The Job (Interview)
Notice how many horror movies have single word titles like The Eye, The Ring, The Maid, The Fog, The Grudge, The Dorm, (and horror of all horrors) The Wig. I now have the priviliage of sharing with you a horror movie called the *deng deng deng!* (mind you its the heart thumping 'deng deng deng' sound) The Job (Interview).
The things you would read on the back of the DVD cover
The Job (interview) the first of a three part horror movie franchise. The Job (interview) is a prequel to The Job (contractual terms), and The Job (the firing). The Job movies follows the epic and tragic story of Tobias, very handsome young man (Played by the multi-talented, award winning Toby) who stumbles upon a job advert for a teaching position in Vietnam. Eagerly motivated by the chance to start on a clean slate after his horrible life experiences in Singapore, Tobias takes up the job offer.
The Story
The movie begins with Tobias working at his father's restaurant. However being the heir of his father's empire, Tobias is met with great jealously from his evil and insecure stepmother. She plots and finally after months of intense brainwashing, finally convinces Tobias' father that Tobias is totally screwed up, ambitious, selfish, useless and disobedient. This led to Tobias' firing and his 'job hunting'
Being scarred by the fact that his father had chosen his wife over his own son, Tobias continues to hold fast to his faith and searches the internet for work. This is when he stumbles on the advert for a teacher position in Vietnam. A few days after his application, he gets news and is called in for an interview.
After the interview, an offer of USD$1050 was offered but it seemed too little for Tobias and he asks for another offer. Several days later (and a pathetic begging email later) he gets a second interview with the Director. Being estactic about the chance to redeem himself Tobias has no idea what's instore for him during the 2nd INTERVIEW!!!!!
At the 2nd interview Tobias meets the director and thats when the spine chilling tale begins...*deng deng deng* The Director is a very eloquent young woman, and Tobias knew that his own eloquency was of no value when used upon (shudder)...THE DIRECTOR!!!... The interview began with the Director lashing at Tobias about his original rejection letter and 'begging' letter which followed. The lashing and the humble explaination took up a good 20mins of the hour long interview.
Tobias was throughly exhausted at the experience and knew his end had come. For once he felt helpless for he was always able to reason his way out of difficult situations but the array of arrows kept piercing him through and through. However the plot changes just as Tobias was about to breathe his last, a glimmer of hope came when the Director made a comment about how the Singaporeans would look Vietnamese. Tobias replied by saying that it was not true and that Singaporean would stick out easily due to their 'robust' figures...(he then looks at his own body)
Laughter filled the room, YES! his fat joke about himself broke the intense atmosphere which was about the overwhelm him. He was saved. The interview then was ressurected and now Tobias has hope for his move to Vietnam.
Some words in closing
This was the most difficult interview I have ever been through, and things didn't look good. However a prayer always helps to keep me focused on why I'm taking up this job in the first place. Im not sure about you..but Ive always kept true to my beliefs and would never lie during an interivew. It hasn't landed me with many jobs, but those who hire me they know that I am as such and will be responsible to them, for I am responsible to myself and I am always very happy working at these places.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
OK! Do me a favour!
I just want to know who actually reads my blog. One reason I don't blog often is because it seems that no one reads it, but from conversations with my friends apparently they do and it is surprising sometimes... so just click on the 'comments' link and put down your name, thanks guys!
I just want to know who actually reads my blog. One reason I don't blog often is because it seems that no one reads it, but from conversations with my friends apparently they do and it is surprising sometimes... so just click on the 'comments' link and put down your name, thanks guys!
Another Sleepless Night
It seems that I've had a couple of sleepless nights this week. I keep thinking about Vietnam and whether its possible to salvage the opportunity Ive turned down...
I'm not one who does things solely for its monetary value, but the USD$1,100 offer to teach seemed little and .. i dont know.. Im not sure whether I can help support my mom with that amount.
Ive been searching for reasons to take up the job offer, although I have many reasons why I should NOT take it up from the people around me. One thing for certain is that I want to go, and im not sure if thats reason enough...
Perhaps a good thing about writing is that I can straighten out my thoughts and it dawned upon me that I've never gave a damn about the things people have said about me and the way I live my life. I used to live by Proverbs 3:5-6 and somehow it's been faded into the background of everything thats happened. From my father's rejection to my last cent, its being in the pits again... To trust the Lord with all my heart... seems easy enough and yet I can't do it.
