybe he just doesnt have good enough advisors supporting him. disgraced to have the same surname as him.

How to make Lettuce look good?? Scrap it!!

Who can make Lettuce - Yes, Vegetables, look sooo gooooood???

~FELICIA~

On your next B&W challenge, I suggest you should do Michael Jackson!! Nahz... Kiddin'! Although you have done a couple B&W designs before, but we're still looking forward to your challenged B&W material. It won't be easy... But I'm sure if you can make Green look so good, B&W would be better!!

All the best on your Project Scrap-Away Competition.

For more details: http://www.scrap-n-cropcontest.blogspot.com/

CAN YOU READ THIS.....

According to the article, only 55 out of 100 people able to read this, and I am one of the 55 people (Grinnnnn)

Now dont even think about using Microsoft Words Spell Check or Webster.

Okay here goes, Read it now:

"fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno'tmtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit andlsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, butthe wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it."

TIPS ON FILLING PETROL IN YOUR VEHICLE

Woahhh..Family and Friends. I am back. Surprise!!!!! or Just OK he is back so what??...(haha)

Anyway I bring u good tiding on a very very interesting n important tips. I am sure u people will benefit n save a lot of money "big big money okay" in the long run lah of course. The saying in Bahasa Malaysia "Sikit sikit lama lama jadi Bukit". Translated as: "Little by little in the long run will be a mountain". At the present Global situation where all things starting from things alive to animated, the prices will be increasing on a minute to minute basis.

So here it goes, how to save money while filling your vehicle.

1. ONLY BUY OR FILL UP YOUR CAR OR BIKKIE IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN THE GROUND TEMPERATURE IS STILL COLD.
Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground, the denser the fuel, when it gets warmer petrol expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening.... your litre is not exactly a litre. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the petrol, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products play an important role. A 1degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

2. WHEN YOU'RE FILLING UP, DO NOT SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER OF THE NOZZLE TO A FAST MODE.
If you look, you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low,middle, and high. In slow mode, you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapours that are created, while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapour return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapour. Those vapours are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

3. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TIPS IS TO FILL UP WHEN YOUR TANK IS HALF FULL.
The reason for this is, the more fuel you have in your tank, the less air occupying its empty space. Petrol evaporates faster than you can imagine. Petroleum storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the petrol and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated, so that every litre is actually the exact amount.

4. ANOTHER REMINDER, IF THERE IS A FUEL TRUCK PUMPING INTO THE STORAGE TANKS, WHEN YOU STOP TO BUY, DO NOT FILL UP - most likely the petrol/diesel is being stirred up as the fuel is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope, this will help you get the maximum value for your money.


DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS! LET’S SHARE INFORMATION AND BENEFIT ALL, FOR THE BETTER OF MANKIND.

So thats it, Lets be happy and spread loves around.

LOVES TO ALL OF YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE. Muackkkkkkk...Muackkkkkkk...Muackkkk

News of Today

Above are Newslines for the past week.

Censor Board rates movies - G, PG, MA15, RA, etc. How do we rate news that is happening all over the world today?

Murder, Killing, Stabbing, Robbed, Attacked, Chopped, Drugged, Raped, Suicide-Bombing, Axed... Death seemed to the common word in local & global news.

Is this how the world is today? World made up of people, a world looked so weary.

• Is it something we are eating that is wrong?
• Is it the weather becoming too hot leading to aggression?
• Is it the media showing too much violence?
• Is it that parental guidance has no effect now?
• Is it the education system has a wrong focus?
• Is the law net too loose?
• Is it because we have nothing better to do, besides looking at computers all day that we decide to go on a violent-spree?
• Is it the poverty?
• Is it because we can't find the Love?
• Or is it just a simple way for those up above to clear-out & re-vamp the human race?

That's all for the News Headlines.

Correlation between Obesity & Hours of Sleep

Dear all,

This is an article I've read from SMH.com.au on Health & Lifestyle. Thought it might be interesting for a read.

People who sleep fewer than six hours a night - or more than nine - are more likely to be obese, according to a new US study that is one of the largest to show a link between irregular sleep and big bellies.

"The data is all coming together that short sleepers and long sleepers don't do so well," Kramer said.

The study is based on door-to-door surveys of 87,000 US adults from 2004 through 2006 conducted by the National Centre for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In another measure, nearly half of those who slept nine hours or more each night were physically inactive in their leisure time, which was worse even than the lightest sleepers and the proper sleepers. Many of those who sleep nine hours or more may have serious health problems that make exercise difficult.

