17 December, 2012

Purpose

It is a bit intimidating.. in a good way, facing with someone who knows exactly what his priorities in life. I feel clueless.

Decisions are all making sense. The choices. Speed. Career choices. Relocation. The travel.

I suppose a wanderer warrior one day must go home with his identity. I can understand that, I felt the same and lost as well sometimes. Unfulfilled and empty. Having a sense of purpose and dedication is important. It's almost vital. what's the use of lifeless paperwork.



16 December, 2012

The Taurus Woman

I like the description of the Taurus Woman here:


The Taurus woman

As the bull is a supremely masculine creature, the cow is supremely feminine. The female Taurus is often the epitome of the instinctual feminine archetype, with all the gentleness, strength, wisdom, patience and sensual passion of her goddess-antecedents. There seem to be two distinct types of Taurus woman.

The first is the real Venusian Taurus, with a perfectly made up face, surrounded by beautiful scent, dressed in sensuous, expensive designer clothes. Pampered, indolent, and preoccupied with her own attractiveness, you may accuse her of vanity and self-indulgence, but she knows that self- confidence and pride in herself are the best guarantee of being treated with real respect.

Then there's the Taurus woman who reflects the purity and harmony of nature. Organically grown food, natural fibres, a ban on smoking, a refusal to use chemicals in the garden or artificial colouring on her hair, this woman harks back to the old temple priestesses in the days when the power of the Earth-goddess represented the power of life itself.

Either way, the Taurus woman is wise in the ways of love, and is devoted and usually loyal -provided she has security and knows she's valued.  Her tenacity and faithfulness are admirable. Sometimes they're too admirable. Try to release yourself from this kind of Taurean woman and she will hang on with that incredible Taurean tenacity until you give up and come back out of sheer exhaustion. Taurus women can wait, and they often do wait, and wait, for the promise you made ten years ago to be fulfilled.

Flirtatious at the beginning of a relationship, Taurus settles into stable routines very easily and quickly. If you enjoy spontaneous trips and unplanned holidays, give this woman at least three months' notice. And don't, for heaven's sake, change plans at the last minute.

Taurean women can be very literal, believing what you say and holding you to it the next day. Or the next year. Or the next decade.  If she promises something, she'll endure all kinds of hardships to keep her promise, and her sense of responsibility is very highly developed. She doesn't like letting people down, in personal life or at work. If you promise something to a Taurean woman, mean it. Otherwise, learn to think before you speak, or choose another sign.

There is an innate simplicity in the Taurus woman, even in those whose practical abilities and business acumen have led them to build a solid career in the world. "Simple" doesn't mean "stupid", so don't make the mistake of thinking, because she didn't win any prizes on the school debating team, that she isn't grasping exactly what you're trying to say, even when you thought you meant something else.

Although some Taurean women are gifted at verbal gymnastics, most prefer clear, plain, no-nonsense communication where nothing is concealed or ambiguous - and because they're usually straight and direct, they know when you aren't.  Despite her strangely childlike quality, the Taurus woman can be terrifyingly shrewd when it comes to seeing through shams and pretences. She isn't innately suspicious or mistrustful, but she can spot a fake from a long way away. That applies to fake antiques, fake flowers and fake people.

Taurus' eye for the realistic, the stable, the reliable, is unerringly accurate. Her common sense is a wonderful elixir for the jaded visionary, and her capacity to get to the basic core of a problem allows her to find simple solutions while you're still pacing up and down tearing your hair and wondering how you'll ever even begin to sort out the mess. The Taurus woman brings everything - including her partner - down to earth. And because it's a gentle sign, it's likely to be a soft landing.

09 December, 2012

Lunch today

Grilled ribeye steak
Asparagus and carrot - boiled/steamed
Grilled potatoes with tomatoes
Fruit appetizers - starfruit, granny smith apple, plum

Result: colorful delight for lunch with camomile tea. While jamming with Dj Earworms 2009 mix.




First Tiramisu on Sunday rainy morning

Tried my first Tiramisu. Result - nice with right sweetness and right alchoholic contents. But I made the mistake of leaving the egg white for too long that it spoiled.

