安靜

Song playing right now:

周杰倫 - 安靜
詞/曲：周杰倫

只剩下鋼琴陪我談了一天
睡著的大提琴 安靜的舊舊的

我想你已表現的非常明白
我懂我也知道 你沒有捨不得

你說你也會難過我不相信
牽著你陪著我 也只是曾經
希望他是真的比我還要愛你
我才會逼自己離開

你要我說多難堪 我根本不想分開
為什麼還要我用微笑來帶過
我沒有這種天份 包容你也接受他
不用擔心的太多 我會一直好好過
你已經遠遠離開 我也會慢慢走開
為什麼我連分開都遷就著你
我真的沒有天份 安靜的沒這麼快
我會學著放棄你 是因為我太愛你

Why am I playing this song? Because it's a nice song and 安靜 surely represent the traffic of my blog, a daily visit rate of less than 20 where I myself make up of 50% of the visits.

Even when I tell my friends over MSN, they often replied that they didn't even visit, some even disappear, take just now for example - after I tell her to visit (giving the thought that she's busy reading and will reply later, but actually she didn't even visited at all!)

Maybe my friends are too dated that they find that blogging is an out thing??? What about other people reading it, basically they might read my blog from a link from somewhere else but after reading once and never return again, reasons:

my life is not interesting thus entries not interesting or simply put I'm not a babe?

I don't know.... I think I failed miserably as a blogger, I was even snubbed by Tomorrow , better crack my brains for more juicy entry to catch attention?

Finally.....

@ 3:28PM,

Dear reader(s) of my blog (if there's any),

Finally, I've added part 6 of my taipei tip! Read here!

@ 11:30PM,

Being a normal day back at work, suffered the usual Monday blues thus I've spent most of the day to finish uploading the picture for part 6 of my taipei trip blog!

Had to attend the briefing of the new dean (new overall boss), bare with him for almost 1 hour then had the long-awaited tea break. When it was my turn to take the food, the tongs was too hot for me to handle as it slip off my right hand and fell onto the floor, with a long queue behind, I picked up the fallen tongs and put on the table, thinking that the others will use their fork instead but one voice from behind: "Pick up and wipe with the serviette lar."

Thus, my colleague whom was behind me cleaned the tongs with serviette. Me, so bad.

As it was a sunny day, thus I decided to go jogging (finally) after work. Phew, just 4 rounds (half of what I usually did) and I was already struggling like hell, no choice, had to cut short and end my jog treating it as a warm-up for my spider-webbed engine.

Hope can do better in my next jog. Expecting aching legs tomorrow.....

Smooth baby!

It was so sunny in the morning, however the sky turned grey, yes, very grey around 1:30pm, the cats and dogs started to fall from the sky.

When the rain stopped in the evening, I went to wash my car, likwise I see many other do so, well, maybe this is the activity of a car-lover!

My colleague recommend me the clay bar the other day which I bought one for $9.90. His instructions were to shampoo my car and use the clay bar to go over the car body which will in terms stick up all the sand and dust thus giving your car a smoooth..... surface. It works!

After the wash, went home and helped out mum to mop the floor as she was already mopping halfway, I help her thus could fasten up things. Meanwhile, my father was watching tennis on TV and brother surfing net on PC. Am I helpful and filial? Went for shower then dinner!

Watch the so-called TV premiere (only applied for those without cable TV) of Infernal Affairs. It's a great movie and of course my idol is in it, but it seems less interesting watching on TV, issit the commercials, the dialogue in Mandarin or they censor abit, think they cut some minutes off when Anthony Wong and Tony Leung on the roof top!

It's so nice when I watched the DVD which I bought online.

Sigh!, this is the first weekend without soccer, August please come quick!

Day of rejections

Can a person (just) lack of around 2 hours plus of sleep be tired for another day? No need to guess nor look around, the person is nope other than me! Yours truly!

I just wake up to watch the live telecast of AC Milan and Liverpool yesterday, but I was still tired today, no mood to work at all, only the mood to LAZE and SLACK around!



Can you believe it that while working, I actually fall asleep, that is, sitting straight and my hand well-placed on the mouse, my eyes were close thus equals to sleeping. Minutes later, I awake again. I'm not sure if anyone caught me sleeping when they walk past me or I was actually "knocking" my head like people asking me question and I knock my head in agreement? But for sure, I didn't bang my head against the keyboard or monitor, that's for sure.

Why I called this post as day of rejections? Simply said, I rejected 2 requests today!

1. I rejected my friend - Rick's request to help him collect the free Star Wars posters in Orchard!


My MSN conversation with Rick

2. I rejected my ex-colleague - Chester whom ICQ-ed me almost to knock off time (used to messages this time always means that one wanted to take a lift from me)


My ICQ conversation with Chester

Since starting my blog, the hit rate had been rather poor, whenever I checked with my close friends on MSN if they had read my blog, their reply would be either "What's your address again?" ; "No, didn't read!"

This is kinda pathetic, even my tag board was also quiet, it seems that my blog is not going to be a successful one. My friends just not into blogs!

~ Sigh!

More sigh with the news reports on ERP increase and extension, totally uncalled for.

~ Sigh!

All about Liverpool

Although the alarm on mine and my brother rings, I still continues to sleep. However being an 'avid' soccer fan, my brain self-activate me to wake up at 3:00am to watch the live telecast UEFA Champions League between AC Milan and Liverpool.

Being 半夢半醒之間, I strain my eyes to look at the small score on the right top corner, it reads Milan 1 : Liverpool 0. As usual, I fall asleep but the commentator screams of "Crespo" wake me up again and I check the score and this time round it reads Milan 3 : Liverpool 0, apprently Crespo had scored his second goal of the game, soon the half-time whistle sounds.

Initially wanted to return to my bed as the game was particularly over but the sofa seems too comfortable for me as I stayed on. In a frantic 6 minutes, Liverpool went on to levelled the match with goals from Gerrard, Hamannn and Alonso. I was brought me to attention and stayed on for Liverpool's remarkable penalties victory.


Liverpool - UEFA Champion League winner 2005

The clock reads past 5 o'clock but I still went back to bed to sleep for a mere 2 hours before forcing myself to wake up for work. In the office, I got at least 3 person talking about the match in MSN.

Due to the lack of sleep, I was tired throughout the day.

6D/5N Taipei trip part VI

This blog was inspired from my recent Taipei trip from 13-18 April 2005. I wanted to record down the memories of the trip, so I think I better start blogging about it before auto-delete from my brain.

16 April 2005

Although leaving LUXY early the previous night and telling ourselves to wake up early for our sightseeing to Yangmingshan, but we still wake up rather late as with lame excuses that we could not afford to set the alarm clock of our mobile phones as they're low in battery. Lame, lame, lame excuses we had, thus we ended up waking up around 10:30 am.

We quickly have a quick wash-up and stick to our plans of going to Yangmingshan. After being told by the taxi driver the previous day that traffic police will be stationed at the foot of Yangmingshan to block any cars going up as it's a weekend thus need some traffic control. As being advised by him, it would be best to take a bus up to Yangmingshan.

Therefore we went to the check-in counter of Kilin Hotel to ask which bus to take us up to Yangmingshan. The hotel staff told us to take Taipei City Bus 260 from the Taipei Station, thus we quickly flag a cab to Taipei Station.

Upon reaching Taipei Station, we quickly find where is the bus-stop and soon bus 260 came and we board the bus. I and Rick share a seat while Simon sit alone (share with a Taiwanese) in a seat infront of us. Within seconds, he fall asleep again while I discuss my digi camera's function with Rick. I'm surprised that Taipei's bus is well equipped as it has a dot-matrix display in Chinese and English of the bus-stop that it was stopping rather than Singapore's "Bus Stopping" light. With such poor service, the company still dare of a fare hike? Sigh.

Within minutes, say less than 40 minutes, the bus reaches Yangmingshan and I didn't see any traffic police at the foot of Yangmingshan and cars were driving up Yangmingshan with ease. After a few turns here and there, we reached the Yangmingshan bus terminal. Once alight, we were greeted by the bright sun, cooling wind and fresh air. There was already quite a large crowd there.


Yangmingshan's nice mountain scenery #1


Yangmingshan's nice mountain scenery #2

On spotting several food stalls, we went to buy some small snacks to fill our empty stomach.


In the bus terminal, there is even a McDonald mobile food van (arrowed in red)

While eating, we spotted a map of Yangmingshan and we discuss among ourselves which tourist spot to go to. Looking at the map, we decided to go to Chutzuhu 竹子湖. Judging from the name, we thought that we are going to see a lake (湖).

Thus we asked the bus terminal staff and he direct us to take a bus (forget what's the bus number liao) which will take us to Chutzuhu. Soon the bus arrived and it was a mini-bus which squeeze as many people as possible that it could take. The bus driver kept saying in Hokkien, "Pai seh ah, ai sai kai ow bei dang po", that is asking us to move back.

Within minutes, the mini-bus stop at a bus-stop and the bus driver exclaims: "竹子湖 hor". Upon hearing, we alight the bus.

We went across the road and we can have a bird-eye view of Taipei city in the balcony. We stayed there and took a few photographs of the beautiful sight.


The balcony where you can have a bird-eye view of Taipei city


Bird-eye view of Taipei city


D.I.Y taken picture of me and bird-eye view of Taipei city

Then we followed the direction board to walk to Chutzuhu. While we walked the long, slopingly route, we again noticed the excessive number of cars driving up and down the road, it really looks like that cars were indeed allowed to be drive up to the mountain. There were also many cars parked by the roadside.


See the numbers of cars on Yangmingshan (circled area)


Another D.I.Y taken photo of myself

We were wondering what were all these Taiwanese doing up on Yangmingshan? Anyway, they all looked like coming up to Yangmingshan for praying or something as they seems to be holding white calla lily aethiopica (海芋)in their hands, or they particularly came up to Yangmingshan to buy the flower?


Calla lily aethiopica #1


Calla lily aethiopica #2

We walk and walk and walk, occassionally stop and take photographs of the beautiful scenery.


Should be nursery of calla lily aethiopica


Yangmingshan's nice mountain scenery #3


Rick using his video cam to capture Yangmingshan's nice mountain scenery

Then, we reach a signboard which states that if we go direction #1, we will reach the tip of Chutzuhu and direction #2 to reach the bottom (end) of Chutzuhu. We decided to go direction #1 as we continue to walk and walk and walk, the weather is so hot that I decided to take off my wind-breaker and tie round my waist aka what gals usually does. In the meantime, my 'cheong' and seasonal Diesel sneaker is giving way as the sole is so thin that I could feel the pain on my sole.


How long to go? We give up!

We had a feeling that we had lost our way and gave up any hopes of seeing any lake, thus we walked back the direction where we came from. Then we reached a rather special place, it's a nursery for white calla lily and a bubble tea outlet. The woman at the counter says in Chinese: "Calla lily available for picking, feel free to take a look."