Other studies have found inadequate sleep is tied to appetite-influencing hormone imbalances and a higher incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure, noted James Gangwisch, a respected Columbia University sleep researcher.

"We're getting to the point that they may start recommending getting enough sleep as a standard approach to weight loss and the prevention of obesity," said Gangwisch, who was not involved in the study.

For the full article: http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/obesity-linked-to-sleep/2008/05/13/1210444406503.html

Insight: US $20 Dollar Bill

1) Fold a US$20 bill in half...

2) Fold again, taking care to fold it exactly as below...

3) Fold the other end, exactly as before...

4) Now, simply turn it over...


What a coincidence! A simple geometric fold creates a catastrophic premonition printed on all US$20 bills!!! COINCIDENCE? YOU DECIDE

As if that wasn't enough, here is what you've seen...

Firstly The Pentagon on fire, then The Twin Towers:




And now.. Look at this!

TRIPLE COINCIDENCE ON A SIMPLE US$20 BILL


You know what gets even better?? 9 + 11 = $20!!
[September (9), 11th]

This is too interesting to ignore~


Do you believe in fate? destiny? an insight to prevailing life?

Moles on Faces

Moles and what they say about you??

The Chinese Almanac, also known as the Tung Shu, is commonly known as a book of auspicious and inauspicious dates, but there is so much more to the Tung Shu than that. It is a vast mine of information relating to astrology, codes and symbols, derived by the wise sages and philosophers of ancient China .. In this issue, we bring to you the secrets from the almanac regarding moles on your face and what they mean depending on which part of your face they appear.

First, check your face for any moles, and then look at the diagram above to identify the number(s) that are a closest match to the moles on your face. Usually, the moles only hold meaning for you if they are prominent and they are the only one. If your face if full of spots, acne or 'little' moles, they do not count. When you've ascertained which position corresponds to the mole on your face, look up the meanings listed by numbers below.

Position 1 to 3 As a child, you are somewhat rebellious and a free spirit. You have an innate creativity and work best when you are given a free hand. Generally, your superiors like your! avante garde approach to life. If you have a mole here, you are far better off in business and being your own boss rather than working for somebody. What is promising is that you have the luck to be your own boss.

Position 4 You are an impulsive person, often acting with a flamboyance that gives you charisma and a sparkling personality, but you can be difficult when there are too many opinions. You tend to be rather argumentative, but never to the point of holding grudges. This mole tends to give you an explosive temper and should you decide to remove it, you will find yourself becoming calmer and more at peace with the world.

Position 5 A mole above the eyebrow indicates that there is wealth luck in your life, but you will need to earn it and work harder than most people. All the income you make must be carefully kept as there are people who are jealous of you who might attempt to sweet talk you into parting with your wealth. Be wary of those who try to interest you in get-rich-quick schemes. If you have a mole here, it is advisable not to be too trusting of others. Follow your instincts and be cautious. And never allow other people to control your finances.

Position 6 A mole here indicates intelligence, creativity and skill as an artist. Your artistic talent can bring you wealth, fame and success.! It also indicates wealth luck, but this can only be fully realized if you follow your heart rather than stick to conventional means of making a living. Success will come if you are brave.

Position 7 Moles under the eyebrows indicate arguments within the extended family that cause you grief and unhappiness. This will affect your work and livelihood. It is advisable to settle any differences you have with your relatives if you want peace of mind to move ahead.

Position 8 This is not a very good posit! ion for a mole. Your financial position will constantly be under strai n because of a tendency to overspend. You also have a penchant for gambling. The only thing is you must know when to stop. Meanwhile, someone with a mole here has a tendency to flirt with members of the opposite sex as well as with the same sex. Better be a little discerning where you exert your charms, or you might get into trouble.

Position 9 This mole position suggests sexual and other problems. It is an unfortunate mole and you are well advised to get rid of it. It brings a litany of woes and a parade of problems.

Position 10 A mole here just under the nose indicates excellent descendants luck. You are surrounded by family at all times and will have many children and grandchildren. You have the support of those close to you and will be both materially and emotionally fulfilled.

[This one is for my Pap!! Haa!]

Position 11 Moles here suggest a tendency to succumb to illness. It is a good idea to have this mole removed especially if it is a large, dark-coloured mole. Otherwise use lots of foundation to cover it.