11 November, 2012

Bond: SkyFall

Just came home from watching 007: SkyFall. I like the show. It's not so emotionally gripping - but I enjoy the beautiful movie by a wonderfully skilled cast. Daniel Craig, as buffed, macho, and serious as Bond. 3 beautiful Bond women, and my favorite Judi Dench. I like Ralph Fiennes' straight guy but gentlemanly and Javier Bandem's performance is chilling - so cool.



And guess what, today 11-Nov is Bond's birthday.

Sunday Morning

The title reminded me of Maroon 5 song, so now it's playing in my head.

I exercised this morning, circling Hong Lim Park 5 times - 1 round more than target - yay - on my Vibram shoes. After 2km failure yesterday, tempted by the yummy thought of MacDonalds' fries - I resorted to cook my own fries today.  So my run was preoccupied by the thought on how I would prepare and slices them in 3 different sizes thus batches,

One the chubby finger fries like you normally get on Fish and Chips. They are filling!

Next skinny long ones like McD's which is my fave when some of them crispy and some are meek full of potato goodness.

The last batch, turned out to be the sides. Which I am enjoying now. I didnt have size in middle to make it midsize...





Tada...

so what I wanted to write about is my experience as Publicity Assistant secretary. Maybe through my life I am aggressive to try to make up for that period of time, when I felt I am more deserving as the Main Officer, and how I executed the job. When I look back the only thing that hindered me is that I didn't have the confidence. I wasn't confident enough to stand at public speech. I wasn't ambitious enough to stand up for that post. I felt I didn't have enough friends to support my selection. But in the end, I was egged on to nominate, that must be from my friends because I wouldn't have thought about nomination myself. So because of that, despite I am the driving force and I executed the plan, planned for work distribution, I then feel cheated by that post. By 3rd year I was focusing on my Industrial Attachment, and my Accelerated Masters program that I wouldn't think about running for the second time. But I am proud of myself going through that experience. I just hadn't been thinking or digesting that time enough to realize the underlying subconcious on how it formed me today, aggressive, ambitious, vocal - that was created by joint experience. I am sure that experience must have helped to form this single-minded focus on work and progress.

Well I am proud that I am able to subconsciously realize and assign the funniest person to do lecture announcement, because I know instinctively what would catch people's attention. Assign the most aestatically gifted to paint the banners, etc.






21 October, 2012

Hurtful and Heartbreak

Do you have feel shattered when your heart breaks and you felt that painful feeling ...

You feel that you are right and being misunderstood, but that emotional moment you can't try to understand the other POV like you always do (and almost be expected to). Sadness can't begin to understand how I feel.

I can't breathe. I am longing for more air.

Liquids streaming down my face.

I am feeling waves of emotions that I never know I felt before.

I sense something intangible, breaking out. breaking apart. The silent scream fills my ear. For a moment I just want to grief. I feel useless. I see no purpose. I can't understand. Comprehension is lost.

Oh my god. I am alone.


26 August, 2012

My Sesame Street favourite

I am so sad today to hear the death of the man who is essentially Count Von Count from Sesame Street, Jerry Nelson at 78. It is  always very strange feeling to hear an icon from your childhood passed on. I guess it gives a sense of awakening on age. That time passes. And that I am getting older and old. Until this news, I've not even considered death of puppets. So sad. I guess this must be what some people had been feeling about the Muppets characters.




25 August, 2012

Holiday and Expectation

I am back from holiday for almost 20 days in Europe. We hit 5 countries on the first 6 days. beyond statistics, as my number-driven travelling companions like to say, I love this vacation because it has no expectation. I had no expectation on myself, how I should spend my time, how I should behave on politeness , that I should keep in touch with the world through tv, internet, all and my thinking just roam and be free.

Post 20 days relaxing holiday, I hit the office this Tuesday so chilled'out. And dive into 12 hours workday with jetlag and little sleep. Oh boy. My mentor said "it's because you came back and realize how stressful this role actually is."


24 July, 2012

Master Your Workday Now!