稻草人 #1


稻草人 #2 (it's position looks obscene - banging the poor plant there!)

On seeing the 稻草人, I and Simon decided to go and look at the calla lily nursery and took some photographs with the 稻草人 while Rick went to get himself a cup of bubble tea.


Me and 稻草人 #1


稻草牛

I and Simon also borrowed the toilet to relief ourselves before going into the outlet to order a cup of bubble tea each. We also rest our legs by having a seat in the outlet.


The bubble tea outlet


Me @ the bubble tea outlet

Then we seize the chance to ask them about Chutzuhu and the mystery is revealed. The lady told us that Chutzuhu was originally a lake that was created when lava bubbled up from below to form a dam on the river. Today, it is no longer a real lake but rich farmland. Therefore, there isn't any lake at all.

Alamak! Read about the brief history of Chutzuhu here.


The town (arrowed) is Chutzuhu!

After resting our legs enough, we thanked the ladies at the outlet and armed with a cup of bubble tea each, we walked all the way down to the bus-stop where we first alighted.

Upon reaching the bus-stop, our bladder is full again as we go to the toilet just a few steps from the bus stop.


Blue arrow is where we alight, red arrow where we wait for bus to bus terminal

Although there is a male and female toilet but the design is damn poor as the ladies has a cubicle while the gents is a urinal just outside the cubicle. Where's the privacy? Well, we ended up using the cubicle also.

Then we decied to split up as Rick wanted to go back to Taipei city or search for hot springs 温泉 while Simon wanted to explore the natural park himself. I was torn between both ideas, but being sensible I chose to stick with Rick while Simon carry on his adventures.

After splitting up, I and Rick went to the bus stop across the road, apparently it'll bring us back to the bus terminal. While waiting for the bus, we help each other took photographs with the bird-eye view of Taipei city as background.


Alamak, cannot rest my hand as my tummy will be shown (arrowed)


Retake! Hmm...look better!


Retake! This also looks better!

We waited and 2 buses gone by without stopping as it was jam packed.

Thus we decided to go across the road to the bus stop where we alight in the first place, a bus came and we checked that it was a round about bus and the last bus was 5:00 pm. Checking our watches, it was already 4:20pm thus we decided to board the bus. Likewise, all the people whom were also waiting at the bus stop where we waited just now also board the bus. As usual the bus driver kept saying in Hokkien, "Pai seh ah, ai sai kai ow bei dang po", that is asking us to move back thus I and Rick moved to the rear end of the bus.

We were given a free tour of the whole of Yangmingshan, without much handle to hold onto, the twist and turn of the road was horrible, as we were standing, thus we kinda unable to enjoy the beautiful sceneries. Every bus stop that the bus stops, nobody seems to alight as practically every passengers on the bus were taking a round trip back to the bus terminal. One of the most beautiful sight is when the bus reaches Hsiaoyoukeng 小油坑, it is one of the park's major geological scenic sites. I suggested to alight but fearing that we might not catch the next bus, we gave it a miss.


Don't know how Rick manage to take this photo of Hsiaoyoukeng on the bus admist need to balance himself!

After much twists and turns, a couple alight from the bus and we finally have seats. Soon, we reached the bus terminal. First thing that we alight, Rick gave Simon a call to inform him of the timing of the last bus and hope that he won't be lost in the jungle. Then we proceed to ask the bus terminal staff where we can find hot springs 温泉 and he recommend to us 國際大飯店 which was down the road.


國際大飯店 reception counter (Note: Not taken by me)

Without delay, we immediately head to 國際大飯店. Upon entering, we are greeted by a smell which resembles durian plus drain water. At the counter, we checked with the staff the pricing of hot springs available.

Without thinking, Rick answers that we would prefer a private room of 2 person for NT$990 for 3 hours instead of the public pool.


Shoe deposit and changing area (Note: Not taken by me)

Then the staff guide us to the shoe deposit and changing area as we can only wear the provided slippers. Once we were guided to our room, Rick revealed that he chose private room for hygiene purposes and also he had a stomachache. Then, I also realise that I has a stomachache as well.


Picture of the room #1 (Note: Not taken by me)


Picture of the room #2 (Note: Not taken by me)

The room looks quite well furnished. Coffee, tea, towels, hairdryer and TV, whatever you find in a normal hotel is there! Take a look at the toilet, it has a cement bathtub which could only accomodate one person. It has 2 taps, one for cold water and one for hot spring water. You can mix the temperature to your desired temperature. Once you 'ON' the tap for the hot spring water, as the water splash out, you get to smell the durian plus drain water smell at full blast!


Picture of the room #3 (Note: Not taken by me)

We took turns to clear our stomach and took turns to 包湯. When one was inside the toilet 包湯, one will be in the room watching TV. Each of us had 2 rounds of 包湯, one with swimming trucks, another in the nude.

In between our rounds, we took turns to call up Simon and check where was he, he seems to board a bus down Yangmingshan and miss the bus terminal thus taking him to somewhere far in Peitou. Instead he asked us to go and looked for him. Since there are 2 of us here, majority wins, we asked him to come and look for us in 國際大飯店 as we had booked the room for 3 hours thus we shall make full use of it, if he reached early, he could also 包湯.

Simon whom was rather lack of sense of direction in Singapore, he seems to improve alot in Taipei as he could take MRT or bus and arrive in 國際大飯店 in time to 包湯. Bravo, hats off to him man!

Our booking ends at 8:00 pm and we decides to head to our next destination Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf. After leaving the hotel, the skies had already turned dark, till then we take out our digi cameras to take photographs of the hotel.


Took a photograph of 國際大飯店 when we finish our 包湯 session.

Wait a minute, what were we thinking, why we didn't take any photographs of the interior of the hotel nor our 包湯 experience. Alamak!

As per quoted by Simon, we shall be able to make it for the last bus to Peitou as he had checked with the bus driver before he alighted the bus.

While we waited at the bus-stop, I take out my camera again to take photographs of the Starbucks opposite us, I took many shots but they seems to turn out well.


Considered the best picture that I took of Starbucks Coffee!

Then, I switch my 'target' to the 7-Eleven and it turned out well, hmm.. I really not sure how to change the settings of my camera or there are too much lightings at Starbucks.


One 'auto-setting' shot of 7-Eleven is enough!

After waiting for around 15 minutes, we conclude that we could have missed the last bus, luckily we still managed to flag a taxi and tell the driver that our destination is Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf. Again, I took the front passenger seat while they sit behind and they could take a short nap again.

As the weather was cold, thus the taxi's air-con was not switch on as the windows was wind down. Driving down Yangmingshan was again twist and turn here and there, accompanied by the same durian plus drain water smell (smell of hot springs) as along the way, there are many more hot spring hotels. Too much of the smell makes one feel sick, luckily we reach the foot of Yangmingshan, we're back in the city.

Initially the taxi driver didn't strike a conversation (maybe he need to concentrate going down slope), but once in the roads of the city, he begins to strike a conversation with me (as I'm the only awake) in 閩南語 (their local version of Hokkien) as the driver was the more uncle kind. Using my broken Hokkien and occassionally Chinese, we strike a conversation and luckily he still manage to understand what am I saying. Phew!

We discussed about the road conditions (he complain which road need to widen as it tends to jam during the weekend, he even asked me which route to take like what a Singapore taxi drivers would ask, he also told me of a shortcut!), housings (cause it seems to have more higher class condo there in Tamshui) and of course seize the chance to ask about which seafood resturant at Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf is nice as you could buy fresh seafood and cooked on the spot. The driver did pointed out several resturants when we passed by a few but I could hardly remember.


Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf.

Soon, we reach Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf. When we alight, we were greeted with strong wind, the feeling is like when you on a fan to full blast and placing it right infront of your face. It's that powerful lor.


The bridge at Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf. Sigh~ the picture so blur!

We walked slowly against the wind to Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf, sibei SHIOK lor.

Looking across, we could see Yangmingshan.


Guanyin Mountain from Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf! My camera (A95) can't manage to get such good effect, unlike Rick's FX7!


Good spot to 'par tau'! Bring your loved one here to 吹吹風!

Within minutes we reached Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf. There were nothing much there as there is only a stretch of shops, resturant, think also has a 民歌餐廳 as can hear a very good voice singing.


The shops at Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf #1


The shops at Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf #2


The bridge at Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf. Change to blue colour already!


Me and the bridge at Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf.

Thus the main attraction should be the bridge, strong wind and beautiful scenery (however, it was so dark that I hardly can see anything clearly opposite the sea, maybe in the day or evening would be better.)


The shops taken on-top of the bridge!


Me on the bridge!


The bridge of Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf.

We took a long time to take photographs as (in fact) we are struggling with the night mode of our digital cameras to take a decent photograph.


Me and Simon comparing the quality of our taken photos.


Me checking out my photo blur anot and Rick took this picture. Check out my hair, guess you'll know how strong is the wind!

When we are done, we walked out of Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf hoping to try out the seafood.


Took picture at the entrance before leaving.

To our horror, it was just past eleven o'clock and most of the resturants had closed. Thus, we could not fill our stomach. We just bought a snack from a hawker to tahan our stomach first.

Leaving not much a choice, we walked further out to the main road in order to flag a taxi. Before we reach the main road, there is a resturant which has display board of prawns cooked in many different ways. Rick suggested that we try but Simon drop the idea and we carry on walking to the main road to flag for a taxi back to Kilin Hotel.

Upon reaching Kilin Hotel, it was already past midnight and we went into the 7-Eleven to buy some food to eat. Initially wanted to try out the instant 冷面 endorsed by S.H.E but due to the cold weather, I prefer something warm thus I buy the instant cup beef noodles instead.

Tell you what, as there are no hot water dispenser, we did ask the 7-Eleven staff to "cook" our cup noodles for us (since when Singapore's 7-11 has this service?).

Then, we had our noodles at the 'garden' of Kilin Hotel before going up to our room to watch TV. Please do try out the instant cup beef noodles, it really have beef inside! Shiok ah!

Later I went to a 24-hours Internet cafe in Ximen Din to check for any news to update for my AndyLausounds and surf net.

Due to the location of Kilin Hotel within the shophouses, I did lost my way when walking back from Ximen Din to the hotel. Armed with my sixth and directional sense, I walked a big round before (finally) making my way back to Kilin Hotel!

to be con't.....

I kana-ed the Music Baton

Nothing special happens for Vesak Day!

Spend 3 hours connecting my red-blue blinking LED to my car's alarm, it works but it's damn dim and only red colour.

1 hour ++ late for KTV session with my friends at Senton Way's Party World.

As promised, the Sassy One added me into her links as :: Leonard - The Bu Shi Ren One ::

Then Sassy One threw me the music baton that had been circulating in the Blogosphere.

Total volume of music files on my computer:

40 Gb ++ and counting

I know where to download Free Mp3 and finding some difficulties nowadays as I'm more concentrated in blogging than searching for download sites.

The last CD I bought:

Andy Lau's To You, an antique CD first released in 1990 for just a mere $15.95.

