Friday, February 29, 2008

Good bye Singapore

Will miss this view of singapore river!



I am terminating my internet access for this month. So probably this will be my last blog written in Singapore.



Being 8 years here, my life did not start with excitement and joy. In the begining, I thought the soonest I finished my study, the fastest I could leave the place.



Unfortunately I was wrong. Very wrong.



Not only that I completed my study here, I also worked here for 5 years!. Making friends more than the numbers I used to have bck in my home country. Learnt more about life. It can be summarized as 8 years of meaningful days. There were stress during study, many tears, broken hearted, angers, falling in love, challenging at work, found my future husband and many more to say.



I just returned from a dinner, a shopping and a walk in Orchard Road. I don't know why, I felt tonite, the walk seems so beautiful. Orchard road seems rather different. Everything is so convinient and peaceful here, and it is just a blessing to be able to live a life in this place.



Finally I am saying good bye to Singapore. Not forever of course-I may be coming back any time in the future: for holiday, or probably back to work again, who knows!



But I really have to say thank you to God for His plan. 8 years ago, I was angry with God, for pulling me into this country. But now, I know the reason. God is always there with me these years. Giving me any surprises..just like a Father who really cares.



I know He will continue to bless me in my new page of life. So, friends here, please don't worry about me.



Keep in touch always!





Last day of work

This is how I feel

- Stomach butterfly
- Confuse
- Sweaty and cold palm
- Keep looking at the clock
- Keep looking at those surrounding my office
- Flash backs of the years I spent here
- Heart beats very fast

Leaving a job is not a good feeling after all. May be because I really love my job and my colleagues. What if, leaving an unpleasant job? Will people feel happy on their last day?

Experience make who you are.

Some people, they want a short cut to be a 'specialist' and 'obtain' high position in their career.

But I told you 'experience' make who you are.

In the past, when I was young, just came out to work. I thought with high academic knowledge and degree I can be smarter than those people who had worked years ahead of me, simply because I am more educated.

I have a friend who asked me what sort of training was needed to be a speacialist in my field. Trying to dig out many things. We worked in different industry, and she was so proud that she is being picked up and offered high budget for training.

But I wanted to tell her that, a chance is given to you, you can show off about it and making used of people. But if you don't go through a tough learning hard time and continue to learn by yourself, you will never be a true specialist just by taking courses and licking people above you.

Thanks for the meal and kind arrangment. But I do know who is sincere and who is not. The first time when I knew you, you were that proud. Now, you are still the same.

Looking back, it took me 6 years to be what I am today:-I will see how you can catch up.

TCM

"Acupuncture"-another option for healing



I was not a big fan of seeking chinese traditional doctors for treatment whenever I was sick. I prefered western-healing. Probably because I don't really fancy herbs and usually chinese-medicines heal slower-by from internal to external and I can't wait that long to be back to good health.



--



I got my neck sprained recently-when I was sleeping. I knew, western doctor won't be able to heal such pain, except giving me pain-killer. But it was hard to find TCM medical centre in Singapore. Even if there is one, it will be long queue. So I decided to go to Reflextology centre instead. Thinking that after a good neck and shoulder massage I would feel better.



--



The next day, my pain got worst and I got two swollen & bruise parts on my shoulder. So I decided to visit the TCM Health Care Medical Centre at Clementi Ave 3. There is only 1 chiense doctor there, and he is very nice. I got to queue for half an hour before my turn. And he treated me with acupuncture and other methods (the whole session took about 1 hour), and I was given 2 types of medicines to eat. Total cost was only $38!.

Usually if i went for normal health-clinic (western type), it would at least cost me $70 include medicine just for 'flu' illness.

It was my first time trying acupuncture:-not as bad as I thought-in fact the comfort almost made me fall asleep.

I felt so much better now. At least I can turn my head 90 degree now.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Please don't look back

Thank you for telling me,
"when you are there please don't look back. Don't ever think you will come back"
I seriously don't know whether i will think this way unless I am there.
You are the second person who knows me for years and truely understand what I am going through.

--

I guess not everyone can feel like what someone else is feeling unless they are in his shoes.