Reflecting upon everything that has happened, things in my life have gone downhill. It all started back when I was 19... After being threatened by my dad with a knife and the constant verbal abuse, I left home... My mom almost died from meliodosis, living off each week with a loaf of bread, having no money, the politics with my hateful classmates, the period of depression, the arguements with my step-mother, being fired by my dad, being jobless for the past 6 weeks, and I'm now in the pits again with my final $50... It seems that there's no end to the troubles
But it all started when I was 19. This was when I became a Christian... and I must say at times I wish I could just die, but I've never reached that point to actually do it. And its true that the Lord will not test me beyond what I can bear. I have grown spiritually and it is Christ who preserves me. This is hope, many are searching for it, and many have believed that they found it.
There are many ways for man to find hope, but theres has only been one way in which hope has found man. In our journey of hope we have gained wisdom, but to me, wisdom is the knowledge of truth. Wisdom through the knowledge of what is not true will lead one away from hope, the truth will set us free.
It seems that I've had a couple of sleepless nights this week. I keep thinking about Vietnam and whether its possible to salvage the opportunity Ive turned down...
I'm not one who does things solely for its monetary value, but the USD$1,100 offer to teach seemed little and .. i dont know.. Im not sure whether I can help support my mom with that amount.
Ive been searching for reasons to take up the job offer, although I have many reasons why I should NOT take it up from the people around me. One thing for certain is that I want to go, and im not sure if thats reason enough...
Perhaps a good thing about writing is that I can straighten out my thoughts and it dawned upon me that I've never gave a damn about the things people have said about me and the way I live my life. I used to live by Proverbs 3:5-6 and somehow it's been faded into the background of everything thats happened. From my father's rejection to my last cent, its being in the pits again... To trust the Lord with all my heart... seems easy enough and yet I can't do it.
Reflecting upon everything that has happened, things in my life have gone downhill. It all started back when I was 19... After being threatened by my dad with a knife and the constant verbal abuse, I left home... My mom almost died from meliodosis, living off each week with a loaf of bread, having no money, the politics with my hateful classmates, the period of depression, the arguements with my step-mother, being fired by my dad, being jobless for the past 6 weeks, and I'm now in the pits again with my final $50... It seems that there's no end to the troubles
But it all started when I was 19. This was when I became a Christian... and I must say at times I wish I could just die, but I've never reached that point to actually do it. And its true that the Lord will not test me beyond what I can bear. I have grown spiritually and it is Christ who preserves me. This is hope, many are searching for it, and many have believed that they found it.
There are many ways for man to find hope, but theres has only been one way in which hope has found man. In our journey of hope we have gained wisdom, but to me, wisdom is the knowledge of truth. Wisdom through the knowledge of what is not true will lead one away from hope, the truth will set us free.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Dang-nabbit-ingrateful-young'n
Its been a while since I've taken the bus or train during the afternoon congestion period. Usually the bus would be full of students coming home from school. There was an incident where this kid kept shoving and pushing me... sigh I'm not too sure how to describe this but could you remember smelling ...'dusty and musty' from a day's school activities? It's pretty normal but oh man this kid stunk...
Stink Boy
Ever notice how on a scorching hot day you could see the heat rising off the roads... Well i saw something rising off this kid's head and it ain't heat... but thinking back IT IS pretty interesting to able to see 'stink waves'...But it aint pretty, I being 5"11 was towering over this kid and 'stink waves' like 'heat' travel upwards....
Anyways this kid was very rude... and stinky... and musty...and dusty... and oily...yes VERY OILY... And so, as Jason and I were approaching our stop, this kid kept trying to squeeze his way to the door (well I was next to the door) and damnit the bus was crowded...this kid couldn't wait a couple of seconds for the bus to come to a stop...
He then said to me 'Ooi excuse me ah, I want to get off'
I then turned to him (blocking his way) and snapped 'I'm getting off too! So just wait!'
He was surprised! Piece of crud!
Keeping the seats warm: Just for you!
So that was the journey to lunch, on the way back to Jason's place, the bus was packed again and well it was sickening to see that most of the seats were occupied by students. There were a couple of grannys holding their grandkids standing along the aisle but no one gave up their seats to them.