Song playing right now:

None, I don't play music at the moment lei, actually seldom play music. Then what the heck I have so many music files on my computer?

Five songs I listen to a lot, or that mean a lot to me:

Actually quite a lot of songs that I listen to alot lei, can I just name the singers instead??

Andy Lau - Lian Xi,
S.H.E - Remember,
Jolin Cai Yi Lin - Shou Ai Ni,
Kelly Chen - Ji Shi Ben,
Zhou Chuan Xiong - Huang Hun

Five people to whom I am passing the baton:

Ayo, don't have much people to pass lei.... can those kanna, kanna again?

Zann
Jennifer
Carol
Kelly (was told not to reveal her URL)
Janice
Ting

That's all, folks!

Damn lucky Gunners

My brother had being his irritating self lately as being an Arsenal fan, he kept talking big that how his team were going to run all over Manchester United, scoring 4-5 goals against them. He keep talking about it in my father's car when we were driving towards Old Airport Road Hawker Centre for our brunch. We had the sinful kwey chup and rojak for brunch.

On our way back home, he continues boasting on how the Gunners will win. I then ask him to go and check his bank account if Arsene Wenger had deposit some pounds in his account!



Freddy Ljungberg whom just recovered from a heavy bout of tatooitis clear a RVN effort from the line.

Watched the live telecast of the FA Cup Final. Well, my brother's prediction didn't come true as Man Utd was all over Arsenal. Attacks after attacks but Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy fail to beat the in-form Jens Lehmann, thus the best team paid the price for a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat.


Jose Antonio Reyes should be sent off much earlier but the kuku referee Rob Styles only decide to send him off at the 120 minutes. Sigh!


Jens Lehmann saves Paul Scholes's penalty


Poor Wayne Rooney whom did all his best can only see and cannot touch the trophy.

The kuku Arsene Wenger says: "'I am very proud (what there to proud?) because it was a difficult game. Offensively we didn't create (should be we didn't create at all), we played a bit more cautious (we played defensive and waiting for the penalty kicks). I feel Manchester United had a strong period in the second half (shouldn't be throughout the match?) . It is bad for the team that loses (that shouldn't lose, we should) like that but it was a very intense game."

Does woman borne with erratic behavior?

It was as usual at work, still the mood to laze around embrace me, furthermore it started raining heavily around 15 minutes after I step into the office and I just can't go ahead to do my job (that is, surfing the Internet, reading soccer news and reading blogs) The network was down, therefore MSN, ICQ was 'dead' and the loading of websites were far too slow and will end up in timeout error.

Therefore, as usual, I went for my tea-break (breakfast) anyway, I'll go even if the network was well and working.

During my tea-break, I did meet up or should say bump into 2 person at the canteen. One is my friend - Maydeline whom was a qualified teacher now after completing her course at NIE. Managed to catch a glimpse of her from afar as I was seated quite far from the drink stall, but she manage to "disappear into thin air" soon after. Later I did SMS-ed her to confirm that it's her as she was here for a talk.

The next person was sitting along the same table as me. He was a student from China whom I kinda 'befriend" when I was kinda conned into MLM by one of my buddy and he was task to assist me to sell the magnetic mattress (which I have 2 in my room, one on my bed and another on my brother's bed) to my relative, although he was damn persuasive but it still fail to move my relative. I was so malu that day. Well, it's my foolishness some time ago.

Well, I acted as if I had never seen him before but I do notice that he did took a few glance at me, he might have thought - 'Hey, this guy looks familiar!'. Aya, no matter he's still in MLM anot, he was just my friend for a mere few hours.

Back at office, the network was still down and there were nothing much I could do. Then, I overheard a news from my colleagues' discussion that someone had resigned and was clearing her leave now. Then, a shell-shocked me remembered that I just met her at the lift during knock-off time (ya, the girl that I kanna electric shock)

I will never forget how I befriend her.

We were at the same bus-stop as we wait for our bus to go home, I would peep at her but no balls to no approach. Then, I found out which office she work, when she came borrow equipement from me, I would appear shy.

Then one day, I decided that I should do something, I search for her name in the ICQ network and manage to find her. I added her and await her approval but wait long-long also no news. Thus, I email her and she replied (amid shocked) and then we started to chat on ICQ. From her, I found out that she was happily attached. *sob*sob*

But we remains as friends, chatting over ICQ then MSN to kill off time during work. When I switch over to my new duties, I would get a chance to work together by revamping her centre's website. When I was told that she going to ROM, my heart did cracked a little. *sob*sob*

Finally, we get to collaborate a few time for the revamping of her centre's website.

Recently, another staff was transferred to her centre to take over the updating of her centre's website. I was wondering, why the change? Well, now I know....... anyway, manage to MSN with her this afternoon and found out that she wanted a change in working environment and got herself a new job.

Sigh, wish her all the best in her new job!

Wasted effort

After 2 days of hardwork working on the farewell KTV video for our dean, I gave my best and the subtitles that I've added just refuse to appear during encoding thus I recommended to play the edited file using PC or a notebook.

I gave my short presentation to the office gals (used this word in a polite way as I should have used the word "aunties") whom will be singing the song in the farewell dinner.

"Good, good, good. Well done!" exclaimed the gals. When I told them that the file need to be play on a PC or notebook as the file cannot be burned into a VCD. "Huh!" they exclaimed but they still keen on using my creation. Then came the only-male in the office whom just came back with his packeted lunch.

He said: "It would be better if it works the same as the KTV VCD where we can switch the audio to music except the singer will come in during the chorus."

I tell him that I can try encode a new file with the recorded KTV version audio and he urges me to give it a try as it would be better!

Thus I went back to my desk and tries the encoding, however the image is always faster than the music thus making it out-of-sync. Arrrrgggh....... I listen to the Westlife's Seasons of the Sun that my hair will stands when the music starts. One can't listen to the same song too many times.

After multiple attempts, I still fail to solve the out-of-sync problem. The guy called me on my extention, he says: "Leonard, you're still working on it?"

I told him that I've tried my best but it was still out-of-sync. Then, the bombshell came. He said: "I think it's not required as we decided to use back the original KTV VCD."

TMT, that's means all my efforts of these 2 days are wasted, although I'm kinda devastated but in the end, I manage to learn to use the new softwares to add subititles to video file, thus I'm 90% fit to become a pirated disc maker. more open to video editing softwares.

Anyway, times flies and it was knock-off time again. While boarding the lift down to the car-park, I bump into one of my female colleague, while, I kanna electric shock from her, well, this is not the first time, it had been many (in fact, countless) times but it won't be possible between us as she's married.

As my hair was long, I must praise its super-fast speed of growing long thus I book an appointment for a hair-cut in my neighbourhood salon.

It seems that since starting this blog and my Taipei trip, I've become more camera-friendly in terms of presenting myself better infront of the camera-len as I know how to smile instead of a emotionless expression. Don't quote me as 'hiao' when you look at the following before & after photographs DIY taken with my E700A.

Well, it was the usual neighbourhood salon that I went to where 98% of the stylist are Malaysians. He (the stylist) as usual was friendly as he asked how was my day in his Malaysian accent Chinese. It was enjoyable chatting while he cuts my hair, I tends to find that Malaysian are kinda more friendly people. We discussed about my oily problem, which he suggested that I should at least wash my hair twice per day to counter the problem if not I'll be balding in no time. I have decided to heal his advice from tomorrow.

Looking at the pictures above, you would have thought. "You got cut your hair meh?" Of course got lar, trim here and there to make it more neater and manage-able. It had been a problems for years that nobody would have noticed that I had a hair-cut unless a closer look.

Do you know that I was the favourite of my form-teacher during the "long hair catching" activity, she would says: "Chee Kiong, come here. (as she pull my fringe down from my gel hair) Tomorrow cut already come and see me." Then, I found out that her husband has the same Chinese name as me.

Hahaha!

Why this happens to me???

It was a cloudy day in the morning and indeed it transform into a rainy day.

For me, it's getting back to my desk and continue my video editing job.

Although I did followed the instructions found in the Internet but during encoding, the subtitles that I've added just refuse to appear. After much attempts which I nearly out pull my hair, I decided to give up and tell my boss that it could only be played using a PC. Anyway, she wasn't angry with me as she asked me to demo to her tomorrow using my laptop, well guess she's in a ORD-ing mood. Hehehe...

Since this issue was kinda settled, the rest of the day was kinda relaxed, working at my own pace in the cool weather. How times flies as soon, it was already knock off time. Hehehe....

Hey, I guess I forget to mention that my mother's picture was on Monday's TODAY. I was told by my brother when I return home on Monday. Well, it was an article on Chinese doctor and my mother happens to be her patient that day when the reporters came. She agreed to have her side+back view photographed. Woah.... not bad ah.... hehe

After my night lesson at SIM, my low-fuel light came up and I went to the nearest Shell station (next to Bukit Timah market and Ngee Ann Poly) to top up. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I see the board outside displayed just a mere 5% discount. I decided to try my luck along Bukit Timah as there are many petrol stations along the stretch.

To my horror, they are also displaying 5% discount board. From what I remembered, it was still 12% discount on Saturday but as I wanted to do up my speedometer on Sunday which thus will reset my mileage, thus I just pump $10 of petrol. Alamak!

Sigh~ and now for just a mere 38.72 litres of Shell95, I paid a total of $56.06 after 5% discount. This is considered the most expensive petrol that I've pumped!

When I reached home and use my PC, my kuku Logitech optical mouse hang on me again. Enough is enough! I'm not going to squeeze below my table again to remove the USB and re-insert to release the hang.

No choice, LL had to revert back to PS2 normal Logitech wheel-mouse, although the movement won't be so smooth but at least it won't hang on me. Hehe....

So sinful of me, as my brother went to tabao roti prata back, I also went to pinch a few piece to eat.... Sigh!

I over-worked!

Throom, throomm, throoommm.....

The sound of thunder filled up the skies around 5:00am, strong wind blows and the rain falls from the skies. It rained early in the morning and it sets the greatest environment for sleeping.

ZzZZZZzzzzzzz.............

"Dididi.....dididi.......dididi.......dididi......" my alarm clock goes off as usual at 7:40am, although it's just drizzling, but the environment for sleeping is still well set. No choice, I can't laze around again as I need to eject myself off my bed and get myself ready for work.

Back at office, the cool weather again set the environment for slacking the whole day away, however, my planning didn't get to materialise as my out-going boss gave me a call as she has an ah-hoc job for me as there will be a dinner for my out-going dean this Thursday. Those attended will be singing a song for him, and they will be singing an edited version of Westlife's Seasons In The Sun. They have the original KTV *.dat file and I was tasked to edit the *.dat file into one embedded with the edited lyrics. As I was fighting for my chance of promotion, LL had to agree that I tried it out as I never done it before.