Proven Strategies to Control Chaos, Create Outcomes, & Connect Your Work to Who You Really Are by Michael Linenberger

  • Create Lists: Now Tasks:- review daily
    • Critical Now = today
    • Opportunity Now (over this/next week)
  • Over the Horizon:- review weekly
    • Move oppt now to here on lower priorities
    • Defer to Do
    • Defer to Review
  •  Significant outcomes
Vision Goal = Aspirational
Target Goal = realistic and executable

Vision Goal + Target Goal = Now Goals.

A Project-Manager based approach over mastering Workday.


22 July, 2012

The Dark Knight Rises

Dark Knight Rises

The third-movie of the Dark Knight trilogy is intense, dark, but also realistic. I feel that most part of the movie is very fast-paced, sometimes felt rushed in terms of most of the scenes. So it's exciting but takes a while to digest all the things that are happening with multiple villains and frenemies. The themes however is very relevant to concerns today about the decaying moral of modern society, the have- and have-nots clashes, and various urges of the powerful characters whether to cleanse, defend, forgive, punish, or to trust.

I love Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman, he is egoless outside of the custome, and dark menacing inside the custome so you always feel such that his character is reigning in something immense. Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle is alluring, cunning, and street-smart. She is lovely and unsettling as the feline character. I love Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman as the supporting Gentlemen of the Batman ensemble. Marion Coutillard is so lovely and fully composed as Miranda Tate. Joseph Gordon-Lewitt feels familiar (a number of characters from Christopher Nolan's Inception) as tough police-detective and finally Tom Hardy portrayal as Bane is evil and chillingly scary.

Go the Goodness and Hope!


21 July, 2012

Garden by the Bay and Morning Run

So Dad read out a book he borrowed from the library. It has healthy advices such as:
1. We should rest from 11-1 when the body processes and recuperates.
2. 1-3 is when the body recover from toxins processed
3. 3-5 when the body and lung functions are rejuvenating.
4. 5-7 is the best time to wake up and start slow as the body is ejecting its digestive by-product.
5. 7-730 the best time to have breakfast.

Today, the whole family awakens by 630 and we started off exploring the route to Marina Bay and the Garden by the Bay all the way to Marina Barrage.

What a beautiful dawn!

14 July, 2012

In-flight entertainment

8 hours flights each way Singapore - Brisbane

3 episodes of the Big Bag Theory
Hunger Games
Friends with Kids
Lorax
Act of Valor ***1/2
The Artist ****
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ****1/2 (my favorite)

30 June, 2012

Zodiac' Today's Theme

Mine Taurus


A person who is a Taurus is born between the 21st of April and the 21st of May. The Bull is the symbol assigned to Taurus. The ruling planet for Taurus is Venus and their element is Earth. Fridays are said to be lucky days for Taurus people. Strengths of Taurus include being compassionate, dependable, loyal, reliable, and also being strong both physically and emotionally. Stubbornness, aggressiveness, sensitivity and a dislike when faced with change are all weaknesses associated with a Taurus.

The Bull symbolizes strong and silent, and this is exactly how a Taurus is said to be. Until you really get to know a Taurus you will probably not see his or her true self. Taurus are very stubborn individuals and once their minds are made up, swaying them even a little is next to impossible. If you do not try to push, Taurus folks will come across as being laid back and reserved. Take heed though because if you anger a Taurus, it is likely that you might find a violent temper. However, Taurus tempers generally will not flare until they are pushed.

Taurus make wonderful friends, and whenever you need them they will certainly be some of the first ones there. Taurus know exactly how to brighten the day of friends in need. Don't count on a Taurus ever calling on you to return the favor. They are very in tune with their emotions and rarely display them. Taurus are loyal and will stand beside a friend until the bitter end.

Sounds about right ;-)

Credit for Yahoo!

17 June, 2012

My weekend with good book : SEAL Team Six

Sometimes the most unexpected can turn out to be most rewarding.

I often hear, and believe in the phrase. But in my forgetfulness, in times when it happens the life turns out its most pleasant surprises in little things.

Like my weekend. After spending enjoyable drink with my colleagues, the three of us chatted on a table near fantastic view at L33 on MBFC. The weather was hot and humid, and the Singapore skyline turned out its lustrous heart-meltingly beautiful lights at dusk. Always my favorite time of the day.