The sight was irksome, if I had a seat I would give it up... whats wrong with these kids?
But what am I saying? How could I be so myopic about the entire situation? Alas a revelation has been presented to me... These kids were doing a public service, protecting the old and weak from the harmful effects of anally transmitted Piles...
I suppose these kids knew that the (bacteria infested) moisture given off from an infected person's anus would possibily be absorbed into the upholstery of the bus seats. And so they have selflessly exposed themselves to Piles to protect the elderly as they sit tirelessly on the precariously moving bus.
The power of positive thinking ROCKS!
The situation looks bleak
The same thing happened on MRT today, it totally sucks that the younger one's arent considerate at all...There were like 8 boys from Anderson, hogging seats when it was obvious that someone else needed it. I mean its ok to take a seat but would it (physically) hurt, to let an elder or pregnant lady have your seat when the situation calls for it?
But then again
When I commute late at night... on the last bus or train... There will be Ah Ma's and Ah Gong's still roaming about.. What the hell?
Its been a while since I've taken the bus or train during the afternoon congestion period. Usually the bus would be full of students coming home from school. There was an incident where this kid kept shoving and pushing me... sigh I'm not too sure how to describe this but could you remember smelling ...'dusty and musty' from a day's school activities? It's pretty normal but oh man this kid stunk...
Stink Boy
Ever notice how on a scorching hot day you could see the heat rising off the roads... Well i saw something rising off this kid's head and it ain't heat... but thinking back IT IS pretty interesting to able to see 'stink waves'...But it aint pretty, I being 5"11 was towering over this kid and 'stink waves' like 'heat' travel upwards....
Anyways this kid was very rude... and stinky... and musty...and dusty... and oily...yes VERY OILY... And so, as Jason and I were approaching our stop, this kid kept trying to squeeze his way to the door (well I was next to the door) and damnit the bus was crowded...this kid couldn't wait a couple of seconds for the bus to come to a stop...
He then said to me 'Ooi excuse me ah, I want to get off'
I then turned to him (blocking his way) and snapped 'I'm getting off too! So just wait!'
He was surprised! Piece of crud!
Keeping the seats warm: Just for you!
So that was the journey to lunch, on the way back to Jason's place, the bus was packed again and well it was sickening to see that most of the seats were occupied by students. There were a couple of grannys holding their grandkids standing along the aisle but no one gave up their seats to them.
The sight was irksome, if I had a seat I would give it up... whats wrong with these kids?
But what am I saying? How could I be so myopic about the entire situation? Alas a revelation has been presented to me... These kids were doing a public service, protecting the old and weak from the harmful effects of anally transmitted Piles...
I suppose these kids knew that the (bacteria infested) moisture given off from an infected person's anus would possibily be absorbed into the upholstery of the bus seats. And so they have selflessly exposed themselves to Piles to protect the elderly as they sit tirelessly on the precariously moving bus.
The power of positive thinking ROCKS!
The situation looks bleak
The same thing happened on MRT today, it totally sucks that the younger one's arent considerate at all...There were like 8 boys from Anderson, hogging seats when it was obvious that someone else needed it. I mean its ok to take a seat but would it (physically) hurt, to let an elder or pregnant lady have your seat when the situation calls for it?
But then again
When I commute late at night... on the last bus or train... There will be Ah Ma's and Ah Gong's still roaming about.. What the hell?
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Fair is foul, and foul is fair
Well its been 25 years and a week since I've conceived... Pretty much like MacDuff in Macbeth, I too was 'not of woman born'... Ok, for those who know Shakesphere, Macbeth was told by the witches that he only needed to fear a man who was not of woman born. To Macbeth's delight that would not have been possible for all man would have to eh..'come out' from a woman...
So here's the twist, as Macduff is about to decapitate Macbeth, he tells him that he was brutally torn out of his dying mother's 'sword opened' womb and thus fits the criteria of the 'not of woman born' thingy...needless to say, that caused Macbeth to run about like a headless chicken *get it? get it?*
And no... I was not brutally torn out of my mother's sword opened womb, my mom had a c-section...
Oh yes! Im a sentimental 'ol bastard
Anyways ever since Ive got a hand phone, I would always journal down the birthday sms's I get and so here's those from this year...