When my out-going boss came down to my office and pass me the KTV *.dat file with her thumb-drive, she notice the A World Without Thieves poster and Hebe's wallpaper. She exclaimed: "Oh, that must be your idol?" As I pointed out that Andy Lau was my idol, I do kept my identity as an Andy Lau "super" fan quite low profile. Not much friends know about my AndyLauSounds. Hehehe...

Anyway, attached below is the edited lyrics, so sweet of them to sing to the out-going dean

Good bye to you my our trusted friend
We've known each other
Since we were nine or ten NTI began
Together we've climbed hills and trees
Learned of love you and abcs CSE
Skinned Sing our hearts and skinned our knees so carefree

Good bye my our friend it's hard to die part
When all the birds are
Singing in the sky
Now that spring is in the air
Pretty girls Challenges are everywhere
Think of me us and I'll we'll be there

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed
Were just seasons out of time

Good bye papa [his name] please pray for me us
I was We were the black sheep of the family cheeky ones of CEE
You tried to teach me right from wrong
Too much wine food and too much song
Wonder how I we got along

Good bye papa [his name] it's hard to die part
When all the birds time you are
Singing in the sky So nice to us
Now that the spring is in the air you have leave your chair
Little children everywhere We send our blessing over there
When you see them I'll be there This is what we want to share

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone

Yeah yeah yeah

Good bye Michelle my little one [his name] our friend
You gave me love and us work yet
Helped me us find the sun
And every time that I was we were down
You would always come around
And get my our feet back on the ground

Good bye my [his name] it's hard to die part
When all the birds are singing in the sky With heavy feelings in our hearts
Now that the spring is in the air you are leaving us
With the flowers everywhere this song we sing today
I We wish that we could both be there blessings everyday

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed
Were just seasons out of time

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone

Thus, for the whole day I was searching like mad in the Internet for any software and guides for my task. In the end, with my past experience I manage to find several online tutorials and software to try and error.

In the end, the softwares that I used were Subtitles Workshop, ffdshow, TMPGENC and Advanced MP3/WMA recorder. I finally manage to get something worked out but looking at the clock, hey, it's already knock off time. Continue tomorrow.

In between, the dean secretary emailed me several pictures and told me that I also need to create another video clip. Darn...I'm no superman as I reply asking her: "May I know what's the purpose of sending me all the pictures?" The secretary then called me and tell me: "blah, blah here, blah blah there, blah here and there!" Luckily I did cc: (copy) my replied email to my out-going boss and she called back telling me to ignore her emails. Heng ah, rescue me sia!

Wasteful Sunday

Although I didn't drink much alcohol for my clubbing at China Black, my face isn't red but my eyes are. However, I still manage to keep a clear mind and drive Kelly home, of course myself home too.

Upon reaching home, already past 2:00am, I quickly remove my contacts and changed to my sleeping gear before jumping onto my bed, within minutes I was in my dreamland due to the alcoholic after-effects. It looks a blink of an eye as the sun rises as it's already morning as I still wants to laze on my bed, looks like alcoholic after-effects is the only way for me to want be laze on bed. Geeee....... with the persistent reminder from my father that it's time for the "disco-boy" or so-called "bird free from the cage" to wake up, I tuck my bolster aside and eject myself off bed to wash up.

We went to have our brunch at Maxwell Food Centre as me and my brother order a gaint plate of curry rice each. While eating, a group of teenage girls walked past our table and I overheard them asking, (pointing to the Peanut Soup stall's signboard) "What's peanut soup?" I burst into laughters inside myself, I was thinking, doesn't the title says it all? Sigh~, later I see the group of girls queuing up for curry rice, I was thinking if they asked each other - "what is curry rice?" Haha..

Went back home to have a few matches of Champions League on PS2, once again, I was thrashed by him.... my shooting is damn 'shoot bird', I just cannot score and couldn't stop his flowing football. It seems I needed more training session, gotta take a few days leave to play train at home....hahahahaha....

I was totally demoralise after being thrash by him, thus went on to watch TV programme instead. However, the slight hangover get back to me again as I can fall asleep on the sofa. I think I manage to sleep for almost 1 hour before the heat is too unbearable for me that I spring myself up from the sofa.

Then, I went downstair to work on the modification of my car's speedometer. I've already changed it to red, but I bought a few new bulbs and "condoms" (red bulb cover) in hope that it could be brighter and better. Thus, I drove my car to the covered carpark of Jurong East Sports Complex to start working on it. Luckily, I bought extra "condoms" as the old one were too sticky on the old bulbs thus hard to remove. Careless me, I did cut the inner of my left thumb. Ouch! Well, I did manage to complete the modification in 1 hour? The end effects, erm..the red seems fuller but not that much of brighter. Darn~

During the modification, I did explore and learn how to dismantle the whole speedometer but just that when I see the face plate, it doesn't seems to be able to scrap off the green coating as it will sure enhance the effect, too bad! I also learn how to dismantle the centre part where the gear stick are. Had to find the bulb to replace it to red too, will try to find in Sim Lim Tower when I've time.

Went back home and wanted to watch a DVD, but looking at the clock, it seems late thus I forgo the idea. I need to test the DVDs quick as I think I need to bring all the faulty DVDs back for exchange.

When night falls, it's time to catch the last EPL matches of the season. Can you believe it, I could fall asleep after half-time when I watch the live telecast of Manchester United verus Southampton. Sigh~

Homeless butterfly

"Dididi..dididi..dididi...dididi....dididi..."

It's 7:40am, my alarm goes off as usual, I stretch my hand to push the "de-activate" button and close my eyes yet again.

"You can't sleep anymore!" my brain telling me, thus I push away my bolster and pick my body off the bed, then I tidy up my pillow lying against the bolster. Off I go as I drift myself along the marble floor to the kitchen.

Standing at the basin, I pick my toothbrush, applied the toothpaste and begins to brush my teeth. After several rounds of brushing, I rinse my mouth with tap water. Sprinkle some water on my face, wet the towel and dry it and wipe my face. I'm totally wash-up as I finally regain my senses.

Looking out of the window, it was still drizzling, finally it wasn't the opposite of sunny day. The weather is so cooling that if I were to go back to my bed, I can migrate into my dreamland once again. but I can't, me need to go to work as I quickly get dressed and "sneak out" of the house in order not to wake the rest of the family from their dreams.


It was still drizzling in the morning


A man in blue shirt carrying umbrella walking past

After a a hectic day yesterday, I would rather opt for a monotonous day as with the cool weather, going SLOW is the right choice. SLOW, yes, slowly as I walk down the stairs back to office after breakfast, I see a "brown thingy" taking a rest.


"brown thingy" taking a rest

I see it again during lunch-time, I see it again when I going down the stairs after putting my past achievements into the pigeon hole of my out-going boss for my promotion nomination.

I asked it: "Hey buddy, lost your way home?"


The big brown butterfly #1


The big brown butterfly #2

It answer me: "I'm homeless! My home is flooded and I'm not sure how I fly in here and since I resting or rather trapped in here, I shall take it as my home for the moment!"

Of course I made up the conversation above, I don't have the "power" to talk to a butterfly. Chey, many of you will be saying that now.

Anyway, 3 white huge envelopes in the mailbox are for me, as mentioned yesterday, I've recieved the cards from Citibank! Cheers!

Thus, it's always good to try your luck by filling the application form during road show, the chances are very high. Try it!

What a hectic day

Suddenly wake up from my sleep, check my clock, it reads 1:45am. Hey, didn't I just sleep like one hour ago. Never mind, I still have 1 hour of sleep before the live telecast of Manchester United verus Chelsea starts. The next moment I wake up again to check my clock, already 3:45am, quickly dragged myself off my bed to catch the second half telecast of the match. Sigh, it was 1:1 at halftime but in the end, champions Chelsea put another 2 goals away and won the match 1:3. Went to sleep for another 2 hours before waking up to get ready for work.

Today is yet again a complete opposite of the day before, it's no rain at all and a damn hot, sunny and humid day. I wonder how many patients are waiting to see the doctor at the clinic with such devasting changes in weather for each day of the week.

Life at work had been too monotonous for the past weeks. However, today is an exceptional as it's been a hectic day.

The day started with me pushing the "ON' button to power up my PC in the office, after logging into WindowsXP, I went to check the normal websites. Ever since I started reading blogs, I've several Singaporean's blog that I'll check. You should check out Ting's and Jan's blog, they seems to arm themselves with cameras at all times thus able to provide their blog entries with tons of photographs. Anyway, my blog habits is still under-wraps thus have to take photographs carefully and not be discovered. Should learn more from the gals.


Jan and Ting

After back from my usual breakfast, was told by my colleague that I was wanted in the multimedia room to help a FYP student transfer from his video cam. Immediately rushed over, came back from office and was informed that I was wanted by another person in a research centre, passed me the latest information to update on the conference that they're going to held. After all coast is clear, I continue to work on my homework. It was rather easy work again as I can re-use 90% of the answer I did 2 years ago. Hehehe....hope I can score again.

In between, I recieved a SMS from M1 customer service, it reads: Yr GIRO appl. is approved. Pls continue to pay by cash/cheque until GIRO effective deduction date is shown in your bill. Then, I was wondering that I didn't applied for GIRO, I called up 1627 and was told that I've a M1-Citibank Card thus the GIRO thingy. Woah, that means that my Citibank credit card application was approved, yet I see nothing from the mailbox. Hmmm...

As my colleague passed me another set of magnets from old hardisks, thus I went to take the nuts and screws required in order to fix in the fuel line of my car. However, one of the hole is too small and need to be drill but no matter how hard I tried drilling, it just won't goes through. Thanks to the help of my fatty colleague, the hole-issue is settled as he laments that my drilling skills is not forceful for the drill to go through, no wonder I failed my Technical in secondary school.

Had a meeting in the late afternoon, regretted going because as usual it's all the old-timers does all the talking as I tried my best to keep myself awake. It was rather a disastrous 2 hours for me. Back in office, my out-going boss called me and told me that I could be nominated for promotion and asked me to do a write-up of my achievements (12/5/2005, 1:59PM - what am I doing now, blogging instead of writing my achievements?)

Desserts warms your day

Today is the complete opposite of the day before, cloudy skies and then heavy rain right till evening before it stop raining. I do remember when successive thunder and lightings are so strong that it cause the window of my office to "shake", imagine the impact.

Nevertheless, nothing (much) interesting happened for the day. Had fried bee-hoon for dinner, guess what, it was cooked by my father. His fried bee-hoon taste abit better than my mum's, my brother was singing praise and my dad quipped: "Wait till you ate my hor fan!" Anyway, I don't remember he cook hor fan for us before, let's wait for the day to come.

Well, my mum didn't laze around either. As it was a cool day, she prepared a hot dessert for us. I didn't check out the pot until it was served. It's barley, ginkgo seed (白果) and a sticky transparent unknown ingredient.

My mum revealed that herself don't remember what's the name of the mystery ingredient as she bought it in Taiwan's night market, she was told that the ingredient can be used in desserts thus she test it out tonight.

