Sitex 2004!

I heard about Sitex 2004 from my friends and Hardwarezone. At first I just dismissed it as a regular Hardware promotion site. But when I did some read-up on it... I realised that there are pretty babes to see as well! Haha... that really motivates me greatly man...

And so... its decided that today would be the day I conquered Sitex 2004! First, I called along a group of desperate, isolated, nerdy guys (erm... only 1 desperado there lah... the rest are just nerdy...). I easily managed to get 4 (Kwan hong, Yan san, Too kok and me!) people for Sitex 2004! Then, I prepared myself... and get my weapon of choice ready (just a camera...really!)! We met up at Sg Expo there... with everyone as eager and enthusiatic for the event :p Below, I will highlight the details of our "battle of Sitex 2004"!


Fight 1 - The very 1st battle of the day... "Kwan Hong aka Peace" Versus Alana (World no. 1 Female Quake 3 gamer)
This is a really interesting event. Alana is from Sweden, and she is the No.1 ranked Female Quake 3 player in the world! The challenge is to face off with her 1 to 1, with both sides trying to kill each other 12 times in 10 mins. It may sounds easy, until we check the scoreboard. She had been playing with other gamers for the past 2 days, and she mostly wins without dying even once! And she had only died once today! Mind you... she had to kill the opponent 12 times in 10 mins, and she usually does so without getting killed once! The most times she had died in a match is only... 2 times! Thats why she's ranked no.1 worldwide... anyone facing her will have to be the underdog for sure. Anyone who beats her gets to win a cool $1000 cash! And ya... there aren't any registeration fees, its free entry with no strings attached.
So... the battle begins... and... Peace managed to survive been killed 12 times in 10 mins! He died 11 times though... and failed to kill her off a single time. But he was the only one to survive 10 mins of onslaught from her... for that day.... so... kudos to Peace for a job well done!

Enters a new ally - Lionel Huang!
While waiting for the 1st battle to start, a new ally appeared in the form of Lionel Hunag (anime fanatic). He had came to join our cause... in... erm... nothing! He just came here to see... not to hunt for babes... But an ally gained is still... an ally gained! No matter what he's here for, he is still very much welcome!

Fight 2 - 1st pic of the day!
Yeah... this is what yan san and I came here for! To take pictures with babes! But I'm damn shy... Yan san approached a very sweet looking babe in white T-shirt to take pictures with her. To which, she gamely obliges. Being the desperate type, he also asked her whether he could put his arm around her shouders... thanksfully she agreed. Cos... its my turn next... and I...happily did that too =p =p =p Hey... its my first time doing so k...I'm damn shy 1 =x She pasted a sticker on both of us... as a sign that we're supporting Apple (the company... not the fruit!)
So...! The 1st picture of the day was taken, and it gives both of us extra motivation to be on the lookout for babes! =D

Fight 3 to 5 - Continuing our hunt for babes!
Pretty standard stuff. Somewhat like the 1st picture taken. Except that this time round, we had more courage to do so. I took 3 pictures with 1st - 2 Zen Micro babes, 2nd - 2 Sony babes, 3rd - 1 cosplay babe! All went sooooo unbelievably smooth that I can't believe my luck! Heh... and from here... its the hunt for the elusive prize of the day... Miss Singapore Universe Finalist 2004!

Fight 6 - The Finale
Right from the very first step we took in Hall 5 of the Expo, we saw a babe so unbelievable pretty...not realising who she was. It was only after Peace finished his battle with the Top Female Gamer, that we realised her identity... Miss Singapore Universe Finalist 2004 - Cassandra! Anyway, she had already left the area by the time we were done. But we set about looking for her, so that we can conclude the day with no regrets.
We basically prowled the whole Hall - without her sight. It took around an hour before we found her.... at the Lumix Station!
It takes great courage to approach a girl of such beauty. But... great things comes to those who dared. No guts no glory man... the Manchester United way!
And so... we summoned up the courage to approach her! ... with Yan San asking lah.. haha... I no balls mah =p Thanksfully, like most of the girls there, she gamely obliges. But, what a pro she is! Her posture were elegant, and her smile were ever present...ooohhhh...