Fengmin 04/03/06, 9.28pm
Oh hey toby!!!! I almost forgot! Happy birthday!! May this special day brings u good health and much happiness through out the year! And all the best with ur job hunting!
Roderick 04/03/06 12.32pm
hey,happy birthday!
Alex 04/03/06 12.13am
happy bdae bro! I still rmb ur bdae k? hee.. so so swt rite?
Leon 03/03/06 11.06pm
Happy Birthday tob. And many more. Later
and the msn greetings
Lorraine:
Happy bday Toby! Continue to walk faithfully in ways Pleasing to God & may u walk closer to him as u u grow a yr older..blessed b'day
Jaques
happy belated birthday
Gao
happy birthday
Nifal
well..HAPPY belated BDAE ~!!!all the best on ur future endeavours
Shao
belateed happy bday on the 4th march
So thanks everyone, thanks for the coffee David, and thanks for the voucher FM, its been a tough couple of months and well thanks!
And I pray that God will continue to guide you in truth and wisdom...
Agape
Well its been 25 years and a week since I've conceived... Pretty much like MacDuff in Macbeth, I too was 'not of woman born'... Ok, for those who know Shakesphere, Macbeth was told by the witches that he only needed to fear a man who was not of woman born. To Macbeth's delight that would not have been possible for all man would have to eh..'come out' from a woman...
So here's the twist, as Macduff is about to decapitate Macbeth, he tells him that he was brutally torn out of his dying mother's 'sword opened' womb and thus fits the criteria of the 'not of woman born' thingy...needless to say, that caused Macbeth to run about like a headless chicken *get it? get it?*
And no... I was not brutally torn out of my mother's sword opened womb, my mom had a c-section...
Oh yes! Im a sentimental 'ol bastard
Anyways ever since Ive got a hand phone, I would always journal down the birthday sms's I get and so here's those from this year...
Fengmin 04/03/06, 9.28pm
Oh hey toby!!!! I almost forgot! Happy birthday!! May this special day brings u good health and much happiness through out the year! And all the best with ur job hunting!
Roderick 04/03/06 12.32pm
hey,happy birthday!
Alex 04/03/06 12.13am
happy bdae bro! I still rmb ur bdae k? hee.. so so swt rite?
Leon 03/03/06 11.06pm
Happy Birthday tob. And many more. Later
and the msn greetings
Lorraine:
Happy bday Toby! Continue to walk faithfully in ways Pleasing to God & may u walk closer to him as u u grow a yr older..blessed b'day
Jaques
happy belated birthday
Gao
happy birthday
Nifal
well..HAPPY belated BDAE ~!!!all the best on ur future endeavours
Shao
belateed happy bday on the 4th march
So thanks everyone, thanks for the coffee David, and thanks for the voucher FM, its been a tough couple of months and well thanks!
And I pray that God will continue to guide you in truth and wisdom...
Agape
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Blogs... Why read them?
Well for the longest time I've always wondered if my friends were 'bo liao' enough to read my blog, and to my surprise they do. I mean I personally wouldn't spend the time to read about another person's life and thoughts cause they dont really matter to me (lest they be my friends)
But anyways, today being the longest day in my life gives me tons to write about and well I kinda get why people read blogs... sometimes its just damn funny so lets begin.
The SQ Idel
After being bugged by my aunt (and bribed with a free meal) I shamefully applied for a position as an air steward with SIA. As it was an walk in, I thought that if I went early I would miss the crowd, but oh stupid stupid me... kiasu singaporeans were already queuing from 830 (the interviews started at 9) and the entire ballroom was already full as I stepped out of the lift. There were easily 300 applicants before me and man it looked like the queue from the singapore idle competition.
3.5 hours and 4 books of the bible later, it was my turn to enter the interview room. 12 of us were in there and were given the opportunity to give a short introduction and I was perhaps one of the most eloquent speakers but well to keep the story short... I didnt get the job... damn I must lose more weight... damn you fats!
Well it wasn't a total loss... I did have a good laugh...During the interview a guy had this to say about himself...
' I like water sports, thats why I'm so tan, and sporty....(he later goes on by saying) I should be a steward because I used to be an engineer and T3 was my big project .. ya thats why I should be a steward'... That really made my day, oh and I laughed out loud...bad move
The Brokeback mountain
Since Feng Min was at work, I met up with her and we spent the whole day together, so on impulse we decided to watch the critically acclaimed Borkeback mountain...sigh... it was critical alright...