However, this unknown ingredient doesn't taste nice and it make the dessert more 'solid' thus it will fill your stomach to the extent. I struggle and didn't finish it which I normally finish whatever dessert my mum cooks and even ask for round 2. Haha...

I went to sleep after I feel that the dessert had digested from my stomach as I gonna catch some sleep first before I wake up later to catch the live telecast of Manchester United verus Chelsea at 2.50 am.

Disastrous lunch for outgoing boss!

Today is the complete opposite of the day before, no rain at all and a damn hot, sunny and humid day.

With the seafood Mother's Day celebration dinner last night, I'm going to have a big and good meal in lunch today as my office will be having a kinda farewell lunch with our outgoing boss. We had made a table reservation at the Staff Club Resturant. One of my colleague fails to come and join us as he had to attend a seminar at the last minute. Thus, the number of people sharing the bill had reduced to 5.

I had to drive my car as I need to lobang this former colleague - Chester whom had resigned to start on his own business but eventually return but in a different department. He also happens to be my former camp-mate. His first words to me were: "Hey brother, what happen to you? You seems to put on weight!" I answered: "Sigh! How am I not putting on weight when I just keep eating?"

Anyway, the lunch was rather disastrous as it look rather like a vegetarian meal, not much meat at all. The dishes that were in the set are fish maw soup, yi fu noodle, a mixed vegetable with tofu, cold dishes with miserable few slice of duck meat, cabbage with mushrooms, sea cucumber, a steam fish and guess what's the dessert, it's red bean soup!

All the dishes taste bland and looked boring, we have left-overs and I can't bring myself to eat anymore. Chester was whispering to me: "Hey, how come no meat?" The shocking part comes later as we have to pay $26 each, if my calculator is not fooling me, it's a total of $130. Wait a minute, compare with the dishes that my father ordered at Jumbo Seafood last night which have fried seabass, fried yu-tiao, sambal mussel, hongkong noodle, chilli king crab, sambal kang kong, fried buns and longan beancurd, I paid $113.80 (of course minus off 10% membership discount, thus original total should be $126.40) It's still cheap when compared to this lunch. *shake head*

The lunch drains off all my intention to work as I spend the rest of the day to complete Part V of my Taipei trip.

Upon reaching home after work, immediately runs to the bathroom for shower. The weather was real humid which cause me to sweat all over resulting a sticky body. Went to China Square Food Centre to eat the Blanco Court Fried Fish Soup with rice, it had been ages that I eat it. As usual the place was rather deserted as only the popular stalls survived. Then we went to Fast East Square which was across the street to enjoy a cup of teh tarik at MR Tek Tarik.

While on our way back to the carpark at China Square Central. We notice that bright spotlights were shining across the street in front of Looking Through Windows (LTW) at Club Street. Predicting that MediaCorp TV could be location shooting there thus we jay walk across to peek a boo. No actors nor actressess were spotted less an extra lady sitting on the chair reading a book and a waiter. Then, when the traffic is clear and block by the marshals, a lady in red dress runs down the street as if she was searching for someone. Then, I find out that the lady in red is Wong Lilin.

She looks great in person, and the fact is, she don't look like one whom had given birth just a few months ago. She got her figure back already. Thus, I quickly take out my handphone and took 2 shots, it's kinda blur as I took the pictures with zoom and its just a Samsung E700A.

Anyway, we didn't stay long and we walk away before she finish shooting. Don't ask me what drama she was filming (like my gf asked me), I answer that I didn't go across the street to ask the director. Just watch out on your TV if this scene appears in the near future.

Happy Mother's Day!

The day has a cooling start as it started to rain early in the morning, the weather was so cooling that I almost refuse to get myself off my bed...anyway I did as I'm not that kind of person that could laze on bed all day, by all means I would get up from my bed when the sun shines unless (should be a very BIG UNLESS) that I'm very tired which seldom happens...

Went to the 3rd storey food court at IMM for brunch and happens to see the Channel U's Project Superstar 【绝对Superstar】 stage, it was set for the audition of female contestants. Initially I thought it was still open for registration and had the urge to go and register myself, but I drop the idea after seeing that all girls went through the registration counter and I just keep 'my balls' in my home's refrigerator, furthermore I'm dressed in polo-tee and bermudas. Lucky I didn't go forward and ma lu myself. Hengz...

Talk about the contestants that I saw, all young teenagers, accompanied by mothers, boyfriends and friends. Some dressed quite exaggerating. There was one very tall and fair lady (obedient office girl type) whom was having her meal with her boyfriend (looks obedient also in shirt and pants, wear specs somemore). Then, my mum notice that the lady might also be one of the contestants as she going to wear a necklace, then I notice what's the purpose of the necklace liao, to cover a love bite on her neck...hahaha...

Didn't stay for the audition as I head for home after the meal although it was still raining.

When I back home, I quickly on my PC to blog about Friday and Saturday. When I selected Publish Post, the stupid blogger chose to auto-log-me-out after I spent around 2 hours to blog on Friday, it told me to re-login first which I did, then all I've typed is gone....even I tried my best to click Back on my IE, it fail to retrieve the texts, even I click on Recover post, it just managed to recover the first few sentences. Damn....

Anyway, I went downstairs to shift my car from outside carpark to the carpark below my block. However, when I was wiping my car dry, I felt water spraying onto me, however I thought that maybe I step on some water and spray onto me. Then I could feel water being sprayed onto my collar. Then I realise that someone was spraying water on me. I looked around and there was nobody around me, then I spotted some head keeping popping out of the window on the 3rd storey. The window and grills are painted brown, with the same skin colour, sometimes its hard to see if your eyes are playing tricks on you. The little 'brown' boy must have been shooting me with his water gun. Can't understand that such mischievous boy existed!

Went back home to watch After the Sunset DVD, again there are problems to the disc. For most of the scenes, the talking and sound comes slower than the action which is rather irritating. However, I still endure to watch the show, well, the DVD disc finally decided to hang at chapter 18. Sigh, another casualty of the purchase from Very Clear Video....what a contradicting shop name.

Since it was Mother's Day, I decided to give my family a treat....finally, all these years my dad had been footing the bill for all occassions. My mum suggested that we go Jumbo Seafood at East Coast, yes, yet again the same place for any occassion celebration is chosen. However, the place is under upgrading thus one part of the seafood centre is closed while the Jumbo section will close for upgrading works in July when the other side's work is completed.

As we arrived there rather late, around 9:00PM thus the crowd had already left therefore no need to wait for seats. From the below picture, did you see the little boy which was arrowed by me, think the family is Japanese as the little boy (think around 14-15 years old) took a few $50 notes from his wallet to foot the bill. Must learn from this young lad sia!

I let the task of ordering to my parents as he ordered fried seabass, fried yu-tiao, sambal mussel, hongkong noodle, chilli king crab, sambal kang kong, fried buns and longan beancurd. Total damage is $113.80. I think it's a very overdue treat that I should gave my mother, she deserve it.

Hazy and waxy

08/05/2005, 3:59PM - Dammn it, after spending around 2 hours typing the entry, I select Publish Post and it prompt me to log-in first, then everything gone, now had to re-type again.

It has been rather a boring week and finally it's coming to an end.

To add to boring mood, the skies was even hazy, however it did bother to rain in the afternoon to cure the haze. Actually I refer the rain to the sky "crying" for the funeral for our former president - Dr Wee Kim Wee.

Anyway, I did mention in the previous day's post that I'm going to watch House of Wax today and was tasked to book the tickets. At 05/05/2005, 11:25:33PM my friend Rick SMS me - So how ... Is e tickets booked? I replied - No, now booking. dont know which cinema as I was pondering which cinema to select since the cheapest cinema Cathay Cineleisure Orchard is not showing. I made a decision to book GV Grand as I'm paying $9.50 thus I opt to watch in a better cinema.

Thus I send a confirmation SMS to him - Hi, tickets for house of wax were booked at GV grand @ 910pm. Then at 06/05/2005, 01:49:49 AM, he replied - Ok no prob , by then I was already on my bed preparing to sleep, he sms me again at 06/05/2005, 01:50:26 AM, Wat is e price of tickets btw? Any increase in price? As I was half-way into my dreamland, I lazy and just reply - Yes 950

Early in the morning, he sms me at 06/06/2005, 08:06:26AM Is it 910 or 950? So I replied him - 910 and he replied Ok at 06/06/2005, 08:08:47 AM.

So you think it'll be the end of the issue, he sms me again at 06/05/2005, 06:17:45PM, Double confirm 910 right? Thus I decided to suan him - Yes, you sound like a woman, so lor sor

He replied at 06/05/2005, 06:19:58PM, I dun wan to be late ma. I didn't bother to reply him again. Sigh! This is my friend.

So how was the movie - House of Wax? To me, it was pretty good and interesting as it keep me glue to the seat to catch what will happen next. Actually I also need to be alert and not caused too much reaction when being scared by the sound effect if not I will get tease by my gf as "timid" again. Before the show starts, my gf even tease me that I should warned Rick's gf whom was seating on my right to beware as later I'll sacred her with my reaction (a sudden shake of my chair). Actually I was being "scared" by a few scenes' sound effect however I think I've kept myself calm and didn't create any major reaction thus my gf didn't tease me after the show that I was scared or whatsoever. Anyway, after the show both gfs were discussing how some scenes were gross, chey, issit gross? I don't think so!

I think that the movie is good enough and worth watching, whereas my gf says "not nice!" (Since when she say the show is nice, since it's free, just watch lor! comment so much!) As I never watch the original before thus I can't compare. Anyway, the show has some candy to the eye, guys can feast your eyes on Elisha Cuthbert and Paris Hilton while gals can see Chad Michael Murray. However, I think Elisha is far too short when standing with the other cast, but chio, to me... I like this kind of girl.


Elisha Cuthbert


Chad Michael Murray


Paris Hilton

After the show, we parted company while I and my gf went for supper at Geylang. Initially my gf suggested to eat the mian xian but I counter suggest to eat the frog porridge as it was so long ago that I ate, I think since I came back from Genting on 28 Dec 2004. I order the small claypot and asked for more sauce but it was fall on deaf ear by the stall-owner. As it was getting late, we quickly finish our meal and head for home (that is, send gf home and I go home myself) It has been more than 24 hours that I last since bath, guess how sticky(my body) and oily (my hair) was..........Hahahaha..........

No mood to work sia!

The construction work had started in April when they start drilling the holes for the pole, when I leave for Taipei, they have already fix up the pole, however after a week back from Taipei and my one week leave. I was so surprise that the shelter is yet completed and still in such a raw stage. Furthermore, they started today to cut metals and all sorts thus creating noise and occassionally sparks can be seen from my office's window. So irritating! Just imagine how slow the constructor are!

I think it must be too long off my work thus I always doesn't have the mood to work as I would slowly do abit and carry on with my CM5 game. Talking about CM5, I decided not to play it and revert back to playing FM2005. In between my work and gaming, I only have the mood to update on part V of my Taipei trip, therefore do wait awhile as I'll try to complete it and get it online ASAP.

