Journey of Parenthood: Yours Or Mine

The boys are coming to five months old and every day we see sides of them that relate to us. Whenever they show some behavior, Angie and I will start pointing fingers at the other, happily accusing the behavior came from the other party.

Dylan likes to whine and cry like mommy. Aiden is like Pa-Pa, a shy boy and likes to play by himself. Dylan snores loudly like Pa-Pa while Aiden is a sleepy head, like Mummy, sleeps all over his bed at night.

It's a way to relate them to us, to prove that they are our own. Till now, we still have a hard time believing these two cute buns (we just name them Fishball n Sotong Ball, guess why? :p) are our sons. They brought us so much joy with equal amount of tiredness, but all those tiredness seems to fade away whenever you call them out and they smile at you. We will continue to observe those little silly signs that relate them to us, "yours or mine" they will nevertheless be our precious sons.

IOS 4.1: Runs Faster For iPhone 3G

It's about time Apple look into their IOS 4 software that cause my iPhone 3G performance to slow down to a snail pace. I hope the upcoming IOS4.1 to be released on 8 Sept will meet what they claims. Was contemplating whether to factory default my phone in hope that it will resolve the lagging problem. Now I will just bare with it for a few more days.

Updated (13 Sept 2010): Just restore and update my iPhone 3G to IOS4.1. No hair pulling incidents occur. Still did not fix the black patch over some of my camera taken photos. Performance seems to be smoother & faster. Maybe it is just my imagination. Will keep monitoring.

Aiden Chatting With Mummy

Didi just love to chat with his Mummy ^_^

The Problem With United Transfer Policy.

Though i still support the club very much, i am a bit disappointed with the transfer policy lately the club is employing. What's with the value in the market thing? Buying only players below age 25? They totally redefine the meaning in value in the market. What's the point of buying young players to develop when they hardly help to support a title charge? Are we really going to play Scholes and Giggs till they are 40?

We spent 10 mil on Smalling, who struggle even to play in our reserves, yet not willing to pay the same amount for established players. My colleagues claim that maybe the salary is the issue between paying the same amount for an established player versus for a young one whose salary cost much lesser. But we really need to improve the quality of the backup players in our squad, more importantly the creativity. The whole transfer policy makes me wonder, do we really have money to buy big players?

Finally, when you thought of last season, though we lost out by a point but it partially due to Chelsea cock up at critical moments (7 losses doesn't consider to be a strong title charge) and Rooney having a fantastic season. If Chelsea pull their socks up or Roony not playing as well as last season, we can forget about kicking Liverpool off the f*&king perch this season.

Hope I will be proven wrong comes May.

Aiden Learning to Flip

Dylan has started flipping over by himself and his neck is getting stronger. As for Aiden, he is still lagging behind, so we are a bit concern about his development. But man how wrong he has proven to us. Angie went to NTUC and I play with Aiden while the maid looks after Dylan.

The little boy kept trying to flip over himself. He tried 4 to 5 times without any success, every time rolling back to his back. All these time, he did not cry nor throw tantrums. He just kept going and going with me beside him encouraging him. It's like as if my encouragement gave him strength. When he finally succeeded, you can see the sense of joy on his face. I am so touch and proud of him.

Oh, now that he found the trick to flipping, he has been doing it nonstop. We have to have someone to jaga Him and Dylan to make sure they dun hurt themselves.

Boiled Ginger Coke

First heard of this strange concoction while reading Sheylara's Changpin trip, where you contracted a terrible flu. Did a research and found that it is a common remedy used in Hong Kong to treat the common flu. Will sure try this next time I had a flu attack.

Distance / Time = Speed

"the Public Transport Council (PTC) revealed on Thursday that travelling time - and not just distance - is also used to charge train commuters under Singapore's distance-based fares system."

Huh? So is it a distance based fare or time based fare? Why call it distance based fare when time factor is taken into consideration? So I expect the petrol or maintenance part of the equation will take effect at a later date lah. Hmmm... probably after the elections.

Interview Woes

For me, going for a job interview is a frightening experience and it is even worse when it a job interview with a knowledge test. I don't know is it my low confidence or a previous bad experience, I am scared that I will screw up and get reprimand by the interviewer.

I just went for an interview recently and was put through a 45 mins technical test follow by another one and a half hour of "interrogation" where I was ask to explain how the I2C protocol works. This is the 21st century and I don't understand why people still uses technical test during an interview. Information is readily available on the net, so what if I know what a linked list is or cab recite I2C protocol. I believe that a person working experience, character and attitude is more important.

And don't they know there is a thing call the Smartphone? I can search for the answers for the questions using my iPhone. (Yes I did that), which make the whole test process redundant. This is one reason why I don't quite like to go for interviews especially the ones which involved technical test.

Seen Or Heard

You will never read or heard this on Channel News Asia or Straits Times. All these are in the net where the government has no way to censure it

1. Flood News Blackout
So flooding is considered a norm in Singapore so much so that CNA or ST dun even bother to report them. Maybe they just want to cover all negative news before the YOG. Rather than feeling moody about the flood at Jalan Besar, this guy took the opportunity to kayak around. Sure save the trip to the beach. To add further insult, the PUB chairman is awarded the National Day award of the Distinguished Service Order, for solving Singapore’s perennial flood problems! The committee that decide the awards must be living in a hole for the past few months.