--

It's weird isn't it I said.
I would call my housemate and said goodbye to her and concerned about her, when she suddenly moved out.
But when she was around, I dislike her for being smelly.
No matter what, she was there when I was afraid to sleep alone. Sometimes knowing that there was another person beside my wall makes me sleep better.
The day when she moved in I was relieved bcz finally I had someone with me in the house.
A sinful nature of human being, always taking granted of what they have.
and only feel loosing when it's no longer there.

--

I said, it took me more than 3 years to finally let go of my heart-longing to to return to sydney. You were with me all these years. It would probably took me years again to forget Singapore. Sometimes, it is really not my choice to miss things from the past or to be afraid of the unhappy past coming back to haunt you.

--

I believe what I need now is plenty of sleep and prayers.

--
It is hard when someone closest to you don't understand you at all.

Selfish house owner

Being a foreigner is tough-coz you are homeless all the time
You move from one place to another and you live with different types of people whom you called housemates.

I wouldnot say all house owners are bad. I met a very nice 'homestay' mom when I was in Australia: who brought me around to eat nice foods and took very good care of me without expecting anything in return.

However, I could only find such a nice house owner 1 in 10 chance. In Singapore, I lived with 2 before, both of them were extremely 'calculative' and 'heartless'. All they saw in their tenants are only 'money' and how to make profit.

Once I was forced to move out before my tenancy date is over. She thought she could get a much better offer from others who wanted to buy or sell the house. But I insisted i wouldn't want to. She forgot my kindness of helping her to find a tenant to replace my room much earlier before I told her about my room termination.

Now that no one is buying the house, neither want to rent the room, she came back to me, asking my help to find any tenants that are willing to stay for a few weeks. So she could earn more money.

Last night I found out my housemate was moving out too. She was told to find a new place, i guess during the same time when I was forced to move out.

I pretended to ask her why my housemate was moving out. She told me, it was because she wanted to find a place nearby her workplace.

Oh come on, I knew my housemate loves the place she is living right now. She is enjoying every single day, when no one cares what she is doing. She doesn't even have to empty the dustbin and clean the toilet.

You don't have to lie to me your guilt.

Serving her right for her own greediness. Her two bedrooms will be empty after we left.

I think she will never find tenants as good as both of us who are preserving well her house anymore. (except for my housemate's bedroom which would probably remain smelly forever).

I really admire some of my friends' house owners, who do not increase the rental prices despite of market volatility.

In life, there are still many things beyond money to look at!.

Singapore flyer


Pics above were taken by a friend
http://www.singaporeflyer.com.sg/
open to public on 1st of March 2007
Ticket is $29.50 for adult
"Wish to go try. but dunno who to go with"


Monday, February 25, 2008

Finding a soulmate

"Finding love is like a journey on a train"
God, he gives some of us, everyone
Each an empty ticket.
Boarded into the train and left at different time
The destination, it is however, only he knows
As how long the trip will be, who we will meet, we will never know too
All we can do is just sit, looking at the sceneries,
Say Hi to those just are boarded
and say good bye to those who left the train
Talking to those who happened to be in the same cabin
Some of them become our friends
some become enemies
When we thought someone holding the same ticket as us
We fell in love
We went through a part of the journey together
It was sweet, beautiful at the begining
Then, there was thunder and rain
and finally either one decided to get down from the train
boarding another train of different destination
It moves on...
Only one who hold the same ticket as you
stopping at the same destination
They are soulmates
and we will never certainly know who
until we almost reach the destination
and there it goes, God tells you he is the one
[God is playful isn't he?]
He will give you a new ticket
That will take both of you to the next train: the journey of life
You may say goodbye to the "love train"-a memorable journey of finding the 'right one'


The journey of life



I happened to visit the hospital, at the ICU Unit.
For the first time, I was peeping at a stranger who was struggling to live
with all the appratus connected to her body.
Outside the room were many of her family members, relative and friends in distraught.