Had a meeting with a colleague from a research centre this afternoon, the centre is going to have a conference and wanted to start a webpage. I asked for pictures from them, she don't have. Therefore, I think I've to crack my brains on the design for the page. I told her that I'll get back to her next week. However, before I leave the research centre, she asked me if I can show her a draft by tomorrow. Wah lau, I just tell her: "I try!" How to come out with the design when no pictures given and I completely have no idea at the moment, you know lar designing need 'lin gan' mah!

By the way, I've just booked tomorrow tickets for House of Wax at GV Grand. Although GV had raise their ticket prices but the show was not screened at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard. Inititally Suntec's Eng Wah was also one of the cinema that I considered , but since that I'm paying $9.50, shouldn't I watch it in a better cinema?

6D/5N Taipei trip part V

This blog was inspired from my recent Taipei trip from 13-18 April 2005. I wanted to record down the memories of the trip, so I think I better start blogging about it before auto-delete from my brain.

15 April 2005

Due to our wise decision to give LUXY in exchange for preparation for our sightseeing today, we manage to wake up early in the morning to wash-up and have our free breakfast at the 2nd storey of Kilin Hotel. The resturant looks very old and the variety of food is kinda pathetic, so does the taste of the food and the service of the stuffs. We quickly took a few "eatable" food to fill our stomach. We also seize the chance to transfer our photographs from our CF/SD cards into Rick's portable multimedia player/hardisk. Well, this was our first and only free breakfast in Kilin Hotel.


The buzzy street outside Kilin Hotel

As planned, our sightseeing locations today are Leofoo Village and Window on China. Stepping out of Kilin Hotel, we head into the 7-Eleven as usual to buy our drinks. While we were searching for a taxi, an Altis taxi was parking just outside the 7-Eleven. We approached him to ask if he can bring us to Leofoo Village, he hesitate for a while and seems to help us search for another taxi. Within seconds, he told us that he'll be driving us to Leofoo Village and was told by him that Window on China is just next to it thus we can go to both places. He told us that since both places will be rather deserted and hardly any sight of taxi, he counter offer to us that he'll be accompany us for the trip, meaning he drives us there and wait till we finished and drive us to the next place before back to the hotel for a rather hefty price of NTD$2,500 (around SIN$133). We had a short discussion and decided that no time should be wasted thus we accept his offer.

Again, I was the front passenger while the two get to sleep at the rear seats, unlike me had to chit chat with the taxi driver.

As Leofoo Village is located in Hsinchu County, out of Taipei, the drive from Kilin Hotel is about 45 minutes to 1 hour plus. Upon reaching around 12:00pm, we found out that it's true that there're hardly any sight of taxi nor public transport. However, there were many tour buses parked there. Initial planning was the taxi driver to follow us to the theme park but he told us that he'll wait for us outside instead, thus we discuss around how long we would stay in there and tell him to fetch us later. I also exchange contact numbers with him.


Picture of Leofoo Village #1


Picture of Leofoo Village #2

Leofoo Village's entrance fees was rather expensive as it cost NTD$890 (around SIN$47) each. The village is divided into several parts, there is Animal Kingdom, Arabian Kingdom, South Pacific and Wild West.


Picture of Leofoo Village #3 - Arabian Kingdom


Me & Arabian Kingdom in the background

We started off with Animal Kingdom. Well, nothing interesting here, just pure animals. Monkeys, camel, birds, horses, pony and white tigers (although the white tigers looked like the normal tigers we see in Singapore). Alamak, the white tigers are also taking their afternoon nap. From the crowd of the Animal Kingdom, now we understand why there were so many tour buses parked outside the village. There was an outing of elementary school students, therfore there were thousands of little boys and girls with their teachers in the village thus making it very crowded.


Picture of Animal Kingdom #1 - Orang Utan


Picture of Animal Kingdom #2 - Camel


Picture of Animal Kingdom #3 - Little monkeys


Picture of Animal Kingdom #4 - Sleeping "white" tigers

Next, we went into South Pacific. I was greeted by high mountain and dinosaur. If I didn't guess wrongly, it shall be the Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure. Rick suggested that we go take the ride, I and Simon agree to his suggestion as it is FREE. Thus, we join the long queue with the students. Frankly speaking, my heart abit of nervous as this will be my first ever ride since donkey years ago that I took the Viking in East Coast.


Picture of Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure #1

Let me describe to you how the ride works, you're on a boat with only handles, you'll make a round trip and slowly goes up the stairs, I think around 2-3 storey height, then u drop against the force of gravity in fast speed to be welcome by splash of water, that's the first round, you'll go another round and this time much higher, at most 5 storey height. Meanwhile, a camera was installed at the second drop and you could purchase the photo.


Picture of Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure #2


Picture of Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure #3

We waited for about 30 minutes before reaching our turn. Although we see the student armed with rain coat but we decided to take the ride just with our own clothes (frankly speaking, we are not sure where to buy the rain coat!) I and Simon took the front seats while Rick took the back seats. The ride started off slowly and we were chatting in a relax manner, even when the boat was going upwards for the first round, we're still relaxed. Until we reached the top and off we drop. To me, the pulling force was so great that my buttock was off the boat, thanks godness I hold tight to the side handles or would I be flying in the sky? Although I didn't shout or scream but my mouth was open apparently saying "Woooooah!" When we reached the bottom, we were welcome by splash of water.

So we get ourselves ready for the next round which will be higher. Even though with the first experience, round 2's pulling force was even greater so was the splashing of the water. We were totally drenched. Our photographs was taken and we went to the monitor to view and decide to buy one with frame each, total damage NTD$150.

As my thinning hair is wet, when I was leaving the Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure, one boy saw me and I heard him saying: "哇！好可怕！坐到头发都没了！？" I was thinking to myself: "他妈的！"


Pagoda’s Revenge

Next stop within the South Pacific, we went to try out Pagoda’s Revenge. For this ride, there was not much people queuing as it took just a 5 minutes wait for our turn. For this ride, we are buckle to the seats and we slowly being raised to a height of 53 feets off the ground (around 17 storey height), we are given around 20 seconds to view the beautiful sight before we are quickly brought back to ground level. For this ride, it wasn't as scary as the Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure but still can feel the counter pressure pushing my legs up. Phew!

After Pagoda’s Revenge, we exited from South Pacific and went into Wild West. Well, there aren't much interesting except some of the western houses that you would have seen in those cowboy shows. Thus, we stop by here and there to take some photographs.


One of the buildings in Wild West


A picture taken in Wild West (Did you notice my T-shirt is still wet?)


Me & the Screaming Condor


Here you have it - The Screaming Condor (see the curve at the end?)

However, we did try the ride in Wild West - Screaming Condor. It's a new attraction imported from Switzerland, the world's second and Asia's first U-shaped roller coaster. So how the Screaming Condor works? You're seated and well-buckled on the coaster train. In high speed, it goes to the tip of one end (which you'll be inverted in mid-air) and stationary for a mere 5-10 seconds for you to enjoy the view, then it moved backwards in high speed to the other end's highest tip, stationary for a mere 5-10 seconds for you to enjoy the view, then it moved forward in high speed to the other end's highest tip, this time round in a certain angle, stationary for a mere 5-10 seconds for you to enjoy the view, then it moved backwards in high speed to the other end's highest tip in a certain angle, stationary for a mere 5-10 seconds for you to enjoy the view, then it moved forward in high speed to the starting point.

It looks and sound scary (cause the PA system will be playing the screaming voices) but it isn't so, maybe we had selected the correct seats as we only get to experience one scary point, furthermore I was closing my eyes when the coaster train was stationary, you can call me coward but it was my first time and furthermore the view on my seat isn't much to see. The high speed was fast enough for you to grab hold onto the handlers tightly and pressure of racing against the wind.

Next, we went to the Arabian Kingdom to collect our Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure photographs. There aren't any attraction there, thus we call the taxi driver telling him that we are meeting him in about 15 minutes time.

Before we leave, we manage to catch a performance whereby the performer are foreigners, their performance was lying onto sharp metals and also a beautiful lady drop knife onto the body of her partner.


Beautiful lady performer


Beautiful lady drop knife onto the body of her partner.


End of performance

Soon we leave Arabian Kingdom and took some photographs. The students were also leaving at the same time, thus it was rather crowded as they kept hindering us to take pictures with them walking up and down.


Me standing outside the gate of South Pacific


Me & Simon standing outside the gate of Arabian Kingdom (see so many students!)

We also regretted that we didn't take any photographs of the entrance as it was so crowded when we were leaving.


The entrance/exit of Leofoo Village (see so many students!)


Me at the entrance/exit of Leofoo Village

We went to the souvenir shop, Rick and Simon manage to buy some souvenirs like key chains but I didn't manage to find anything I like. However, I did saw a white tiger cartoon T-shirt but it seems abit too big and childish, thus I gave it a miss.

So we hop into the Altis taxi and make our way to Window on China which is also called 小人国 as its attraction was famous scene and architecture models in Taiwan,China, Asian, European and American vividly displayed by 1/25 of the original size. Along the way, we stop by the shops to buy pancakes to fill our stomach and drinks to quench our thirst. When we reached, it was about 2:45pm, with the place closing at 5:30pm, we don't have much time as same as the previous venue, we quickly buy our tickets of NTD$590 ($30) each to view the models.


Picture of the models in Window on China #1


Picture of the models in Window on China #2

We started off with Asia, that is the models of famous scene and architecture in Taiwan and China. Thanks godness that the students didn't visit this place, thus the place was rather deserted. We separate ourselves to go and take photographs of each interesting models that we saw.


Me and one of the model in Window on China #1


Picture of the models in Window on China #3


Picture of the models in Window on China #4

We took almost 30-40 minutes to finish the Asia section, then I discover that my batteries were flat thus I bought new batteries at the store while we wait for a mini-train to drive us to Africa, Europe and America. We discover that there was a ride called Splash which was similiar to Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure but the difference is that it was even higher as it'll take you to the height of 12-storey before diving into water. Rick wanted to try but time was running out thus we drop the idea.


This is the Splash that I was talking about, it's much higher than Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure

Again we separate ourselves to go and take photographs of each interesting models that we saw. Rick even made an effort to photograph every model with descriptions. We were taking tons of photographs until batteries of Rick and Simon's camera runs out, my camera was the sole survivor, thus it always comes in handy when your camera runs on 4 AA batteries. However, my CF cards were full thus Simon passed to me the CF card from his Nikon camera.


Me and one of the model in Window on China #2


Me and one of the model in Window on China #3

Then I insert it into my Canon camera and start clicking away, Rick then ask me to help him take the photographs of the model and descriptions that he missed out. Occassionally, my camera gave me a CF card error but after several tries it manage to take the pictures. We took many photographs, including some which we had strange poses with the model. Then as I help to take a picture for them, my camera completely hanged, pressing any button won't help until I forcefully shut down my camera.


