Prediction for those born in the year of the horse: My luck for this year is supposedly much better than the last. Should I believe it or not? As a christian, the answer is obvious... but prediction of me having a lousy year in 2008 was so damn true. Hmmm, are all these meant to be obstacles to shake my faith? Probably yes...

Shunjie told me that he did a check on my birth date and people who are born on the 14th of September tends to suffer from bottled up tensions. To a certain extent, I guess there are some truth in it.

I always believe in living each day happily but I guess deep within, there are bound to have concerns and worries. Worry about work, concern about not living up to parents' expectations, stress over money, the list goes on...

It's understandable that my parents are worried for me. To quit a company that is going listing to a new start-up. From having the ability to pay for all monthly household expenses such as Internet, Cable TV, season parking and giving parents regular allowances to having my brothers paying for all these bills currently. To think that I even have to borrow money from mom once in awhile. How not to worry about me right?

The only way to stop them from worrying is to ensure my company gets on track in the shortest time possible. Sales was increasing steadily for the whole of last year and I was so confident that we will make it.

Alas, the recession has to come of all times. Being in the entertainment industry, of course we feel the strong impact. I seriously have no clue when the day will arrive where my parents no longer have to worry about me.

In any case you guys are wondering, I didn't mean to write all the above as a complain entry. Since, this is a personal blog, I thought I can leverage this as a platform to release any tension that has been subconsciously building up in me. Hopefully it works.

Nevertheless, I have not lose faith in my company. I believe one day, I will make it. That's the day I gonna repay back those who have been helping me. You guys know who you are. That's also the time where my parents can stop worrying about me and I will provide them with a good life.

Everything will fall nicely in place soon. It will... =)

Had the usual steamboat dinner at Gary's house with the usual gang last evening. His newly decorated room is damn super cozy and nice.

Headed down to St James and though we got in reasonably fast thanks to the guestlist, it was freaking packed inside. Didn't enjoyed myself at all for the first hour.

At 1 plus, we decided to head to Gallery which is on the second floor and poor Gary was not allow entry as he was wearing berms. From Gallery, we were able to look down at the dance floor and I seriously wonder how do people enjoy themselves in such packed environment.

Managed to whip out my lousy HP and capture the following.

Today is the first day of the lunar new year!

Woke up at 11am and had Mee Sua with abalone for brunch with red date tea. Nice!!
Like I told AlvinKino, CNY seems to be getting more boring as we aged. What used to be real exciting seems to be not-so-exciting anymore. Hahaha!

Anyway, it's a new year so I do wish everyone who read this little blog of mine a peaceful, happy and healthy year ahead...

GONG XI FA CAI!

Glad to know that the worst is over and gone.

It's normal to feel distracted at certain point of time. Recall how I left my key hanging at the locker during gym? How I can't find my USB thumb drive for one whole day when I subconsciously left it in the tool box etc etc?

So see, you are not the only one. I have been through it too. It's just a passing phrase and will be over even before you realize it.

Yup, it's high time to enjoy a break after working hard for the past 2 years. First EU then BKK. It's gonna be our first air trip after so many years and I'm so looking forward to it.

Remembered we talked about looking back at this point of time when we are 40 years old? So what's important now is not to look back into the past but enjoy each day as though tomorrow is the last. Of course, the things we enjoy doing changes as we age, who knows... we may be jolly well be playing chess when you are 60 years old and I'm 61? Hahaha!

Btw, who's the 有同性 没人性 guy you are refering to ar?

Stumbled upon this video and I'm impressed by this little gal who is born to play not just the piano but composing her own music at the age of six... all these coming from her heart.

She's so adorable and looks so amazing when she's like kneeling on the piano seat and start playing jazz without much effort.

OMG, this is damn funny.. with the sound effects and all the different positions.

I'm feeling much better today...
Throat is still a little sore though which I guess is due to the heaty BBQ food..

BBQ at downtown east chalet last evening was good, nice food thanks to Joan, Joan's mom and their maid. One of the very rare BBQ session where all you need is to sit down and food are served to your table periodically. The prawns were so fresh, I love prawns alot but unfortunately, my appetite wasn't that good.

Left early as I was feeling tired while the rest stayed on for Mahjong.
Thanks SJ for the liang teh though it didn't taste as soothing as I hope. Haha!

4 more days to Lunar New Year's eve. I can't wait for Friday to come.
Jaron is flying to Italy, Switzerland and France this Saturday.
Have fun and take more photos (of course not yourself but the scenary) to show us yeah? =P

Once in a lifetime by Gregorian...
One of my all time favourite track since secondary days. =)

I didn't sleep well at all last night, keep waking up every now and then. I usually don't need to drag myself to work but going to office today was draggy. Mom bought breakfast but I just got no appetite to eat, I literally have to force myself to eat a few mouth coz I know I can't really work without breakfast.

In office liao but I'm feeling so tired and no mood for work. Will be going to Joan's chalet after work, hopefully I won't get too tired or sick to enjoy myself. CNY is coming, I pray hard I will get better soon....

For those who has been using the famous Listerine mouthwash, you may want to stay away from using it anymore..

AUSTRALIA'S top-selling mouthwashes can cause oral cancer and should be pulled from supermarket shelves immediately.

Leading independent experts have issued this strong warning after investigating latest scientific evidence linking alcohol-containing mouthwashes to the deadly disease...