Conclusion - After "battling" for the whole afternoon, its time to settle down and savour the sweet fruits of victory. Lionel departs from us when our ally came to pick us up. It came in the form of a silver Merc, whom the driver is Desmond (from Beatty). He brought the 5 of us to Suntec City for dinner. It was an expensive meal ($20+ each!), but it was a nice way to end the day.

Kudos to all who came and support our "noble" cause today. May the Goddess of Victory smiles upon us again =D

Jay Chou "Wu Yu Lun Bi"

26th Nov is such an eventful day. First thing in the morning, I took my Advanced Driving Theory Test at Yio Chu Kang (forgot the name of the driving centre liao :p). Hai... stupid theory test... I didn't study much for it... think most probably I will have to retake again... haha

Then came the event that I had been waiting for... Jay Chou - Wu Yu Lun Bi Concert! Its not only the one that I paid $150 for...its also the 1st concert I've ever been to! I've been waiting a whole month for it!

The concert was held at the National Indoor Stadium. Went with Weilun and Zhihao (all my EX-campmates...from Toa Payoh too! heh heh) to the concert. Sigh... The concert is supposed to start at 8pm, and we went in at around 7:45pm...expecting to be just in time for the concert. In the end, Jay only appeared at 8:45pm! Well, what to do... he's the star that we are waiting for mah. Anyway, its just nice that he showed up late, cos most of the audience are also late. Seems like they also anticipated it -_-...

But hey... he was well worth the wait! When he showed up, the audience erupted with cheers for him! The atmosphere was really superb! Cannot complain about it sia. Hm... got to keep this article short... Anyway, he sang a lot of songs... think around 20+ songs. And he even introduced his "groomed band" ... dunno what's the name though. Yeah, Wen Lan made an appearance in his concert. She was wearing this really "hot" set of clothings that threatened to expose her with every movement...slurp! And Jay sang the few songs that I've been hoping to hear in person - "Hei Se You mo", "An Jing" & "Qi Li Xiang". It appears that all the songs he sang sounds equally good in person. Oh yah, I was particulary impressed by his talents... He played the flute and the piano (damn strong in it!) during the concert. And he never failed to impress me with his level of energy!

3/4 through the show, it seems that Jay was growing fatigued. His vocals don't seems as strong as in his albums. Perhaps its just normal that every artists will face this problem. He finally ended the concert with "Qi Li Xiang"... at around 11:15pm ba. It seems to be what everyone in the audience hoped to hear too... heh... its one of his hit songs afterall. Well, we had to take a cab home after the show. Its part of it ba...All in all, the concert was well worth the $150 spent! No regrets man!

Hm... I haven't posted anything in a long time. I have been stuck in the gloom of been jobless (even though I'm no allowed to work until after 28th Dec), and wasting my time doing unproductive things.

Things aren't looking good, and I must admit that I've been rather poor when it comes to decision making. I've turn down a job offer as a programmer just yesterday only... and frankly speaking, the person is offering me a very reasonable job package. Its just that I can't make up my mind :(

Things simply aren't looking good, even though I appeared positive. But I do know that things will pick up once I've managed to make up my mind on my future.

Thanksfully, I have my friends to accompany me through my "zhuo bo" time. Else I will really die from boredom and lack of job! hah... Oh yah, and special thanks to my friend who is learning how to cook / bake! It was really unexpected and sweet of you to pass me those cake / cookies that you made! I know that you put in lots of effort making them... so ... gambatte! Do let me taste more of them, k! =)

New Quote Of The Day

I'm in the middle of clearing my off now, and have been spending a lot of time hunting for jobs. In the middle of all these, an inspiration struck! me to come up with this quote:

"There is no substitute for hardwork!"