Position 12 A mole here foretells a successful but also a very balanced life. You are likely to be not just rich, but famous as well. But although you have every opportunity to live the high life, you will have a satisfying home and family life as well. Women with moles here are particularly lucky and tend to be beautiful and glamorous as well.

Position 13 Your children will be a big worry in your life. Your relationship with them is not good. There is nothing much you can do about this except to learn some tolerance.

Position 14 A mole here suggests a vulnerability to food which ! can be a big problem in your life. You may have allergies against certain foods or you may simply be eating too much.

Position 15 You are a person always on the move and constantly renovating and redesigning your house. You like to be introduced to new things and see new places. You are not happy if you remain in one place for long. You enjoy travel and adventure, and have a very observant eye.

Position 16 You need to be careful when it comes to eating, and also when it comes to your sex life. These! are your two biggest problems. You tend to have weight issues which c an make you depressed. You enjoy romance, sometimes with more than one person, but because you are a person with some morality, you will feel guilty about it and this will cause you much stress.

Position 17 You will be someone of great social prominence. You are active on the social scene and an excellent conversationalist. There is a tendency to become bigheaded about your success, which could lose you your good name. This will affect you deeply because you draw your confidence and self worth from what others think of you.

Position 18 You are a person always on the move. There is a great deal of overseas travel in your life, but you should take extra care each time you cross the great waters, as your mole prefers you to stay at home.

Position 19 You have money luck and many good friends, so this is a good mole to have. Your weakness is that you tend to succumb to the charms of the opposite sex. In your life, it is this that could get you into hot water, so do cool your ardour!

Position 20 A mole here can be very lucky or very unlucky. If you have a mole here, yo u are destined either for extreme fame or infamy. You have great flair for creativity and are also highly intelligent, but your talents can be used for both good and bad. You are not a person to be trifled with for you are no pushover and do not forgive and forget easily. This mole is a mark of someone who will go down in history either as a great or as a tyrant.

Position 21 This is a good mole, as it suggests plenty to eat and drink throughout your life. This mole also brings fame and recognition.

Position 22 Your life is always happy and things go smoothly for you. You could well become a sports superstar if you have the passion for it. Moles at the end of eyebrows also suggest a person of authority and power, so if you are the CEO of a company, you will do very well.

Position 23 You have a high IQ, and you are both brain smart and street smart. You have a highly-developed survival instinct and will lead a meaningful and long life. You will be active until a very old age and will have friends and family around you till the very end.

Position 24 You will achieve fame and fortune in your young age and you are advised to use this period to safeguard your old age, as people with moles here tend to have a harder life as they get older.

Position 25 You will enjoy good prosperity and recognition luck, but do be careful of excesses. Stay traditional in your attitudes and you will have a long and fruitful life.

So.... what does your Moles say about you...?? *smiles*

Build To Impress

The Flyer
Universal Studios
A380
5 terminals
Casinos > IR....
Marina South development
F1 night race
Youth Olympics

As much as I'm proud of these achievements as a Singaporean, it did make me wonder what is the purpose of winning and building these projects.

To generate tourism? definitely!
To boast our strength as a nation? To impress the world?
To provide jobs? I doubt so..

Why do we need 2 Casinos in such a small country? How many casinos does Malaysia has? Do we really have to go one better?.. These are places that do nothing but harm..to my opinion.. one is already more than enough.. check out the number of cranes on site you are dead sure that they are trying to complete the project as soon as possible.

Whats happening to Sentosa? Whats happening to the environmentally friendly policy of the island. GONE!.. more developments. more modes of transports. car numbers are expected to increase. new connecting bridge. To attrach foreign investors i suppose...

Terminals 1.. Terminal 2.. Budget Terminal.. fair enough.. Terminal 3.. all right thats for A380.. plans for Terminal 4!! thats plain ridiculous.. is that a plan to get back the No.1 spot for being the best international airport in the world? lost to KL, bad loser? why cant they try improving on what they have and not keep on spending tax payers money to build more terminals. I seriously dont believe we need a Terminal 4. maybe the authorities just want to use up every inch of land they have.

Good on them for introducing The Flyer. ah ah.. I don't expect it to last. just not attractive enough. because everyone has it, doesnt mean we NEED to have it. 5 years.. Maintenance Fees will be more than Income.