I stood for at least 15 minutes.
Looking at her heart pumping up and down at irregular beats
I could feel she was in pain to breathe
For a moment I felt, so 'afraid'
[Last nite I even dreamt of being chased by vampires]
I talked to God, is this how life will end for everyone of us that you have created?
Just like when I saw a baby rabbit that I used to have, fighting for its life, a few years ago.
Once the heart stopped beating
I prounced it dead.


Everything ends with a full stop.
Recylce bin was emptied
No turning back
No amendment for regrets
No place to pour how much you are longing to see the person anymore
Just like how much I wished my grandpa was still alive

This is how fragile life is. There is nothing like "forever" isn't it?

Oscar awarded movies 2008

Feat. Oscar's trophy
Movies that were nominated or awarded at the Oscar award this year, which I would want to watch are:
1. No country for old Men (Best picture)
2. Atonement (nominated for best picture and achieve Best Original Score)-almost watched in cinema last time
3. Juno (nominated for best picture)
4. Away from her (nominated for best adapted screenplay)
5. La Vie en Rose (Best actress: Marion C)
6. There will be blood (Achievement in cinematography & Best Actor Daniel L)
7. The counterfeiters (Best Foreign Language Film)-I am always the fan of foreign movies!
8. Taxi to the dark side (Best documentary feature)
9. Elizabeth the golden age (Best Costume design)
10. Peter and the wolf (Best animated short film)
Highlighted in bold and larger fonts (must watch list)!! hehehehe

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Sony Ericsson K770i


Bought my first Sony Ericsson mobile phone for $449 yesterday. The shop said, it was on 'sale' price. Let me know if it's cheap?


As a regular user of Nokia mobile phone, I was afraid i wouldn't know how to use Sony phone. But it worked out to be fine. Functions are not so complicated.


I am definitely very satisfied with the 'clear sounds' quality and the photo quality (3.2 MP).


Unfortunately, I feel, Sony phone could give me some kind of electric static shock. Not advisable to touch or using it during charging.

Rating: 7.5*/10.

Rate: 5*/10

Sold my old phone N73 for $250 (used it for 11.5 mths) still hv 2 weeks guaranteed and in very good condition with the box. The buyer was stranger on the street who followed me while I was trying to sell the HP to 3 other shops.

Approached a 2nd hand dealer 1st shop: offered me $240. Max. $260 if i bought new phone from them. I went to 2 other more established shops which only offered $200 and $150.

Bought this phone while signinng 2 years contract with Starhub. I think I paid additional $200 cash with the contract. It wasn't cheap. Got it when it first came out last year and I got penalty $300 for terminating it earlier by 1 year.

So this phone actually cost me $500-$250 (resale price)= $250

Not a bad price since i had used it for 1 year.

I did not like it and couldn't wait to sell it off because of its thickness and lagging system.

I almost chose N 6500 instead of Sony, but, the real phone looks very ugly!.



Sunday, February 17, 2008

Elmo my new friend.

Bought in Toy r us
My new friend "Elmo". Like it coz' it's red and always smiling. Elmo is actually my "fantasy toy". It is a toy that I wish to have since I was a kid, but of coz' i never ask for it. Saw it on my friend's facebook, and commented it was so cute. It reminds me on the Elmo T-shirt that I bought from a trip to malaysia. I actually bought the T-shirts for my whole family!
Thanks Wee2 for buying me a farewell gift. I really need this to accompany me in my new apartment :D

Feast of Love

3*/5 stars
"Slow but meaningful"
Never stop believing in Love...
Everyone deserves to love, to be loved, to be in love and...
Live for the one you love.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

NUS 2008 tuition fee

Happy New Year Everyone!


In Singapore 2008 begins with increasing of fees from all sectors. Food prices have increased averagely around 10-15%, housing from 20-50%, taxi around 35%, and now, tuition fee, 5-50% depending on whether you are citizen, PR or foreigner.


Average increment across all sector is around 5-20%, which is definitely not enough to cover the inflation rate.


NUS academic 08/09 tuition fees are below:

From year 2000-2003, I only paid about $6000/year for my science undergraduate course. And in year 2004, I only paid about $6500/year for my master degree course.

If education demand is so high in singapore now, why would government reduce the subsidy?

Life, is getting tougher! :'(



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