2. The Army Serve Better Food Than This
Wah! And I thought the food they serve during my national service was bad. This is the food, provided by official caterer Singapore Food Industries (SFI), for the YOG volunteers in return for the volunteering work they provided. If it wasn't for the massive outcry in cyberspace, SFI will not even bother about it and the poor volunteers will still be eating this (Not as if there is much improvement after that). No sauce, no chilly, I spend $2.70 to buy their own mixed vegetable rice also better than this. Not that we are choosy, but at least show some respect to these volunteers who sacrifice their time to help out. On the contrary, athletes and officials were given three daily buffet meals befitting of a king by SFI. As the Cantonese says, really bor dou chu mean.

Dylan Snoring In His Sleep

Turn up the volume to listen. Like father, like son... :P

I Hate YOG

The recent Youth Olympic Games (YOG or "why orgy" as chillycraps puts it) is making me sick. Everywhere I go, everywhere I turn to, I am flush with YOG news, banners and images. The way the government is going out its way to make it a success is a little too much. All the things they do to accommodate the athletes at the expense of inconvenience to the Singaporeans are pissing us off. And they still question the lack of support for YOG. All the things the MIW did to please the foreigners only will make us hate YOG more and boycott it. In fact, there is a "I Hate YOG" Facebook group, that is growing. Goes to show how much we hated it.

When they exceed the initial budget of $105 million for the YOG, did anyone in government raise any issues? No! They just continue to spend and spend until it hits $387 million, then tell us that they are "a bit naive with our initial estimates" WTF!

I feel that we are just being made used by the IOC to find out if a Youth Olympic is feasible. The truth is as long as the Singapore government tries to organize any big events at the expense of its people, it can never be as successful as it can be without the support of its people. No matter how they want to put it, the YOG is considered a failure before it has even begin. Everyone in the world knows it, just that no one in the government wants to admit it.

Updated: By the way, someone found this news article. According to PM Lee in 2007, he has stated that our nation "may not be ready in 2010 because we're just building the Sports Hub. There will be time and opportunities later." In other words, he feel that Singapore is not ready to host such the YOG. Why the turn around along the way and end up with this mess?

Going For A Dip

The boys try out their new swimming pool for the first time ^_^.

Click on photo below for more photos

Is This All A Dream?

Send my car for servicing over the weekend and went to catch the movie Inception rather than waiting aimlessly.

Man, the movie is really incredible. It's a breath of fresh air from all the sequels, remakes and slasher movies that populate the cinemas these days.

I will not dwell into talking what is the story about, as google will do that. Christopher Nolan truly defines himself as THE great director of recent times. There was never a bored moment in the film and explanations are clear and well integrated in the storyline, exploring the realm of sub-conscious manipulation.

The whole experience will be even better if I have not went to read the spoiler for the movie earlier. It kinda reduces the gloss, as I knew what is going to happen next :( Nevertheless, I believe Inception will have the same impact like how The Matrix did minus the cheem theories and philosophies.

The "Increase Price" Solution Again

Once again, our first world government solved problems by increasing the cost and passing that cost to us. Is that the best they can do? Can't they be more creative? No enough parking lots for residents with season parking tickets? Increase the price of overnight parking coupons. Roads too congested? Increase ERP.

They still don't get it, people will still pay for it and the problem will still persist. It makes no difference. Only thing that changes are the wallets of the government will get bigger and our burden will become heavier.

My Heart Sunk When I Saw This

This link at the end of the post will show some disturbing pictures especially if you are a dog lover. The relating of the poor animal's plight to that of Singaporeans' is of little importance.

My heart is filled with sadness and rage when I read the news below. I cannot comprehend what drive a man to do such sick and evil acts to perform such brutality on an innocent being. The only comforting thought from the story is that the poor dog, Xi-Xi, at least has passed away peacefully and found comfort in the heavens and no longer has to go through the pain he is suffering. As for the bastard or bastards who inflict the pain on the poor dog, I hope what you did to Xi-Xi is bestowed on to you when you reach hell on the 18th level. For retribution will come, it's just a matter of time, be it to you or your loved ones.

There was a little dog in Foshan [Guangdong province] named Xi Xi whose fate (of being brutally abused) have caused the strongest and meanest character of men to buckle and weep.

When I first saw Xi Xi, his two eyes were gouged out, his genitals were cut off, and his body was covered with holes cut with knives. Yet Xi Xi still tenaciously / tediously supported his seriously injured body roaming around the neighborhood for food. No one knew who tortured the poor Xi Xi nor did anyone gave food to him.

A kind volunteer called the city’s officials and Xi Xi was sent to an Animal Hospital for treatment. While Xi Xi was being taken to the Animal Hospital, he desperately bit at the rope that tied him, probably because Xi Xi was afraid of being hurt again. This goes to prove how strong Xi Xi’s will to live is.