F1.. impressive, fancy such a small country where traffic is becoming a problem can actually host a F1 race. good for the people. but can we actually handle the event. come to think of it. We, just won't take fail as an answer. what i can expect is, more overtime, less pay, good media reports. We are already not doing very well handling the ticket selling system. all right, is our first, excuse accepted. do we need to fix the CashCard reader on the racing cars? ERP till 10.30pm.

guess being a Foreign Minister wont be that easy in my country. we are continuing trying to impress others. I guess the culture has gotten into the citizens as well long time ago. PSLE, Os, As, Diploma, Degree. remember those days when ur uncles and aunties will call and ask you how well you have done. Thanks for the concern relatives!..

maybe is time to sit down and think how to provide benefits for our citizens, not continuing to trust foreigners, giving residency and benefits to them. population in Geylang will just keep on increasing. even the Tau Huay business is afraid and has shifted further away to avoid the stink.

I've learnt not to believe everything the media reports now. because only the good stuffs are reported. Singapore has certainly changed. Changed for the world.

Public Transport in Singapore > Cabs

Waited for 15 minutes before decided to call a cab for a trip back home from Raffles City Shopping Centre after dinner. 85% of the people that waited @ the taxi stand called for a cab.

Taxi Stand should be re-defined. it is not a location to wait for cabs. It is a location for called cabs to know where to pick up their passengers. Personally, I think it is rather unfair to the passengers for taxis "loitering" around the CBD area, not waiting to pick up passengers, but waiting to press that "$3.50" button on the screen in front of them. yes, as I found out yesterday, many cabs are able pick us 5-7 minutes after we made the cab call. Cabs who got played out did not even want to pick up passengers waiting @ the taxi stand. off they go to their pressing game again.

Both of us happily hopped on the cab after the call. extra charges $6.50. What? before I can figure out what other extra charges are there, the metre has already reach 3 bucks. thats already $9.50. your seats are not even warm yet. Uncle was all right, not the usual grumpy one, upon asking, $3 is an extra charge for services within the CBD from 5pm to 12 midnight. the W word came up again. WHAT!!!! and after 12, there's this midnight charge. i thought to myself: THIS IS HOME, TRULY.

Foreigners says that our cab fare is one of the cheapest in the world. Countries like Australia has the metre increasing like your heart rate. but here back home. Sorry guys, the heart is already pumped before you hop onto the cab.

Public Transport Planners: Is this scheme suppose to benefit taxi drivers or the passengers? is it suppose to encourage drivers to enter CBD area. CBD area should be somewhere accessible, not somewhere forcing passengers to make that call. or is it suppose to increase the use of buses and MRTs.

I guess we will never know the answer, I hope those people making the decisions know the real answers, I'm sure they will never be in our situation. cos they own big cars. Guess at the end of the day, We, the Citizens of Singapore just want to get home safely everyday. No reason is needed which makes your job here much easier.

to own a car, you need a COE
to take a cab, you need to pay EOC > Extra Ordinary Charges.
better stick back to trains and buses
"good" on you singapore, continue to impressed the outside world with casinos, terminals and airplanes. because no one knows the inside world YET! Congrats.

ERP Pricing in Singapore

Went back to Singapore for 3 weeks. Loads of changes. But one issue I can't support is the ERP pricing system in Singapore. Its getting out of hand isnt it? from a traffic engineering point of view.

Yes, I'm proud that we are the 1st country in the world to be able to utilise this system, but this does not mean we have to install it at almost every major road.

First of all, operating the system from 5.30pm to 10.30pm at CTE towards Bishan is ridiculous. Tolls are used for roads maintenance and also to divert traffic away from major roads during PEAK hours. yes peak hours, is quite sad to find out that the peak hours on that road is from 5.30 - 10.30pm (1.5 hours before midnight). Going for prata supper @ Jalan Kayu would cost me another extra dollar.

Second, peak hours does not start at 3.30pm. I find it a joke to find out that I would have to pass a gantry for my trip to Sim Lim Square at 3.30pm where traffic is still smooth. What angers me is that when I decide to make an extra trip to Plaza Singapura. "Beep" there goes another dollar!
I remember before we implemented the ERP system, we would have to buy "coupons" to enter the RESTRICTED AREAS! and gantries are set up to cordon off that particular restricted area to reduce the traffic. Its shit to find out that at current, there are restricted areas within restricted areas. *Bullcrap

third incident > saw a newly installed ERP gantry near Kallang MRT. That's where my family doctor is and the destination is approximately 7 minutes away from my HDB flat. Too add on to my anger, land uses for that vicinity are mainly residential. What is the main purpose of setting up a ERP at this location? to prevent residents from getting cars? I can imagine, next time, I would have to hear that irritating and costly "BEEP" sound when I visit my doctor and making a U-turn back home. Not to mention the ERP at Toa Payoh Lorong 8. Singapore is not a huge country, how can every area be a Restricted Area.