Me and one of the model in Window on China #4


Me and one of the model in Window on China #5


Picture of the models in Window on China #5

I restart my camera, to my horror, all the last minute taken photographs are gone, only remains the photos taken by Nikon camera. WTF, furthermore the PA announce that the place was going to close and last train back to the main gate was at 5:30pm. All of efforts were wasted. Nothing we could do as we rushed back to the train station. We caught the last train and went back to the Asia area, the place was totally deserted. We walked past the souvenir shop and manage to buy a few key-chains. One strange thing is that Taipei101 keychain can be bought at Window on China and not at Taipei101?

We meet up with the taxi driver and hop into his taxi for our way back to Taipei. Along the way, he drop us off to buy some 'tu chan' (local food delight). Along the way, we manage to catch some glimpse of the reowned 傧榔妹, well these are all those younger and scantily dressed rather than those aunties that we saw in Taipei. It was a eye-opener. Then the taxi driver tell us that one 傧榔妹 squatting infront of a car may not be wearing anything underneath thus we decided to try our luck at the next stall. But this particular stall's 傧榔妹 had attitude problem but we still buy a pack of ciggies from her.

As it was knock off time, thus the massive traffic jam on the highway, the taxi driver manage to turn here, there, left and right to get ourselves out of the jam. Along the way, Rick check with the driver if there are any places in Taipei that sells Hello Kitty stuffs and he suggest that he bring us to dinner and scout for Hello Kitty stuffs. However, Simon opt out as he wanted to go and buy some comics on his own.

Upon reaching Kilin Hotel, we asked him to wait downstairs while we bring our 'tu chan' back to our room. Thus, I and Rick follow him again for dinner. After boarding the taxi, we drove past Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, it looked so different at night with the lightings. However, we forget to bring our cameras out, if not can ask him to stop for me to take pictures. Sigh~

He drove us to this restaurant which is famous for its 擔仔麵 (Dan Zai Mian). He told us that it's the local food of the province of their current president Chen Shuibian. We ordered a bowl of 擔仔麵 each, a plate of chicken, veggies and fried eggs. The noodles taste good so are the rest of the food but a tag too oily. The toilet of the restaurant is also rather interesting with many chinese paintings....hahaha. I forget to get the namecard of the restaurant but doing some research on the Internet and found that it's called 好記擔仔麵 at Jilin No. 79 (台北市吉林路79號 ). Not sure if it's the one that I went to?

Next, he drove her to Shih Lin Night Market for Rick to search for his Hello Kitty stuffs. We walked round and round as though we lost our way, because the place is far more crowded as it's Friday. We manage to find a shop selling mainly all those products related to cartoon or Japanese animation, we went in and found the Hello Kitty stuffs. Damn lucky is Rick's girlfriend as he spend at least one hour inside the small and crowded shop while I and the taxi driver waited outside for him.

While waiting, I manage to walk around the shops to shop for a new pair of shoes and if there's any clothes that I can buy for my girlfriend. I manage to find some target but I didn't buy first as I would find better deal elsewhere for the rest of my trip?

Finally, the long-awaited Rick came out with all the ku-ku Hello Kitty stuffs that he bought....one big bag, not sure what he bought but I think it includes one set of pyjamas. Lucky girlfriend and caring boyfriend we have here, when will I be one?

As the clock clicks by, both me and Rick forget about Simon whom had bought his comics and left alone in Kilin Hotel until he SMS Rick as my mobile phone was off due to low battery. We quickly get back to the taxi in the car park and heads back to the hotel to meet Simon.

Upon reaching the hotel room, was kanna suan by Simon for awhile as I and Rick take a short rest. Within minutes, we are all gear up to go to LUXY to experience the night life of Taipei.

As we been to the place the previous night, we flag a cab and it sped off to LUXY at Chung-Hsiao East Road. We paid the NTD$700 (SIN$37) and board the lift up to the disco (aka China Black at Pacific Plaza, but I think it's only at the fifth floor). The place was considered quite grand, a 2-storey club. It was pretty crowded and the crowd ranges from teenagers to middle-age (that's us included) and a few ang-mohs spotted too.

At the time we reached, we also manage to see babes(hired dancers) dancing onstage. However, the music played was hip-hop (which is not of our liking as we prefer retro, but I do find the music is okay to me).

I only exchange for volka lime (save $$) while Rick and Simon ordered Long Island Tea for themselves. Basically we spent about 2 hours there, standing and sitting there like manequins as we feast our eyes on the babes walking here, there, everywhere. Then, we leave the place and flag a cab back to the hotel to rest for the next day's sightseeing. We want to set off early to Yangmingshan....

to be con't.....

Hails Luis Garcia!

John Arne Riise celebrates with goalscorer Luis Garcia tucked under his arm.

It was 2:30am and wasn't I just sleep on my bed around 12:10am? Anyway, I woke up with my brother to watch the live telecast between Liverpool and Chelsea in the 2nd leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Although none of the teams are my favourite team, I was just awake to see if Chelsea will be knock out! (just like the day when I was about to leave for Taipei)

The telecast started with a short briefing from the ESPN studio commentators and I decided to take a short nap until the match start liao I also dunno. Until my brother tap me and says: "Ah pui, Liverpool score liao lei!" I awake to see the replay of a helpless Gallas clearing the ball off the line but the goal still stands. The scorer is Luis Garcia! After that, I keep sleeping and waking up throughout the match. I finally awake when it's the last 10 minutes. Chelsea battles like hell but they just couldn't score even 6 extra minutes was added! Haha..finally some team to shut the mouth of the cocky Jose Mourinho.


Arjen Robben shows his frustration as he and boss Jose Mourinho leave Anfield defeated.

After the match, went back to the bed to sleep but takes some time as I've already sleep during the match. Soon, it was 7:40am and I've to wake up to get ready for work. Back in the office for the first day and had a meeting with my new and old boss, it's kinda a handing over meeting. Basically can see that the new boss is still very blur of his new task as it was his first time into E-learning. Hope he pick up the skills soon, it's not a good thing to have a blur boss!

Also finally managed to install Championship Manager 5 into the laptop to try. All my interest die off when the game menu comes up, everything looks so dead and square, even the players' stats are over a total of 100 (how to see?) I struggle for awhile and manage to get the game going, although the game-play graphics during the match is more nice but I still think Football Manager 2005 stands out more. Anyway, will give CM5 some time or not I'll switch back to FM2005 again.

Anyway, I think I have to confess that I'm very bad. As I was about to leave my desk for tea break, my colleague asked me on MSN if he can hitch a ride on my car to the nearest MRT station. Then, suddenly I thought - "wah lau, not again!", furthermore I want to blast the volume of my car's head-unit to Jolin Tsai's new album which I finally manage to get it play in the HU after burning 3 CDRs. Thus, I replied that I'm going out thus I cannot let him hitch my ride, the truth is that I've lesson and going home to rest. Ssssssh......

Today's lesson is the lecture of MZS301, dammn boring lecturer as he speaks so dull and slow, a tailor-made 催眠師 as he successfully put me into dreamland before the break for several times. After the tea-break plus the supplement of a cup of coffee, I didn't manage to sleep again but my hand itchy and become to draw on my lecture notes again. Towards the end of the lecture, I think even the PA system was 催眠 by him as it muffled awhile before the microphone totally 'goes on strike', no sound at all. Hahaha...

Endure.....endure until 10:00pm when the lecture ends, swiftly made an exit from the lecture hall and drive home.

Back home, my TZ209 TMA was marked and sent back to me by my tutor. It's the same question (with little differences) and same tutor marking. Thus, I've almost the same answers as 2 years ago and guess what's the score, just a mere 63. Two years ago I manage to score 76, Sigh~!

The last lazing day.....

Well.....today is the last lazing day at home before I resume work tomorrow. Boring...

Back in office would mean that I need to finish all the outstanding work, but I think it won't be much. Anyway, tomorrow will have a meeting with my new boss, will seize the chance to analyze what kind of boss he will be.

The thing to happy is that I can install my Championship Manager 5 on the laptop to try... Horray!

Today, played Champion League on PS2 again with my brother. My performance today is abit better as I only lose by the odd goal but I still can't find the tactic to score, I hope I can break my "losing streak" soon.

After my brother went out, I tested out the S.H.E DVD and it kinda played fine but it do stuck for a mere 10 seconds for the first songs. Then followed I wanted to watch Open Waters, to my horror, it's a cinema-recorded version. Dammn....I carried out test out Old Boy and WTF, the talking doesn't match the video actions, that is the voice comes about 5 seconds after the character's mouth moved. I tahan to watch for 40 minutes before I decided that it was enough.

This batch of DVDs were horrible.....Urrrrggghhh.....

6D/5N Taipei trip part IV

This blog was inspired from my recent Taipei trip from 13-18 April 2005. I wanted to record down the memories of the trip, so I think I better start blogging about it before auto-delete from my brain.

14 April 2005

Due to the exertion of previous day, we wake up later (past 10:00 AM) than we had expected, maybe due to us pulling up the curtains. Therefore, we missed our free breakfast and had to drop our initial plans of going to Yangmingshan. We went wash up and get ready for another brand new day in Taipei.

As usual, we will walk past the 7-Eleven and we will went right in to buy a bottle of drink each for our walk to Ximen MRT station. Along the walk, we have a feeling that the weather isn't as cool as the previous day. Passing by Ximen-ding, we decided that we have our breakfast there in a store. We ordered a bowl of beef noodles and fruit juice each.


A quiet Ximen-ding in the morning

After our breakfast, we walk our way towards the MRT station. Along the way, we spotted a Hello Kitty theme KTV thus I quickly snap some photographs.


Hello Kitty KTV in Ximen-ding


Hello Kitty KTV in Ximen-ding

Then Rick spotted a gift shop and thus begins his Hello Kitty search for his girlfriend. We waited for him for awhile (for some 20 minutes) before he come out of the shop with nothing bought. We bought the tickets to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall station. Yeah, we're going to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.


Picture of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall #1


Picture of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall #2


Picture of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall #3

Upon exiting the station, we suddenly feel that the weather is as cool as the previous day. Cheers, it's cooling and windy again! While we were taking photographs outside the memorial hall, we noticed that teenagers were training dragon dance, wonder what are they training for? Outside the memorial hall, we took lots of photographs of different views and angles before I realise that my first batch of 4 batteries runs out and I need to switch to new batteries.


Me at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall #1


Me at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall #2

Then we went inside the memorial hall to take photographs of the stature of Chiang Kai-Shek. I manage to sneak out and take some photographs of the other side of the memorial hall.


Stature of Chiang Kai-Shek



Me at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall #3 (from the top)


Photograph of the other side of the memorial hall


A dragon made up of cans. Can you believe it?

For once, I lost in touch with Rick and Simon. However, after some phone calls and searching, we found each other at the car of Chiang Kai-Shek and we took some photographs with the car.