After examination by the Vets, Xi Xi suffered external injuries all over his body from knifing abuse, and because he did not receive immediate medical attention, his wounds were infected and leukemia developed, causing white blood tumors in his body.

Further observation by the vet found that it is very exerting and painful for Xi Xi to urinate and defecate, leading to a part of his intestines being expelled during passing motion.

Apart from that, Xi Xi keeps retreating to dark corners. Those who have raised pets and have some experience will know that this is what dogs (and other animals) do when they know they are about to die and want to find a peaceful place to leave the world, and leave Xi Xi eventually did after 2 days at the Animal Hospital. Many of our hearts died with Xi Xi that fateful day.

Link

No More Freak Flood III

I mention a while ago that 50 years on our country still remains socially even though the outlook looks different. This is even more so today as proven by the flooding in recent weeks. The following comment is seen on Temasek Review.

Anyone has PM Lee’s national day rally speech or video in 2008 or 2009? He showed some pictures of a kid playing in the flood back in the 50s or 60s in Singapore and he was saying how lucky we are to be living nowadays without any flooding. What this shows is that Singapore has gotten worst.

Here is the video with the flood picture at 11 mins 30s. The more we change, the more we stay the same.

Seen Or Heard

1. So much for being vigilant. Commuters are still wondering how the hell this lady managed to push a NTUC shopping cart into the MRT station and onto the train. It's a fucking damn trolley, not some shopping bag. The thing is so fucking big. Where are all the MRT security and staff? Can catch you drinking water on the train but not a lady with a big trolley. Where's the logic?

2. Saw someone post this comment @ Temasek Review.
"Singapore should employ a team of 100 Paul the Sotongs to replace the 82 Goondus and the 500 Perm Secs of ministries, CEOs & MDs of stat boards and GLCs. Instead of wasting $1 Billion of tax-payers monies & National Reserves every year to pay those jokers, we just need to buy a few ikan bilis and see-hums for the sotongs.

I’m very sure the team of sotongs can provide better answers to questions like:
1) Should we invest our blood national reserve $$$ into Bank of Americam, Merril Lynch, Barclays and UBS?
2) Should we allow more than 100,000 foreginers into S’pore in 2010?
3) Should we ban foreigners from buying HDB?
4) Should we impose minimum salary across the board, applying to both foreigners and citizens?
5) Should foreigners pay “national service” tax that pays as extra bonuses to NSF and reservists?
6) Is the Marina Barrage a major contributing factor to recent floodings?"

YOG = IMF 2010

Today reported that Singaporeans need to be more supportive for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG). After wasting so much of the taxpayers' money and implementing stupid rules like the YOG lane, they expected us to just turn up and show our fucking "Four Million Smiles"? The entire YOG smells of IMF Part II to me.

Why the government must do so many unnecessary things? All these are so 虚伪, just to "por" the visiting athletics and give a false impression how wonderful they are. The Give Way sign in CAPS on the YOG vehicle just scream of "Get Out of the Fucking Way!". For starters, they should at least add a PLEASE in front of the "Give Way" sign to show some basic courtesy.

FYI, some Singaporeans are praying for flood to jam up the YOG vehicles. ROFL

It's Friday!

Both the boys woke up quite early today and look very cheerful especially Aiden. Must be be because it is Friday

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dog Beating Owner Given Stern Warnings

I glad that the AVA went to check on the dog in the video below and issue a stern warning to the owners. Yes, the dog misbehaves and bites the cushion and need to be discipline. But do you have to hit it so hard and so many times on its head? What if you miss and damage its eyes? The way she discipline the dog is equivalent to giving someone the cane punishment for littering. I say serve the owners right. As I commented on a friend’s Facebook who posted this video, not only the lady should be slapped. The one taking the video should be too for standing there and not stopping the lady inflicts so much pain on the poor dog.

Memory Loss Due to iPhone

Overhead on the radio the other day that a reason that our memory is getting poorer due to our over-reliance on technology. I have to agree especially as I am finding my memory is getting poorer and poorer. I have been storing a lot of info in my phone and as my memory gets poorer. With my memory degrading, I relied more of my phone and computer to keep track of the things I need to remember. The situation has worsened when I got the iPhone. Hence, the more forgetful I becomes, the more I store on my phone, which makes me even more forgetful. I believe this does not apply to me only and with the rising popularity of the smart phones, more people will end up like me. Think I will become senile before I hit 60.

No More Freak Floods II

So they finally admit it. After three floods within a month or two of them happen in Orchard Road, they have decided to improve the drainage in major canals and drains at flood-prone areas only. So our dear Minister of Environment and Water Resources have changed his explanation from freak flood in 50 years to flash floods is a challenge faced by cities around the world. As usual, it's so and so country has floods too, so don't expect that we don't have.

Actually, they shouldn't just limit it to flood prone areas. Nobody expect Orchard to be flooded initially and look what happen. We can't just patch the cracks only when they appear. They should review the entire island drainage system.