Owning a car in Singapore used to be expensive due to the COEs. I believe that is a very good idea of reducing the number of cars on roads. but nowadays, it seems that the authorities are reducing the price of cars and increasing the ongoing car costs. Really surprised that petrol prices are higher in Singapore than in Sydney. and Sydneysiders are already complaining and pressuring the petrol companies to lower their prices.

just plain pure ridiculous the way the ERP is being implemented.
is hard not to convince me that "they" are starting to be greedy. as usual, not fully taking care of their own people. maybe the money will be used to build Terminal 5 or to sponsor some overseas students from the North-Eastern part of this world. who knows?

Happie Lunar New Year from Down Under

Happy Lunar New Year to Everybody~!!!~

Although I would really prefer to be back in Singapore RIGHT NOW for this very traditional Chinese New Year festive season... Recent Sydney's weather hasn't been the best to celebrate our CNY festival. Always wet & windy; making CNY parades, stage performances & lion dances to disappear. But we still make an effort to go down to StarCity casino to see the lion dances & dragon dance, plus 2 strings traditional Red Firecrackers!! Also took Angpows from Mr Chai, Chai Sen Ye (God of Wealth).

When checking out the steamboat on the previous blog entry, made me drool & heart wrenchin' to go home to sit there and have dinner together. Pap, you can really make me miss home. But knowing everybody is having a ballin' good time, lightens my spirits as well. Thanks for the Toast! Pictures does speaks a thousand words... That's very sweet.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaammmm Sengggggggggggggggggggg

back to all @ home too~ *BIG SMILES*

However, Clement & I made it a point to keep certain traditions alive for the next generation to appreciate the lil' family traditions & taboos. We had a mini-spring cleaning; which means clearing my clutter. Clement has not much clutter. I take after my Dad, I like to keep stuffs, work-out stuffs & repair stuffs. So it's the time of the year, to those I can't repair / no time to attend to -- Goodbye! straight into the bin.

Next, shopping! New clothes! to usher in the new Rat year, MY year. Yes, 2nd round - 24 yrs old. Bought almost $50 worth of food supplies to DISH up our Reunion Dinner for the next 3 days and to have a brand new sack of Rice for the coming Rat year! Rice to feed the Rat. *grinz*

Not too long now, I'll be back home in time for the 人日 (Ren Re), in other words, Yu-Sang day~!!! Oh Yeah... Till then... Take care & wishing all Hs - Happiness, Health & Heaps of Money!

~CNY greetings from Down Under~

LETS USHER IN THE GOLDEN RAT FEB 7, 2008

GREETINGS TO EVERYBODY.

Today is the LUNAR NEW YEAR 2008 OF THE GOLDEN RAT.

My wishes for everybody :

"MAY THIS YEAR THE YEAR OF THE GOLDEN RAT BRINGS.....

PROSPERITY

GOOD FORTUNES
SUCCESS IN YOUR ENDEAVOURS

ROBUST HEALTH

AND LASTLY BUT NOT LEAST ABUNDANCE WEALTH."

Sidetrack a bit : U know people used to say "Money is not everything, Health n Love are"

Fair enough so this year of the Golden Rat I am gonna advocate on Robust Health n Cherishment of Love. But then I have this habit of "I Love Money", so how?..hianz....

Ok, Lets get back to the main topic of the Golden Rat.

Some pixs here for your veiwing pleasure, how we toiled on the preparation to usher in this Golden Rat 2008.

The Toiling Begun......

And the reward....LETS ALL JOIN OUR HANDS (physically n in spirit) N OFFICIALLY USHER IN THE GOLDEN RAT YEAR OF 2008

See the nice spread of food on the table..yummyyyy and wine too.

(Huh!!!! Where is the wine?????)

And then here is the reward.... feasting time... Okay Lets tuck in now.......

And Yeah, the future Man of the House, handling the wine...yeahhhh!!!!!!

And the Grand Finale, these three pieces of Pixs is the special moment .

My Girl, We on this side like to propose a toast to you, My Girl, n also your boyfriend, who are celebrating with us here in spirit,

'HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR ....... KONG HEE HUAT CHAI".......

Yammmmmmm Sengggggggggggggggggggggg