I woke up with a slightly swollen right eye. Unsure why and only half prepared for a ruined weekend, I while away the Saturday, reading stuff like how to use egg cartons to dampen the noise and soundproof your room . In fact when I walked away to Yakun to pack takeaway breakfast, I eyed quietly at their egg and finally emit enough courage to ask. Also arrange a contractor to come down next Saturday for an exact quote of a double-glazed soundproof window. I then travelled to Bras Basah for a trip on library and shopping trip of my arts equipment finally getting a nice-setup for my painting project.

Almost accidentally, I walked past the wall that displayed library's newest books on my way out. I spotted the book by Howard Wasdin. I have been knowing the book since I got first my kindle. I read the trial but thought the story was so far removed from my live that it would be waste to purchase it. So fate brought the book to my hands this weekend.

The book, editing and content was very good. The action, details, and the drama - as well as the valor, courage and the sheer mental toughness of the soldiers so admirable. I woke up on Sunday, today with a heavily swollen eye. surely my night cap reading half of the 308-pages book.

Now a bit worried, I travelled to check which clinic opens on Sunday. If you ever need one (non A&E), Raffles Hospital has GP practicing from 8am-10pm. I took my time to travel there, inhaling the sweet fresh air of Sunday morning. Life is beautiful. Except for a swelling tearing right eye.

I had my check-up, a bout of antibiotics (Moxiclav), Sofranex eye-drop and anti-histamin. Then travelling to the art school, in vain, then the cinema. Headed home with JCO half-dozen donuts and some groceries. Cook a pigrib soup with cordyceps and ling zhi, settledown with some painting done on my tiny canvas, and proceeded to finish off the book.

Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper by Howard E. Wasdin and Stephen Templin. Amazon rank #4,947 today.

13 June, 2012

03 June, 2012

Men In Black 3

Last week went to watch MIB 3. I didn't watch the second installment, and I didn't crave in excitement to see this one. But I am glad I did.

The movie is fantastical, but entertaining. Normally I didn't like action movie nor Will Smith, but this movie humanizes and touches. And it's cool to see all sort of gadgets that the movie dreamed about these days, time travel, memory swipe, violent aliens, plus the nostalgia of the wonder years of 1969 where dreams are purer, air freshers, and life tho ignorant, less complicated.

I like this review from TonyMacklin.net.


30 May, 2012

Lady gaga concert in Singapore

A couple of girls and I went to concert in Singapore. 3 nights sold-out, and we went for the first day. Standing ticket - so fun!

Amazing energy and showmanship. Also great personal touch and real showcase of dancing, energy, and also controversial message. Checkout her full tour schedule across Asia. This is still followed by 2 weeks in Auckland, New Zealand and every major cities in Australia.


It's amazing that the concert started at 830+ (after one-hour of waiting and bad organizing in the Singapore venue first day), and by 1030ish the audience energy is waning. While the singer is still so energetic, so its appaling that the encore shout is weak, and some people seen left the venue already! That's the reason the concert organizer decided to run both encores consecutively to end the day.

26 May, 2012

Vinegar drink

Japanese seems to like healthy and natural food. One of which that caught my attention is the 2 vinegar mixes (Honey or Berry) served at breakfast buffet. It came with instruction that the proper way of drinking it is to mix vinegar to fresh milk with 1:4 ratio.

The resulting drink is sour and sweet, not unlike yoghurt. Enchanted I had my eyes on any of these vinegar culture on sale outside. On my last day luckily, I chanced upon Food section at Mitsukoshi at Ginza at B2. There brand is VISS 1882 launched by Japanese famous vinegar specialist, Imazuya. I was lucky too as the store was apparently the only one in Tokyo, and I found it by chance ;-)


There's interesting mixes available. The most popular one is Apple-mix, followed by Grape then Passion fruit.


03 May, 2012

De Clutter

I fell ill badly after catching cold on Monday night. Today I am on medical leave. My body lethargic but my mind is restless and distracted by the cold.

I threw away the half-progressing beautiful Lily flowers that I was trying to dry. They were turning brown from the pure white it was. What a shame. The most beautiful flowers remain to be living ones, although no body can deny the pure romanticism of getting a bunch of flowers -oh..