Bedtime Chitchat With Aiden

No More Freak Floods

From it's no more freak flood that occurs every 50 years to don't expected there is no flood in Singapore. What a quick turnaround in giving excuses. The drains should be cleared of all obstructions. Why flooding still occur? Like I said, problem is our drainage system no longer can handle the increase in rain fall due to the change in weather condition.
By the way, it's no longer nice to stay in condo or private properties as you may find your car become a submarine when you wake up in the morning. Well at least the flood manages to solve the rat problem. Hehehe

Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Prototype

Hats off to Honda for their innovation and ingenuity, but this will only make us lazier. Sooner or later, we will be like those people in the movie, Wall-E

Still Stuck In Office

10 years in the workforce and my first time force to work overnight to make up lost time. This I have to thank

- The idiot who plan such tight schedule to build a prototype for customer review with so many requirements with the deadline being this coming Monday.
- The idiot who choose the hardware with outdated codes and incorrect info.
- The idiot who assigned only 2 software engineers, me included, for such complex project.
- The idiot who then let one of the software engineers to go on leave for 3 days this week, leaving one software engineer (aka me) to hold the fort during this critical period.

And to think that we are repeating the same mistakes after having gone through 2 previous projects, which have shown this kind of mistakes. The irony of it all is we even have a "Lesson Learnt" documents for both of the previous projects. Higher management failing to read the documents? *faint* As they say, history is written to prove that the same mistakes can be repeated again.

Looking forward to having my weekend burned... Weeee....

Things I Learn Today: The Singapore $1 Coin

Came across this interesting post on the myths on the Singapore $1 coin. Though I heard the first story of making everyone carry a 八卦 because of the MRT lines damaging the country FengShui, the second story is much more interesting. Well, we learn something new everyday.

Together At Last

Just saw the news that the widow of bridegroom Vernon Leong, who mysteriously fell to his death from the Hilton Hotel on his wedding night last November, committed suicide yesterday. Though this is a sad news, deep down we are glad that Kerin no longer have to go through the pain of losing her husband and the couple are finally together at last. May the both of them Rest In Peace.

More photos here

Argentina Lost But So Do Paraguay

Phew.... thank god Argentina fail to win the World Cup when they lost to the Germans. We are all spared the sight of seeing Maradona naked :)

But then again, we will miss the chance of seeing Miss Larissa Riquelme naked too as Paraguay was knocked out of the World Cup. :(

Aiden Playing With His New Toy

Angie rented some toys from Rent That Toy! for the boys. This is a good way to stimulate their little brain.

Aiden attempt to push the paddle after being shown once by the maid while Dylan will stare curiously at the spinning lights from the toys.

I Am Paraguay Supporter Now.

According to some, this should be the correct way to hold the new iPhone 4, to solve the signal loss issue. Some even claim this position BOOST the signal.

FYI, The lady is Lingerie model Larissa Riquelme, who pledged to run naked through the streets “with my body painted with the colors of Paraguay” if Paraguay wins the World Cup. I am a Paraguay fan now. ;)

Similarities Between Football & Wrestling

I love to watch football, but sometimes, especially for this World Cup, I find is no difference than the silly wrestling match play out by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Reason being:

1. Having eye sight problem is a requirement to being a referee in both sports. Just like how the WWE referee miss all the foul plays and cheats in a wrestling match, how the hell did the ref and his linesman miss the England’s equalizer and that Argentina score their opening goal against Mexico in an offside position is a mystery.

2. The play acting (diving, pretending to get hurt) by the players are more convincing than those acted out by the wrestlers, wincing in pain when receiving a fake punch.

3. Both sports governing body are run by an joker cum idiot - Sepp Blatter (FIFA in real life) and Vince McMahon (WWE in reel life).

Oh, I support the introduction of technology, not only goal-line technology but video technology, to the most popular sport in the world. We have seen too many unjust being made in football. Goals unjustly awarded or rejected, players unjustly send off and too many cases of play acting to gain the upper hand. As Scott the Red put it rightly, "as if arguing the toss over decisions is justification to see the wrong team knocked out of the cup, win the league or get relegated!"

Dylan Playing With His Father

Did You Wake Up Last Night To Watch Football?

Another Remake Of XCom

Just read in Digital Life today that game makers are creating another XCom game. I still remember playing the original XCom game when I was serving my national service, rushing home after booking out to play it. The magic in it is the constant need to research and development better weapons and technology and base building to combat the alien threat. Its squad control turn based game play allow me to apply what I learn in the army to good effect

Sadly since then, game developers have been trying to renew the franchise by making it real-timed based and first person shooter (FPS). The magic is no longer there and goes without saying; these iterations did not do well. For the latest XCom, I read that they will add back the R&D element back into the game, but somehow I doubt it will capture the same magic as the original version. The latest version is yet another 3D shooter due to the popularity of FPS. Why every game must be graphic intensive I duno. I feel game play is more important. All the fancy eye candies are only temporary. Once we completed the game, there is no desire to play it again.