Well, actually I was inspired to come up with this while watching "MVP Qing Ren". The coach of the basketball team constantly told his guys to practise, practise...and practise! He even enlightened them by saying that there is no short cut to success in basketball, the great players out there become great only through practise!

How true it is, that only hardwork can make a person great. This furthers inspires me to try harder for a good job, and to constantly look for job opportunities! Cos even job finding requires hardwork and patience. And only those who are willing to put in effort (don't count those rich ppl with rich contacts...lah!), can find the job that they want! And after finding it... its more hardwork and hardwork... to gain recognition by your employers liao!

Well then, good luck to all those who are in the same "pathetic" situation as myself. However, I do believe that I will succeed in life eventually...and so shall all of you have faith in yourself too! Hope ya all are inspired to put in effort to chase what you want ba!

Last week of work!

Yeasssh!
I'm finally in my last week of NS! After this week, I'll be clearing my leave all the way till December 28, 2004!

Now I feel so much more relaxed, knowing that my responsibilities as a NSF are almost over. My campmates have commented that my white hair had turned black liao... haha... Evidence that stress causes white hair!

Hm... But now that I'll be leaving soon, I'll probably take a few pictures (or many!) before I leave ba... The NSFs in my camp have been waiting for this day... the day that I leaves...cos there won't probably be another CSM as strict as myself liao! SAMULA! (malay word meaning "do again"!) haha...

Hm... for now, I'll hunt for part time jobs while waiting for my ORD date (28/12/2004!) ba. In the meantime, I can only do more research on the job market, and network with more people. Its my turn to "leaves the force and enter the cruel world of work!" May the force be with me!

Discovering your strengths!

I chance upon this interesting article, while doing my research on job hunting. Its a very enlightening and interesting article on finding your own strengths. Anyone can just read the following article and apply it.

Most people build their career mainly based on their qualification and experience. Unfortunately, they ignorethe most important asset they have for achieving success: their own strengths.

The reason why most people do not either know or care for their strengths is historical. In earlier days, peoplehardly had any need to know their strengths. A farmer's son had to be a farmer and an artisan's son, likewise, an artisan. There was little to choose from. But today, we face an enormous number of choices. Unless we know our strengths and use them, we risk getting into occupations that do not suit us. And consequently, going down the path of mediocrity.

So how to know our strengths? Try Feedback Analysis (FA), a method suggested by Peter Drucker, who did not claim to be the inventor of this method. He traced its origin back to the 14th century by a German theologian. FA works as follows:

1) Whenever you take a key decision or action, write down what you expect to happen.
2) Later, perhaps after a few days, weeks or months, compare the actual results with your own expectations.

According to Drucker, if practiced consistently, FA will reveal to you:

1) What are your strengths?
2) What you are doing or failing to do that deprives you of the full benefits of your strengths.
3) Where you are not particularly competent. It will also show the areas where you have no strengths and cannot perform.

Drucker also suggested the following actions once you know your strengths:

1) Concentrate on your strengths. Put yourself where your strengths can produce results.
Work on improving your strengths.
2) Stay away from activities in which you have no strengths and have little chance of becoming even a mediocre performer. Why not let Feedback Analysis uncover the most precious asset you have: your strengths!

Hm... I'm entering my final week of NS liao. I will start clearing leaves from 1st November till end of December, then ORD! But hey, I'm not as lost as I was a month ago, when I started worrying about finding a job. Cos now I'm clearer about my aims for my working life.

I wish to become successful! I don't have to earn big bucks, but at least enough for me to achieve the 5Cs by age 30 ba! -_-; heh... I wish to be recognized as a professional in my work, and to earn enough to gives my family a comfortable life ba! This actually means I can have lots of path to chose from! But then... ultimately I still wants to be my own boss, and to make a name for myself in Singapore, Batam, and maybe even JB lah~ haha...

Let me see... Currently I have 3 potential job offers.