I read the articles about decluttering and memories. Seems like there is symptoms or trends that are against Hoarders in USA. I just watched an episode of Dr. Oz talking about the ills of it (the same episode also talks about some bugs of the household pets).The guy who couldn't throw away stuff from childhood sounds like my brother. He would be agitated if mom throws away anything - those robots, toy cars, spidey soft toy, from his childhood. How cute. He is 30 this year and has a baby girl now.

01 May, 2012

The Avengers

I went to watch the Avengers with my collegue, last nigh pre-preview 4/30. Her brother's company is having movie night. I caught cold in mid term and had to rush back home immediately after the movie finished at midnight.

What a great show. I love how the new Director creates a logical story. The acting is strong and characters very compelling. Love it.

Also how wonderful that the interactions and dynamism between relationships of these superheroes - being playfully and quite realistically displayed. The only thing that I think is lacking is the feeling of watching a Movie than just a series. But maybe that's like reading an epic from the comic book.


Normally I have very good taste on what's good movie. Rotten tomatoes has it opening in USA on the 5th 96%.

26 April, 2012

My carbonara experiment

Carbonara is one of my favorite food. From research (through internet, so limited to popular folk lore mostly), it is a common pasta dish that derive its name from "Charcoal burner". Some speculated that it started as a dish to charcoal miner who was active in Italy at 16th-18th century.

So Carbonara is a common name for pasta (mostly commonly spaghetti or fettucine, but original Italian prefers penne) with white-cream based sauce made from cream/egg yolk, white wine, Parmesan cheese, and bacon.

My first carbonara experiment is rather successful. I got hold of the freshest ingredients from Cold Storage, which is $2+ 3 slices of bacon (Italy prefers to use pancetta - which is flavored and dried), cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh eggs. I picked fettucine which is my favorite for heavy based cream to savor more of the goodness of the richness of the sauce than the lightness of angel-haired spaghetti. I also added frozen peas for colors and attempt at veggie-ing it. Today I used back bacon which is less fatty, because I went shopping at 740pm and today Cold Storage has 2 slices left from its Danish "streaky bacon".

I used my stock white wine which is Chardonnay 2008 from Chile, Alta Mira. The receipe recommended a dry wine, so you have to be careful not to use a more sweet-based wine like Moscato, as the cream and bacon tend to overwhelm the delicate note of wine.

I love Carbonara.

01 April, 2012

So bored

I am feeling am wasting my weekends - week by week. time flies...

My Saturday, I learnt that English Premiership League football is just one of the League. The club/player starts at South/North, then National, Then L2, L1, and Finally Championship Liga before heading to the Premiership League. I learnt this from online game....

31 March, 2012

Viral videos

Do you know Viral videos. They are videos that people post on YouTube or other video sharing sites (like Vimeo, Hulu, etc) that got so popular for whatever reasons. I got into this after reading Times articles today on the survivalist of YouTube under Google HQ.

There's also fascinating videos people made about kids reactions to these viral videos. Some of the viral ones:
Nyam Cat - completely repetitive strangely addictive miao.
Psycho Girl who can't sing.
Obama "All of You Know whom I am" - impressive recovery, Sir.
Double rainbow.
Don't argue with Ibex.
Chocolate rain...

Search at Youtube.

23 March, 2012

Tired

Long day today. I started my work at 9 with a classico and chocolate croissant - that I munched through lunch time. Had a kopi-C and a pork big pao at 4pm during tea chat.

Worked through 10pm, and stood up and realize I was the last one in the office. Well I guess my come-uppace for a nice dinner yesterday. Yes, we went to the Tastings Room at Marina Sq for the restaurant week meal. Very lovely meal - I selected truffle mushroom puree soup (the curried cauliflower soup was light and tasty), 2nd course is a default squid ink pasta with fresh calamari - with very exceptionally done al-dente pasta, as main course the Beef Cheek (so soft it melts in your mouth), and the apple Flan for dessert. Yumm.

They had a great review at hungrygowhere as well - check it out. Today my brother went for the Oktober at Dempsey.