By the way, I still do keep the old copies of XCom and XCom2: Terror From the Deep and I know how to make them run on today’s machine. Looking through all the old XCom screen capture bring an itch to dig them out and play again ;)

Electricity Tariffs To Go Up Again

Wow, new excuses! It's not the price of fuel now, but the price of other "non-fuel components". And they add in an adjustment for under-collection in the previous quarter. Will they have an adjustment next quarter if they over-collect for this quarter? Well done, Singapore Powers. Well Done...!

Here Comes The Flood

The recent flooding all over the island lately tells us on thing.

One, climate change has caused an increased in rain fall where once it only happens in 50 years have started to occur annually. This has been proven further with the flooding at places we never expected and the occurrence of such "freak" floods twice within a week.

Two, our drainage infrastructure needs to be upgraded as they can no longer handle the amount of rain water pouring down. Climate have changed, infrastructure needs to be upgraded rather than relying on those laid down by our forefathers. The PUB can no longer shift the blame to clot drains and give "freak flood that occurs every 50 years" excuses. Or worse still having your PM comes out and tell you to accept the fact the Singapore can't be flood-free. The all too famous "whatever has happen has happen, let's move on, it's a honest mistake" crap.

If the government continue to be so Evian (thanks Chillycraps), then they better start mentally prepared to get freak results in the next election. In the meantime, I will look out for flood damage coverage when renewing my car insurance.

Write The Future

Nike New Football Ad.

Updated: Looks like this commercial is cursed. All the football stars bar Ronaldo who appear in it are all out of the World Cup before the knockout phase with Ronaldo out after Portugal lost to Spain

Fight Club

Korkor gave Didi a right hook... Ouch...!

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Spot The Difference

WTF! DYI Parking Lot!

It will be nice if we can do this in Singapore where free parking is a rare term.

iPad Killer?

Damn the Chinese are fast in the way they counterfeit other people's product. Behold! The new iPed.

Your Sons Have Grown Up When They...

Hold his own bottle of milk?

Hug a boaster?

Even if they gave us a lot of stress and frustration lately, they are still our fresh and blood, our pride and joy. Daddy & Mummy love you both.

Singaporeans Are Not All That Bad

I was working late and suddenly heard tie screeching and a loud bang. By the time I turn to the window facing the traffice junction next to me, I saw two cars have came to a halt after a collision. One of the cars actually have overturn to its side. It's a frightening sight, which makes me thought of my mother's accident. Then I notice that at least 3 - 4 cars immediately stop within seconds of the collision by the side of the road. Their drivers is seen getting off their cars and rush out to the overturned vehicle and push it back down. In addition, some pedestrian also seen rushing in to help.

I feel heart warming to see so many people actually rush to the scene to help out. Shows that we Singaporeans are not that bad. When lives are really in danger, there are still people out that who will come to our aid.

A car police car has arrived in 10 mins followed by an ambulance arrival 5 mins later. That's a pretty responsive time from our Home team. Hope both drivers are alright.

Oh, other than the helpful people, there are tons of on-lookers standing by the side of the road. Since it is 5 mins past midnight, I doubt they are ones who just came home from a late night out. Most probably came down from their flats for a clearer view of the scene. Super kapo leh these people.

Colleagues Redo Manchester Unitd Fan's Cubicle.

How nice if my colleagues can do this to my cubicle? But on second thought, better not. What if they might mess up all my stuff? Then I won't be able to find them. :P

The Weekly Codswallop #2 - Changing Desks from NonsenseLondon on Vimeo.

President Nathan's New Book

This I did not know. I only came to know that our President wrote a book with said title from Mr Brown's CNNG column (Damn funny, must read).

Well Mr President, many Singaporean also wanted to know why...

Dylan & Aiden Making Faces

Michael Jackson?




Who taught him to sleep like this?




Just like his daddy, sleep with mouth open...


Why you look so sad?


Can you spot who is Aiden and who is Piglet?


Aiden, crying for his milk


Brothers Together


Kwa Simi!




Oh NO!


I don't want to hear!


Synchronize Crying?


Dylan doing his impersonations of Popeye


"Hmm...."


Raise your hand if you wants milk

More photos here:

No Apps For iPhone in M1 AppStore?

M1 recently rolled out a new site, M1 AppStore, for its customers to access applications available on various operating platforms. So I went to the site and take a look if there are any interesting apps for my iPhone. Use the search feature on the site to run a search for iPhone and I got this message - "Sorry, there are currently no applications available for your handset." -_-"

Further checking shows that they have apps for iPhone. A typical case of the system testers not doing their job thoroughly. They should not release the news if the site is not ready in the first place. Given the number of apps they have for iPhone, I stick back to Apple Appstore.

A Sad Day in The Office

Lately, I just got wind that another 2 colleagues have tender their resignation. For the latest statistic, since start of 2009, a total of 12 colleagues, managers and engineers, have either been permanently posted out or left the company with 3 new engineers and 2 managers coming onboard. While the number of engineers dwell, the number of managers has more or less remains the same. Seems like the company feel managers are more important than the engineers who are doing the actual work. Engineers are getting overloaded. I am tired of the practice of dragging and dropping engineers around without warning or checking with the engineers themselves. The greatest shock is that even my software lead that I respect a lot is leaving next month too. I think I have to start looking around...