During the entire movie the 2 china girls next to me were talking as the movie played...Feng Min (FM) suggested that it was because one of the girls needed a translation, only thing......it had chinese subtitles... Well anyways the movie was really slow but the cinematography was really good, story was weak and poorly played out (ooh damn i'm a critic)
There were many moments when I went *ahh..ah..ah..ahh...ahrgh...what the hell...* mainly the sudden 'drop your pants lets have sex in the tent' scene and the 'violent kissing witnessed by wife' scene...man was i traumatised...
So after the movie as FM and I were decending the escalator, 2 men (very affeminate men) were talking about Heath Ledger being an Auzzie and that being Australian was why he sounded like Crocodile Dundee... What the hell....
Green Socks and Leopard print shoes
Well for the longest time I've always wondered if my friends were 'bo liao' enough to read my blog, and to my surprise they do. I mean I personally wouldn't spend the time to read about another person's life and thoughts cause they dont really matter to me (lest they be my friends)
But anyways, today being the longest day in my life gives me tons to write about and well I kinda get why people read blogs... sometimes its just damn funny so lets begin.
The SQ Idel
After being bugged by my aunt (and bribed with a free meal) I shamefully applied for a position as an air steward with SIA. As it was an walk in, I thought that if I went early I would miss the crowd, but oh stupid stupid me... kiasu singaporeans were already queuing from 830 (the interviews started at 9) and the entire ballroom was already full as I stepped out of the lift. There were easily 300 applicants before me and man it looked like the queue from the singapore idle competition.
3.5 hours and 4 books of the bible later, it was my turn to enter the interview room. 12 of us were in there and were given the opportunity to give a short introduction and I was perhaps one of the most eloquent speakers but well to keep the story short... I didnt get the job... damn I must lose more weight... damn you fats!
Well it wasn't a total loss... I did have a good laugh...During the interview a guy had this to say about himself...
' I like water sports, thats why I'm so tan, and sporty....(he later goes on by saying) I should be a steward because I used to be an engineer and T3 was my big project .. ya thats why I should be a steward'... That really made my day, oh and I laughed out loud...bad move
The Brokeback mountain
Since Feng Min was at work, I met up with her and we spent the whole day together, so on impulse we decided to watch the critically acclaimed Borkeback mountain...sigh... it was critical alright...
During the entire movie the 2 china girls next to me were talking as the movie played...Feng Min (FM) suggested that it was because one of the girls needed a translation, only thing......it had chinese subtitles... Well anyways the movie was really slow but the cinematography was really good, story was weak and poorly played out (ooh damn i'm a critic)
There were many moments when I went *ahh..ah..ah..ahh...ahrgh...what the hell...* mainly the sudden 'drop your pants lets have sex in the tent' scene and the 'violent kissing witnessed by wife' scene...man was i traumatised...
So after the movie as FM and I were decending the escalator, 2 men (very affeminate men) were talking about Heath Ledger being an Auzzie and that being Australian was why he sounded like Crocodile Dundee... What the hell....
Green Socks and Leopard print shoes
We had dinner at Long Johns and FM pointed out that her 12 o'clock had a couple that didnt talk or meet eye to eye, so as I turned, I saw a pair of greensocks (with heart motiffs) and leopard print shoes and man they were ugly and thats not all.. they belonged to the dude... What the hell...
We then went up to Sembawang Music to look for a CD by the Perishers, well the sales person wasnt helpful at all...FM was looking at a jazz CD and he was trying to sell it and here was what he said... 'yah this compilation has 2 volumes, but volume 2 is better because..ah it is better....' what the hell?
Scissors, paper, stoned! (SPS)This was a situation I faced on my hour long bus journey home... A family boards the bus and so there was the dad, mom, brother, sister and maid. The father decided to play scissors, paper, stone with his kids and everytime his daughter wins, she screams with delight.. for the first 5 minutes, it was cute, 10mins later irritating and 5 minutes after that I wanted to break their fingers... I mean how can an adult and a child play SPS for over 20mins, the bus ride became insanely unbearable.