21 March, 2012

World's Most Ethical Companies

I am proud and feel also vindicated that the company I work for made it to the list of WME.
http://ethisphere.com/wme/. I know, sometimes such a list need to be reviewed with pinch of salt. but I am proud of this one, because in more occassions that I said out loud, I am continously astounded by how ethical we are - we as in the org. In terms of the way we conduct the business, formulate the policies, how hard and strict we view each suspicion of wrongful business conduct.

I am proud of that. Of working for a company like this. Of spending my efforts, time, energy and potential to at least valuable and integrity.

The company is of course not perfect. Even day by day I wonder listlessly in terms of my long term goal. But this is a small exciting news that I want to share, and capture on this blog.

19 March, 2012

Wonderful dinner

Last week was an eventful week. One of colleague, my BG Lead in Singapore nominated me for a nice small award - for GEM (Going Extra mile). I like her, liked her passion, experience, and drive. She has two college-aged sons and a golf-loving husband. She hardly need to work and sell, really. But she continues to be motivated, to push the boundaries, and to continuously passionate about her cause and her role. I admire that spirit.

It is sad for me to know, that she became demotivated that people clawed back at her for pushing them hard. Just 2 weeks ago, we chatted in a morning at the corner of Olio. I am really saddened and want to really help her, support her. Fortunately in my role, I could play a small part.

She went to Europe holiday, and came back rather refreshed. And she recognizes support - how sweet and thoughtful.

Another thing is to hear that my BG Lead in Taiwan is promoted to lead Business Process function in BMO. She has been passionate but lonely, in her works. I met her when I was on Taiwan holiday and at that point in time, I enjoyed knowing her and her boy. I am so glad to hear that she would be moving on to something good, and be recognized for that. I now learn that although she had been underappreciated by a group of management, it doesn't, it rarely means that a talent is missed by others. So I am so happy very much so to hear the news.

Last exciting thing that happened last week is I ended my Friday with a nice dinner with a wonderful company. It took me a courage to do what I have never done before, left office and came back. I was glad I did it. I had good time and dinner and became unusually chatty. I had to be careful not to "lose myself in the moment" too much next time...

Ah, life is more meaningful on stuff that happens coincidentally, unplanned, and life becomes more interesting and valuable that way. In small moments.

23 January, 2012

Happy Chinese New Year 2012

Finally, my long awaited Dragon year comes! Year that promised to be with better luck and just better generally. My folks and I just came home from praying at famous Kwan-Im temple at Bugis. This year I decided to join my folks because it was raining heavily at chinese new year turning 12. Yes, my perverse rebellion self decided to probe my parents when they laized around coz of the rain, so I pushed.

And we are so lucky to get the first hio- on the temple. We arrived thru bus 51, walking in the rain, that gets drizzled then barely there just as we arrived. The situation was festive while people were huddled under umbrella and hawker centre. But we arrived the temple were still not so crowded. There's instruction to the securities over the makeshift speaker to "have supper while the crowd is still not here". .

While we were praying, with hio offering silent words over newly year wishes, the securities blocked the entrance and I saw throngs of people with the burning hios were waiting in the crowd. Then mom finishes last in her words of prayer, and Dad, Mom, and I capping our three hios.

I can see Mom and Dad are quite pleased with the turn of the events. I hope this year brings its bright and positive energies for us and the World.

21 January, 2012

Fave songs of the day

This song by Timbaland ft. Katy Perry - If We Ever meet again
So romantic ! Reminded me of my fave Sidney Sheldon novel.

Another one Katy Perry & Kanye West - ET
Sexy! Nice lyric youtube

14 January, 2012

In Flight movies

Movies enjoyed on sQ flight Jan2012 Taipei.

MoneyBall
Melancholy story about game-changing GM of Oakland A in American Baseball. Based on true story. Great performance by Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill. Rotten tomatoes rating: 95%


01 January, 2012

Archive: 2011 Accomplishments

  • Do an education course - Chinese III at NUS Extension - Checked!
  • Expand social circle and get out of my shell
  • Retouch with old friends
  • Volunteer and social work
  • New Hobby - Checked!
  • 12KM Run - Checked!
  • Start something meaningful
  • Lombok - Checked!

Seeing experiences with fresh eyes

Given my propensity to seek new experiences, I wanted to start a new series of article that explores experiences that are new, new to me, or...