Update: Argh shit. Just got news that another colleague is leaving on the first week of June. That's 13 in total. Office is getting emptier

And Then There Are Three

Mediacorp's supposing 7 Princess are dropping like flies. On top of the three I mentioned in an earlier post, the latest one leaving is rumored to be Felicia Chin. After her thank-you speech, which she claimed that it could be her last, there are media speculations that she is leaving.

She claims that she is going away for her studies. But my colleague claims that another reason could be that, ever since their raise in popularity due to Little Nonya, all the good outstanding roles are given to Jeanette Aw and Joanne Peh. So the rest of the princesses have to fight for ikan bilis roles, and that could be the reason for the exodus.

I have to agree. Another pair that are getting a lot of exposure is Elvin Ng and Dai Yangtian. So every drama you watch nowadays have either one of them in it. Boring right?

That's not all, magazine are also full of stories of them especially the ugly dress-up and hairstyle on Joanne during the recent Star Awards Show. I don't know how she feel but I would castrate the stylist (I hope is not David Gan since he is nothing for me to castrate. LOL) for making me to look like THAT! Only thing I am interested in is whether I can see Joanne's tits. =D

Getting Your Logos Right

This is old news but I still find it funny. The Office of Government Commerce became the laughing stock of the town when they unveil their new logo. Though it was not on purpose, it certainly generated the right amount of attention on them. If you don't get what's so funny about it (Duh...). tilt your head to the left and find out. ^_^

You Are Only As Good As Your Skin Color

Truth about Singapore, no matter how good you are, as long as you dun have blonde hair or fair skin, you are always second best. This is best shown in the recent appointment of the national Under-14 football coach. When former national captain, Nazri Nasir, applied for the post, he was rejected and given only a part-time post with the under-12 team, with a Westerner getting the Under-14 coach position. This is a Under-14 coach position we are taking about here, not the national team. How are we going to develop and nurture our local coaches/talent if we don't even allow them a smallest opportunity? Since this is being practice in the national level, what's does it shows for the rest of society. Blame it on our overly kiasu-ness or the need to survive due to the size of our nation. In Singapore, results matter more than anything else. The ends justify the means

Movie Tempt Me To Get A Macbook

Just finish watching a Swedish movie, The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo, based on the best selling book of the same name. Quite a nice suspense thriller. Beat the typical slash and hack plotless movies coming out of Hollywood these days.

Anyway, Apple should pay the movie producers for advertising their Macbook Pro in the movie. Every character in the movie owns a Macbook Pro and the movie has many scenes of using the notebook, from editing photos, surfing the net to writing a document and even for hacking purpose. Really makes you want to go out and get one yourself. This is not help by the fact that my sister-in-law just bought a macbook and the constant problems I have with my PC.

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No Better Than A Third World Country

Finally! After weeks and months of negotiation, Starhub & Singtel have finally secured the rights to broadcast the 2010 world cup in Singapore.

Given that our neighboring countries are able to secure the rights earlier and broadcast the matches free, the issue in securing the rights definitely did not come from FIFA side. The whole delay is more ridiculous given that we are one of the 4 remaining countries yet to obtain the rights with the other countries being North Korea, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Dun you find it truly nonsense that we are not better than a third world country? Btw, our neighboring countries can watch the world cup matches free while we have to pay $70 for it. How come ah? Sums up pretty much how fuck up our local broadcasters are.

P.S. FYI, I dun really fancy international football and even if I do, I watch it thru internet streaming.

My Boys' Chinese Names

They will be known as 吴榮炆 and 吴榮杰. The Fengshui master says they lack fire element in their 八字. So better have to find characters with fire to boast. Both Angie and I love it. ^_^

Taking a Chinese Test.

Went to a Fengshui master to calculate suitable names for my sons and got this stack of Chinese characters where I have to mix and match 2 characters to form my sons' Chinese names.

Wah liao... so many characters! Some I don't even know how to pronounce. I feel like studying for a Chinese test. :S

Journey In Parenthood: Day 2

The theme of today is feeding and diaper changing. Angie is recovering well from her operation and are cleared to get off the bed. I push her on a wheelchair to see the boys after breakfast for the first time. We tried to bottle feed Aiden. EPIC FAILED! So the nice nurse gave us a crash course on it.

Later aroind lunchime, the nurse inform me that the boys are cleared to be brought to normal nursery. That also means that they can be push to the room and meet visitors. Turns out their first visitors is their grandpa, my Dad. He look so happy seeing the both of them. Though he always show he is not concern, deep down inside he still cares and I know he will spoilt then rotten. :(

Later in the day, we tried to breast feed the boys and did not have much success in it. The nurse told us these things cannot b hurried and takes time and not to be dishearted.

Suddenly Dylan starts to cry. It was then we realize that he has poo poo. So his Daddy aka me has to apply his limited knowledge and do a diaper change. Heng, I am having a bad flu and can't smell anything. :p

More and more visitors arrived in the evening and I entertain them by feeding Dylan. Learning from my mistakes in he morning, this time round it is a more smooth affair. Overall, though it's tiring, I actually quite enjoy the experience of being a father. Maybe the stressful part has yet to come. Haha... the adventure continues



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Meeting My Babies For the First Time

How many tigers can you see?