The other passengers were equally irritated but held their tongues (prob because we were all young) but then an uncle from infront came to the back and asked the father to keep quiet...
'Mister ah, can you please keep quiet please?'
The SPS playing piece of shit then replies 'Hah what har? can you speak up? I cant hear you'
'Mister please keep quiet la, you are disturbing everyone on the bus. If your childeren are playing and making noise then I have nothing to say. But you are an adult and you are making so much noise...'
The SPS playing piece of shit then replies 'Sorry har... I can't hear you can you speak up har?'
Wah it was damn irritating, his mannerisms and voice were ultra irritating! man...some people are just born pieces of shit... I pity the kids cause they're gonna grow up in their father's image...the poor little pieces of shit....
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Fish & Co sucks!
I mean you may disagree but honestly the dinner we had was terrible, it smelled worse then a wet market. Hmm actually I like the wet market smell, it is the smell of fresh produce with a hint of blood... whereas FAC just smelled of putrid fish.
Billy who sat next to me ordered oysters and WOOOO did it smell bad, judging from the colour and firmness of the dead molluscs, Billy's gonna have a bad case of the runs. Well it wasn't a total bummer... well not totally... It was quite a surprise to meet Olivia and Gazali, they were going to sing. After Kelvin came and had his dinner, we headed down to the Lot Stop and Barrel for drinks.
As Man Whore was flying off the next morning, he left Nana behind to do the packing (Kunye, if youre reading this know that youre not a man) ahahahaha! So this being the only time we've all been together in over a year, we had our annual 'family portrait'
Thursday, February 09, 2006
IQ Tests
I was reading the comics of Dilbert.com when suddenly a pop-up from tickle.com came up and well being jobless and all I decided to humilate myself by taking an IQ test and here were the results...
Congratulations, Toby!
Your IQ score is 126
This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Precision Processor. This means you're exceptionally good at discovering quick solutions to problems, especially ones that involve math or logic. You're also resourceful and able to think on your feet.
Ok the being able to solve logical problems I buy but not the math bit... Hmm but honestly its not an accurate test, Eh Han once told me that the average score for the IQ test is 100 and most people hover about that number, any higher and you would be a genius... Therefore since I've scored a 126, this test is bogus!
I was reading the comics of Dilbert.com when suddenly a pop-up from tickle.com came up and well being jobless and all I decided to humilate myself by taking an IQ test and here were the results...
Congratulations, Toby!
Your IQ score is 126
This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Precision Processor. This means you're exceptionally good at discovering quick solutions to problems, especially ones that involve math or logic. You're also resourceful and able to think on your feet.
Ok the being able to solve logical problems I buy but not the math bit... Hmm but honestly its not an accurate test, Eh Han once told me that the average score for the IQ test is 100 and most people hover about that number, any higher and you would be a genius... Therefore since I've scored a 126, this test is bogus!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Something old
I found an old blog which I had originally used when I first started writing. The posts were very upsetting as they were things I wrote about during my depression. None of which is worth mentioning but heres a post which meant alot. Idris wrote it and now that his blog site has been deleted here's something for us to remember Alfie by...
Thursday, April 14th, 2005
10:33 pm
Unsaid words: Words of Idris on Alfie's passing
Seems like yesterday we were brought into the Academy..I couldn't resist the sterotype look of a typical beng that you had and thought you were just one of 'those' people. But alas, my judgement was proved wrong. You were nothing close to that. In fact, you were an intelligent young man. A promising one at that.
I still remember all the good and bad times we had. I also remember you ranting about not being in OCT everytime you see their squad march by. Yeah.. you also proved alot of people wrong when you became the best trainee both academically and physically. Heh.. Those were days. Remember the time we wrestled? Yeah it was sheer barbaric fun but you fell and got pissed and then came charging at me.. haha! It was funny how we found comfort in these cheap thrills during our 6 months of torture in the Academy.
We went through thick and thin during those days in Tracom. We shared everything from toiletries to memories. We created plenty of those too..I hate myself for not remembering and cherishing our days together. Yeah we did not share much about our private lives but there was indeed a bond between all of us the "Holland Village" guys. We were more than squadmates.. We are brothers.