Read the full article here.

Slept at 3 last nite, woke up at 8 this morning by our friendly construction workers practicing their drilling skills again.

Reached office at 9ish only to be greeted by the alarm which I set on my cell phone.
I'M SUPPOSE TO JUST WAKE UP CAN!!!

Nevermind, it's a Friday so I'm not gonna let anything affect my mood.
Going to Ken's birthday BBQ after work today. I'm sure it's going to be fun with the usual craps and stuffs.

Anyway, found this nice MV by 陶子. Joan was singing this song during the KTV session last Sunday. I'm impressed when Jaron told me the song was penned by herself and I love the way she presented herself as a sweet and simple girl friend in the MV.

I'm sure most of you will have seen the new VISA commercial where this guy actually dance in various part of the world...

14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands, they even have a scene in Nellis Airspace where the guys are dancing floating without gravity.

Next, I can't help but keep laughing when I saw the following video though it has a rather nice ending.
Introducing Blueberry, the $73 prostitute... Enjoy!!

Played by our dear Jaron, I thought it will be nice for everyone to enjoy this simple melody.
Do note that the entire piece has been super simplified. Maybe next time, I will video the full version of him playing this song based on the original piano score... =)

Came across this article and it's heart warming to see such a talented little girl who not only can sing well but also matured at such a young age to want to take care and help her mom by using her singing contests winnings to pay for food and rentals.

Read this 8 pages story of this young little girl below and how she dedicate the song "Because You Love Me" to her mom in front of 18,000 audiences in New York's Madison Square Garden with Celine Dion. Imagine how happy and proud her mom will have felt at that point of time.

www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20080908_tows_charice

Enjoy her performances below...

- I have nothing

- Because you love me (Duet with Celine Dion) - MUST WATCH!

www.brandish.tv/2006/12/the_sprayon_con.html

I'm quite sure this article is untrue but I do find the idea that you can now DIY your own condom in 5 seconds which fits perfectly to your *ahem* hilarous.

Makes me ponder if these latex cans come in different specifications which creates different thickness and perhaps different flavour? Yeah, talk about better tasting and greater sensitivity.. Hahaha!

Oh, isn't every condom suppose to have a small area in front for protein deposits? Hmm...

I'm finally back to work after a relatively long break.

Yes, I do feel rejuvenated when I step into office earlier. Had been spending my breaks working out, blading, swimming, clubbing, hanging out as well as nuaing at home.

Guess this week is gonna be over fast as I'm already packed with meetings starting from today till Wednesday.

Heading out with boss for a meeting now.
First meeting of the year... and boss want me to tag along though I'm clad in tee, jeans and sneakers.

Damned, I'm feeling hungry.. Haha!

Signing off...

How often do you let other people’s nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you’re the Terminator, you’re probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of your success is how quickly you can refocus on what’s important in your life.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. And I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab.
Here’s what happened.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, the car skidded, the tires squealed, and at the very last moment our car stopped just one inch from the other car’s back-end. I couldn’t believe it. But then I couldn’t believe what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any New Yorker, some words in New York come with a special face. And he even threw in a one finger salute! I couldn’t believe it!

But then here’s what really blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, “Why did you just do that!? This guy could have killed us!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck™.” He said:

"Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you.

So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You’ll be happier."

So I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the street? It was then that I said, “I don’t want their garbage and I’m not going to spread it anymore.”

I began to see Garbage Trucks. Like in the movie “The Sixth Sense,” the little boy said, “I see Dead People.” Well now “I see Garbage Trucks.” I see the load they’re carrying. I see them coming to dump it. And like my taxi driver, I don’t take it personally; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time was Walter Payton. Every day on the football field, after being tackled, he would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Over the years the best players from around the world in every sport have played this way: Tiger Woods, Nadia Comaneci, Muhammad Ali, Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, Michael Jordan, Jackie Robinson, and Pele are just some of those players. And the most inspiring leaders have lived this way: Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King.

See, Roy Baumeister, a psychology researcher from Florida State University, found in his extensive research that you remember bad things more often than good things in your life. You store the bad memories more easily, and you recall them more frequently.

So the odds are against you when a Garbage Truck comes your way. But when you follow The Law of the Garbage Truck, you take back control of your life. You make room for the good by letting go of the bad.

The best leaders know that they have to be ready for their next meeting. The best sales people know that they have to be ready for their next client. And the best parents know that they have to be ready to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses, no matter how many garbage trucks they might have faced that day. All of us know that we have to be fully present, and at our best for the people we care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their life.
What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here’s my bet: You’ll be happier.

Happy New Year everyone... It's the first day of 2009!

Brand new year.. As usual, friends will ask, what's my resolution for 09.

Well, the only thing that I really hope for is for my company to increase it's monthly revenue by another 40% so that I can reinstate my full pay real soon.

Oh, I also hope for the petrol price to drop further....

Just got back from the gathering with the usual gang at ECP.
It's been ages since we had a picnic together. As always, we bought too much food and can't finish it. The session was filled with craps, jokes and laughter and we decided to call it a night around 1ish when everyone's getting sleepy and tired. Signs of aging...

Anyway, the mahjong kakis headed back to Punggol for MJ while the rest including myself headed home.

May the brand new year fill with happiness for all. ^ ^

Oh yeah Jaron, welcome to club 30 but don't fret, you'll get used to it real soon... LOL!!