Finally, I get to sit down and write this blog entry. A hectic but exciting day has just passed. My little tiger cubs have finally arrived. Today, I witness the birth of my two boys, Dylan and Aiden.

As the boys have to be delivered by caesarean, we left for the hospital in the morning with Angie being push into the operating theatre around 11am. What comes next is a antagonizing 1.5 hour wait. There is a delay with the patient in front of us and we are force to wait. When it's finally Angie's turn to deliver, the whole process lasted less than 45 mins.

At 13:13, Dylan WAS pulled out and he immediately let out a loud cry, obviously complaining of being drag out of his nice little spot in mummy's tummy. A minute later, Aiden is out. Aiden did cry too but not as much as his older brother. Aiden, who usually is the more active one while in mommy's tummy, was surprisingly calm.

We are showed two little princes before I was ushered out. After the nurses clean them up, I was allowed to carry my bundles of joy and photos are taken. Dylan is 2.46 kg while Aiden is 2.15 Kg. But they feel so light and fragile in my arms. The two little boys instantly become the stars in the labor ward nurses and passerby checking them out when they walk pass. I feel so proud knowing that I am the father of these two little cuties

Since they are fresh from the womb :p, the two of them are in the high dependency nursery that only the parents can visit. So visitors are only allowed to see their photos on my netbook. According to the nurse, they will only be there for a day and most probably will be brought to the normal nursery tomorrow.

My brave wife is resting on the bed now. Tomorrow is gonna be a whole new ball game for the both of us. Things like lactation, diapers & baby care a common term in our vocab. This blog may soon rename as Tales of Tigers then

Dylan, drooling in his sleep like Daddy.

Aiden, bundle tightly and enjoying it.

Bayern to Win Champions League

That's my predicton for this year's UEFA Champions League winner. After watching Bayern Munich progress into the finals with their typical German efficiency, I have this tingaling feeling that they may nick it this year. Furthermore, they beat Manchester United along their way to the finals. I notice that recent winners all have beaten the Red Devils along the way. So better head down to the Singapore Pools and place your bet. ;)


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Battle of Two I.Man

It's a battle of two I.Man at the cinemas this week. Ip Man vs Iron Man. Both are sequels somemore!


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T-minus 5 Days

5 more days before the two little
cubs arrive. Busy getting all the stuff ready and checking for venue for baby shower... :s


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Location:Home

To Lift or Not to Lift

Angie the other day suddenly commented that i always left the toilet lid up after using the toilet. I feel very puzzled by all this. I dun think I’m the only man got hit by this. What is the obsession with women with the toilet lid? We, men, never complained that you did not put down the lid after use. Why make a fuss the other way round? If it is up, just put it down loh

Communication Failed My Ass

Thank god, I dun take the NEL to work. The disruption of the NEL on Wed morning though is inconvenient, the Sbstransit and its staff response takes the cake in pissing the hell out of the commuters. No alternative free bus, no claims for taking alternate transport other than waiving the fare when leaving the station n no proper announcement or update of the situation. The reply from them is the communication is down, hence staff does not know the situation. Hello! Don't they know there is such a thing called hand phone. Can call main control station or HQ to ask what? What a load of crap

SCORES of commuters were left stranded this morning as the trains on the Northeast Line, managed by SBS Transit, grounded to a halt.

The service interruption occurred at around 8.30am during the morning rush hour. The Northeast Line covers a total of 17 stations - from Harbourfront to Punggol.

"Beanie", stranded at Punggol Station, told citizen-journalism website Stomp, that trains at Punggol came to a "total standstill since 8.30am."

Others were lucky they managed to avoid the NEL altogether.

Communications executive Mr Raymond Poon told AsiaOne that he was lucky to hear an announcement about the service breakdown. It claimed that train service would be restored in 10 minutes, Mr Poon said.

But "I had serious doubts about that and decided to take a taxi to work," he added.

Was SBS Transit -- operator of the NEL Line -- slow to inform commuters of NEL breakdown?

According to comments received from readers, it was.

Stranded commuters were annoyed that the transport operator did not make an announcement on the breakdown or put up notices.

"Anonymous" posted his question on citizen-journalism website, Stomp, asking for more information about the NEL line.

No notices iinforming commuters of the breakdown were put up at the entrance of stations, said "Gossip gal".

Except for a waiver of fares, there were no other transport alternatives provided, "Beanie" said.

In response to such complaints, Ms Tammy Tan, spokesperson for SBS Transit, told my paper that the communications system was one of those which broke down. "As a result, we were not able to provide updates as often as we liked," said Ms Tan.

Affected passengers can visit any NEL station until Saturday to get a refund of their train fares.