1) To sign on as a Civilian Staff in SCDF. Expects to start with $1.7K pay! But I know I'll mostly be doing simple administrative work lor :(

2) To sign on as a Fire-Fighting specialist with SCDF, and they claim to be willing to sponsor me for my studies in universities if my application is successful, and to upgrade me to a senior officer upon my return from my studies. Can expect around $2K starting pay! But... it sounds too good to be true liao! hm... and I hate fire fighting... better research more ba~ :(

3) To work for a friend of mine in a small interior design company. Hm... sounds like what I've been looking for! Cos I'm ambitious! And my ambition can be fulfilled if I can assist my friend to make his business better! But... It sure is hard to do. But at least it is the job I wanna do most among the choices ba~ Expect $1.5K starting pay with zero experience and no related qualification in it?! Hm... dunno much about it, but I'll try to find out more in the mean time!

Thats all I have at the moment. But I'll continue to network for more job offers ba! Have to get back to my research liao!

I went to Toa Payoh today for my bi-weekly Toa Payoh Exploration trip. It usually consists of dining at Toa Payoh central, book hunting at Toa Payoh Library, shopping at Toa Payoh NTUC, and exploring the less known places of Toa Payoh! (less known to me only...) Of course such trip I can't do alone right? I don't know Toa Payoh well also... despite living here for decades liao... haha... Luckily I know this "purple freak", who happily joined me for the activities.

Anyway, after the book hunting, dinner, shopping...etc, I went to Purple Freak's house nearby, which happened to be part of Toa Payoh less know places, for a walk. I must admit, its pretty nice to come out with Purple Freak to Toa Payoh cos she knows the place better than me... haha...She leads, I'll just follow along and hopes to know the area better (I admit I'm hopeless when it comes to navigation =p)

Well, the highlight of the day comes when we find a playground to rest at. She took out her handphone, and candidly admits that she doesn't knows how to change her battery even after having her handphone for 3 months! (OMG!!!) Its incredible that she can't open her handphone cover, more incredible that she had the phone for 3 months... even more incredible that I when I tried, I took seconds to open what she took months and failed to opened... hee... just enjoy this part greatly man! Anyway, she never fails to amaze me with what she can do - or rather cannot do :p She seems to reveal more embarassing moments the longer I get to know her. Of course I have my own "paiseh" moments too lah...haha...Nevertheless, she's always so fun to be teased at...always interesting to see her reaction whenever she does something "paiseh"! =x

Well, being the gentleman that I am (or just trying to be...), I conclude the day's trip by sending her back home. Its afterall, just near my house only ^_^ Lessons learnt for the day: (1) Don't be so mindful of what people think of you, especially when its hindering you from seeking help for your "paiseh" moments! (2) I'm a reliable friend, and am always ready to help any damtress in distress... heh heh heh


Hm... *I can feel her knuckles cracking liao...and her face getting red now...think I'd better avoid her for the time being or else I'll land up in the hospital!*

I must admit that I love......

Quotes!

Not just movies quotes, but also quotes taken from books, speakers, animation, friends...etc Any quotes that tells a great deal of truth, and greatly inspires me, will be etched in my memory :) Here is the quote of the day to kick start the topic of the day! Feel free to add in your own comments!

"Courage is not the absence of fear. It is action in the presence of fear."
"Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There is no courage unless you are scared."

Exactly the quotes I was looking for! Everyone have fears, I'm no exception too! Everytime my heart beat extra fast when I was about to gives commands on the parade square, when I was about to take a test, when I was about to meet a girl - I do not have much opportunities though :( ...etc

But I do knows that I have to face up to the fears ahead of me! I may not conquer my fears at the 1st try, but I won't take a back step to fear. I'll keep trying until my fears are not that fearful anymore! I love challenges anyway...the tougher the more rewards :D

Hopes everyone reading this, finds inspiration from the above quotes, and find your courage to overcome your fears ba! Gambatte! I'm going to fight with the Zzzz bug now...