One of the car of Chiang Kai-Shek


Me & one of the car of Chiang Kai-Shek

Since there was nothing much to see, we followed Simon's recommendation to go to National Palace Museum. Was told by him that it was walking distance from Shih Lin Night Market, thus we took the MRT train down to Jiantan station. We're kinda in a rush as it's already 3:30 PM that we reach Jiantan station and the museum closes at 5:00 PM sharp. We asked for directions from the location but was told that we need to take a cab to the museum rather than walk. As our stomach is "crying for food", we went to the nearest shop to buy 蔥油餅 (it's taiwanese roti prata with veggies and eggs at the bottom). After that, we took a Lancer taxi to the museum.


Outside of National Palace Museum


Inside of National Palace Museum

Upon reaching, to some certain disappointment that it was under-going some upgrading works. But we still quickly finish our 蔥油餅 before going into the museum. Simon spotted a sign that states general audience need to pay NTD 100 while Foreign and domestic student with student ID could have a discount fees of NTD 50. Therefore I and Simon show off our student card and paid the discount rate to view the museum.


One of the exhibits - it's a clock!


One of the exhibits


Yet another exhibits

There isn't much interesting unless you're very interested or keen in Chinese history but it was rather an eye-opener to see all the paintings, calligraphy, bronzes, ceramics, jades, and miscellaneous antiquities objects. We took several photographs of the items but flash was not allowed as it would damage the well preserved items.


As I was trying to take a picture of the wall, Rick came out of nowhere! Alamak!


Finally, nice taken picture!


A model of the museum

We stayed till the museum closed at 5:00 PM, I think we are the last few that leave the museum, except the staffs.

After National Palace Museum, I suggested that we go to Miramar Entertainment Park as it is utilized with shopping malls and Ferris wheel that will be sheen and dazzling in the evenings. Don't called me a 'mountain turtle', as I'm interested to see the Ferris wheel for the first time in my life. Therefore, we took a cab to Miramar Entertainment Park.


Simon and Rick walk into Miramar Entertainment Park without waiting for me.


The ferris wheel

It wasn't far from the museum as we reach Miramar Entertainment Park pretty fast. We make our way into the shopping mall. To be frank, there isn't much to shop as the stuffs on display looks boring and doesn't look cheap. Maybe my interest is the Ferris wheel and not shopping. Soon, we made our way to the top level where the Ferris wheel is. We ponder for awhile if we should take a ride at the Ferris wheel, while since we're here, why gave the Ferris wheel a miss which only cost a mere NTD$150. After buying our tickets, we head to take my first time ride on the Ferris wheel. There were no queues as nobody seems interested.


Me inside the ferris wheel #1


Me inside the ferris wheel #2 (look damn ku-ku)


A view of Taipei 101 from the ferris wheel

Well, after boarding the wheel, I can see why as we only get to see the aerial view of Taipei city again but not as high as Taipei 101. Talk about Taipei 101, we could see the building on the Ferris wheel. The ferris wheel is slow, nothing to cheer about whereas Simon and Rick were complaining that it's high...Erm......

After completing the 10-15 minutes ride, we wander around the top level of Miramar Entertainment Park for awhile as I wanted to wait for the skies to go dark and the Ferris wheel to be light up and thus I could take some pictures.


The ferris wheel lights up at night #1


The ferris wheel lights up at night #2


The ferris wheel lights up at night #3

After achieving what we are here for, we leave Miramar Entertainment Park and bored a taxi back to Ximen-ding as we hope to search for any 2-pin converters for our cameras' battery and mobile-phone chargers.

As our stomach was making noise, we bought fish balls from a road stall which could drip it in black pepper, curry and other sauce. After asking around, we went across the streets and manage to buy two 2-pin convertor for our cameras' battery charger and didn't manage to find any for our mobile-phone chargers as our mobile-phone chargers comes in 3-pins.

The fishballs certainly didn't fill our stomach as we head to a food stall and to have a proper dinner. Once our energy was "re-charged", Simon and Rick decide to fulfill their carve of buying, that is - comics. We scout around Ximen-ding but no comic shops can be found. However, we were told at a Neo-print shop that when we walk across several streets, we could come to one comic shop.

I think we walked for a very long distance as we also walk past Taipei Main Station (heng the weather was cool as we didn't drop any sweat!) until we follow our instinct and found one comic shop hiding inbetween the streets. As Rick and Simon are comic fanatics and not me, while they took their time to chose what to buy, poor me had to wait by wandering around the streets and puffing away.


The cover of the magazine I bought in the bookshop

I think they took almost 1 full hour (or more than that?). Anyway, I manage to get myself a magazine with Andy Lau on the cover as the magazine is not selling in Singapore from a 3-storey bookshop near the comic shop. Although I did ponder awhile should I buy it, but I shall not repeat the same mistake 3 years ago which I fail to buy a magazine with Andy on the cover.

Then we went to the shop (kinda like Singapore's $2 shop) to scout for things to buy. I and Simon manage to buy a bag to store our shampoo, shaver, shower foam, toothbrush and toothpaste, we could use it straight away and for any other future trips. However, Rick got lucky with the Hello Kitty products on sale as he manage to buy a Hello Kitty alarm clock cum radio for his girlfriend.

With our tired legs and big purchase of Rick and Simon, we are not going to walk all the way back to our hotel, therefore we flag for a taxi back to Kilin Hotel.

Back in the hotel to rest our tired legs, but the night is still young, we decided to go out again to experience the night life of Taipei by going to one of the pubs or disco. Gathering information from friends in the pub where we went in our previous night. We note down the name and address of a pub/disco and we wash up and head for it. Upon reaching it in a cab, maybe due to that it was thursday, the place was rather empty but the bouncer was kind enough to let us go in to take a look. On seeing that it was not happening, we didn't want to spent our money there. Then we asked the bouncer if there are any other disco around the corner. He spoke in rather fluent English (of Taiwanese standards) to gave us the name and directions. Therefore, we started to wander around the streets again.

With our instinct, we manage to find the disco named LUXY along Chung-Hsiao East Road after some time. We asked for the cover charge which is a hefty NTD$700 (SIN$37). Looking at the watch and it reads close to 2:00AM. We deem that it was not worth it to spent the money for a short while of clubbing thus we decided to head back to the hotel and catch some sleep to prepare our sightseeing the next day.

to be con't.....

Sleep.....eat....slip!

The day begins with the news flash on radio, station LOVE 97.2FM (my parent's station) that former president Dr Wee Kim Wee had passed away, the "People's President" is gone. Let's have a minute silence ................................................

Today our family had our brunch at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre's Kuali - The Asian Kitchen. They're selling Penang food for the last day and my father decided to gave it a try, my mum and I've no comments while my brother just blindly follow us in and later he complain that that he's not interested after taking a look at most of the food. To be frank, I also think that it's rather boring. Well, since we've warm our butts against the chairs, we have to enjoy ourselves to a nice buffet brunch. Actually the food wasn't that bad, the penang fried kway tiao was nice, thumbs up. Among the food that we tried are penang laksa, tofu goreng, kuehes, curry chicken and many more...... but I just think that it wasn't really quite worth it to pay around $23++ for such food. Well, it's just another experience.

Went to Carrefour to shop awhile before making our way home. Initially wanted to go to KTV, however after checking the prices, it was deem not worth it so we stay at home. After reading the New Paper, I quickly fall asleep on the sofa and I think I did sleep for more than 1 hours, a total of 2 hours????

After waking up from my nap, I on the PC to key in a blog entry for yesterday. Later dinner was ready, we had a simple dinner that is porridge with some canned food. Sometimes it's nice to have a simple meal. Then, sat on the sofa to watch the first episode of Jack Neo's Top Fun 8. I think they have clean up their act as they didn't find any cats and dogs to be contestants for them to make fun of. Although the singing segment was rather lame, none of the contestants sounds like Sammi Cheng, Andy Lau or Sun Yanzi. But the pretty boy segment is more interesting. Anyway, their programmes is still far cry from Taiwanese variety programmes.

Didn't I included the word 'slip' in my title? Ya, after removing my contact lenes, must have caught some contact lens lotion or tap water on my kitchen floor, when I was walking back to the living room, I had a slip and brush my leg against the kitchen door. Feel a slight pain, but while I was about to key in this entry, I discover that my 大腳趾 kanna tear and was bleeding. Well it's considered as nothing compared to what I've seen recently.....chey....small case lar! But still can feel abit of pain lei.

Boring Sunday

Well, the title speaks for itself. What a boring Sunday for me.


Frank Lampard milks the applause of the Chelsea travelling support at Bolton.

Was sleeping right infront of the TV when Frank Lampard suddenly scored 2 goals and Chelsea was crowned EPL champions! Before I went into my "la-la-land", the score was still Bolton 0 : 0 Chelsea. Watched the team's celebration for awhile before heading to my bed to sleep.

Wake up in the morning and had brunch with my family at IMM Kopitiam, ordered minced meat mushroom mee-kia dry, but it doesn't seems to test so nice as my previous time. Anyway as I didn't waste my food, I finished it. After that, I had a cup of 'tae' (tea with milk) while my brother and father order 'teh-o' and mum's 'kopi-o'. From my observation, all Kopitiam's staffs in Singapore are not trained how to make a good cup of tea, as they are either too thick or thin. Thus, I made the good decision to order 'tae' as there's milk to made up for the loss of taste.

It seems that I forget to include the remarks of my mother's Taiwan trip. Well, she had enjoyed it as she manage to go to the different parts of Taiwan rather than my trip which is only Taipei. Talk about Taipei, when I did ask her which hotel that she stayed in, she told me it's Kilin Hotel, the same hotel I stayed. She exclaim: "So lousy, the room so old. The staff no manners! Lousy!" Well, same remarks as me. Guess all had to avoid this hotel when quoted by your travel agent. For your info, my mum had been crying foul of the hot weather back in Singapore!


Picture of the "beautiful" room of Kilin Hotel

While my parent went to Giant for their normal grocery shopping, I and my brother heads home to continue our battles of Champion League football on PS2. As per normal, I continues my losing streak. When will I win, I don't know?

After my brother leaves home for his soccer match, I continue my boring day by watching The Bourne Supremacy DVD. Finished the whole show, it was rather interesting and action non-stop. Was rather puzzle at the start of the movie as I kinda forget what I've watched in The Bourne Identity. Then I started to think that the 2 movies are not related to each other rather than the lead character Jason Bourne. Well, was glad there are nothing wrong with the DVD cause the recent DVDs that I bought had problems one!

Went to Toa Payoh HDB Hub's Koufu Food Court for dinner, think should save up the boring details of my dinner!


Matt Holland and Roy Keane contest possession at the Valley.

Back home and awaits the match between Manchester United and Charlton. Finally the red devils didn't fire blanks as they came out 0:4 winner. As usual, I didn't watch the whole match as I was sleeping in between the match. Hahaha....