Worries of A Soon-To-Be Father

Endure 2 more weeks. That’s what the doc says. Four more weeks before the arrival of Dylan n Aiden. There is a sense of excitement n worry for me. Excited that we be seeing each other face to face and not feeling thru a stomach. Worry will we be good be parents, can we or the maid handle both of them. Are we financially strong enough to support them? Cause by d time I m 50. My sons will only b 14. In Singapore, once you hit 40, you start to become redundant. This especially holds thru in the IT industry I am in especially now I find myself more n more behind the technology advancement. All these thoughts are preoccupying my mind lately. Stress ah

Ip Man 2

Saw the poster for Ip Man 2 at the bus stop advert board so when to google about it. Found the teaser on youtube. Donnie Yen gonna spar with Sammo Hung, re-acting their fight scene in SPL. Can't wait for its release

Tiger Cubs Running Around

Look at my two boys rolling around in their mummy tummy. (No special effects added here...). This is so amazing but hard on the mummy. As the due date draw closer, Angie have to go thru the contractions and pains in her legs and back. The sacrifice she made to carry our two boys.

Sometimes, watching her wince in pain frustrate me in a way that I can't do anything to ease her pain. Dylan and Aiden, you two have to be kwai kwai when you come out oh, look at how much daddy and especially mommy have to go through carrying the both of you.

Stuck in Limbo

Stuck for the entire morning in a meeting full of people but only 3 are talking. Rest of us feel like the furniture. Why managers like to drag everyone in a meeting where usually a few is needed. No wonder the government say we are not productive enough.

Giving in to the iPhone Craze

Due to the need to monitor our maid when no one is at home, we have install a couple of IP cameras. Viewing the cameras outside can be done by iPhone. And since my M1 contract has ended, we decided to submit to the iPhone craze, which Angie paid for it as my birthday gift. ^_^

And Then There Are Four

Once upon a time, there are 7 princess in Mediacorp Channel 8... Then suddenly one day, one of them decided to call it quits and left.

Hahaha... practising reading storybooks for my sons, yeah? Anyway, saw the news that another 2 of the supposed Channel 8 princess has decided to leave the station when their contracts are up.

Well, no, I don't find it a waste. Most of them, especially Rui En, can't act to save their skin. They are just there for their good looks. If you ask me, I say good riddance.

Playing Master and Servants

It's been 2 weeks since our Indonesian maid has came in. So far, everything works out well (cross fingers/touch wood). The girl is quite obedient and diligent in her work. Sometimes, we feel very awkward asking her to do this and that. Used to doing things by ourselves. Now suddenly there is someone to wash your dishes after you have finished your meal and handle the housework. Really need some time to get used to it.

I find these maids also quite poor thing. They travel all the way from their home, to a place that is so alien to them. They may end up with some horrible employers that really abused their power and ill treat the maid. And these employers still have the nerve to complain when the maid revolt.

The maid is human too. Just because they are less educated than us does not give us the rights to look down on them. Maybe it's the stories of maids stealing and taking advantage of the employers that frighten us. For our case, we are keeping an eye on our maid but making sure we treat her well at the same time.

Poh Chai Capsule Recalled

So far, there is no report of what's the side effect from taking the contaminated Poh Chai capsule. Think about the irony, taking something that will cure your stomach upset and end up worsening your Diarrhea problem ;P

钱不是问题

A phrase on my colleague's MSN Instant Messenger.

"福利不是问题, 问题是没福利
钱不是问题, 问题是没钱"

Funny but true.

Another Trick Question

The other night, while driving home, Angie suddenly turns to me and asks,

"Do you love me more now that I am pregnant?"

"Oh dear, is this one of those trick questions she like to ask?" was the first thing that came to my mind. If I say yes, she will say that I did not love her as much before or I only love her more because she is pregnant? If I say no, she will say I don’t love her enough.

These are the exact words I replied to her. She has a good laugh at me for thinking too much and assures that it’s not a trick question. Whew…

Well darling, my love for you has reached a new level, not because you are pregnant but for all the sacrifice you made for being the mother of our children.

I Love You...

Go Ahead and Complain Loh

People working in the service industry are getting more yayay these days. You threaten them with complains and they still can proudly show you their name cards or name tags so that you got the name correctly in their complain letter. Kao... look at how the assistant manager at Black Angus Steakhouse responds to Mr. Miyagi.

My sister also has a similar experience. She was at IMM Giant Supermarket. There are long queue at all the counters and she is in the express queue. One lady holding many shopping items tried to jump into the express queue but was stopped by my sister, who reminds her that this is an express queue. The lady told her she just wanted to lodge a complaint to the Manager at the counter. When she got there, the manager let the lady check out her stuff and make payment. When my sister confront the manager, she just can't be bother with my sister and gladly show her name tag when my sister threaten to report her attitude to the management.

Our service standards are really going down the drain. So much for the Good the Extra Mile Service (GEMS) campaign. Is it because Singaporeans like to threaten to complain too much that service people are starting to be immune to it? Or is it because we don't have blonde hair and fair skins?

Putting On A Few Grams

Sigh... the side effects of being the husband of a pregnant wife. The jeans start to get tighter. Now I even have difficulty removing my ring. :( Time to do some dieting...