It was only recently that we had our renunion dinner. I dont usually remember dates but I'll never forget, 18th March. And I certainly wont forget today, April 14th. As usual, only 5 of us, the "Holland Village" guys, out of the whole squad turned up for the renunion dinner. You guys talked and crapped as I sat there laughing and listening to all your conversations. We all thought that it was just another renunion dinner and there was more to come.. I remember us discussing about bringing our kids and wives along next time but...Little did we know that another renunion was close by and it would be our last with you...
I dont know why, but I was emotionless when I saw you lying there. Not moving.. or breathing.. I waited for the moment when you would open your eyes, sit up, scare the shit out of everyone, laugh and tell us that it was all just a sadistic belated April Fool's joke. heh..
Needless to say, that never happened. What was I thinking..!You were really gone... !! But you're only 20.. !!How could this be!!?? Why you?!! I couldnt cry.. Honestly, I wanted to.. so bad that it hurts inside..
But I just couldnt let it out. Not even when you were being burried.. I dont know why.. I cant explain it..To go like that.. Not even a goodbye..Why now? Why do the tears come now as I write this?! Its been a long time since i cried.. I know you wont be reading this but I just want you to know that I regret not telling you how much of a friend, and a brother you have been to all of us during our last renunion.
It was a painful experience for all of us.. God loves you alot I guess..Rest in peace my dear friend, Alfie..
I found an old blog which I had originally used when I first started writing. The posts were very upsetting as they were things I wrote about during my depression. None of which is worth mentioning but heres a post which meant alot. Idris wrote it and now that his blog site has been deleted here's something for us to remember Alfie by...
Thursday, April 14th, 2005
10:33 pm
Unsaid words: Words of Idris on Alfie's passing
Seems like yesterday we were brought into the Academy..I couldn't resist the sterotype look of a typical beng that you had and thought you were just one of 'those' people. But alas, my judgement was proved wrong. You were nothing close to that. In fact, you were an intelligent young man. A promising one at that.
I still remember all the good and bad times we had. I also remember you ranting about not being in OCT everytime you see their squad march by. Yeah.. you also proved alot of people wrong when you became the best trainee both academically and physically. Heh.. Those were days. Remember the time we wrestled? Yeah it was sheer barbaric fun but you fell and got pissed and then came charging at me.. haha! It was funny how we found comfort in these cheap thrills during our 6 months of torture in the Academy.
We went through thick and thin during those days in Tracom. We shared everything from toiletries to memories. We created plenty of those too..I hate myself for not remembering and cherishing our days together. Yeah we did not share much about our private lives but there was indeed a bond between all of us the "Holland Village" guys. We were more than squadmates.. We are brothers.
It was only recently that we had our renunion dinner. I dont usually remember dates but I'll never forget, 18th March. And I certainly wont forget today, April 14th. As usual, only 5 of us, the "Holland Village" guys, out of the whole squad turned up for the renunion dinner. You guys talked and crapped as I sat there laughing and listening to all your conversations. We all thought that it was just another renunion dinner and there was more to come.. I remember us discussing about bringing our kids and wives along next time but...Little did we know that another renunion was close by and it would be our last with you...
I dont know why, but I was emotionless when I saw you lying there. Not moving.. or breathing.. I waited for the moment when you would open your eyes, sit up, scare the shit out of everyone, laugh and tell us that it was all just a sadistic belated April Fool's joke. heh..
Needless to say, that never happened. What was I thinking..!You were really gone... !! But you're only 20.. !!How could this be!!?? Why you?!! I couldnt cry.. Honestly, I wanted to.. so bad that it hurts inside..
But I just couldnt let it out. Not even when you were being burried.. I dont know why.. I cant explain it..To go like that.. Not even a goodbye..Why now? Why do the tears come now as I write this?! Its been a long time since i cried.. I know you wont be reading this but I just want you to know that I regret not telling you how much of a friend, and a brother you have been to all of us during our last renunion.
It was a painful experience for all of us.. God loves you alot I guess..Rest in peace my dear friend, Alfie..
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Zam Zam Zam Zam
The guys and I had an impromptu (is that how I spell it?) dinner appointment, I guess the joblessness was getting to me. So the evening started with Fattah, D'cruz and I having milkshakes at Mos Burger, Fattah had his shirt on inside out for a really long time till i noticed it...damn embarassing hahahaha..... After Idris' arrival we headed off to ZamZam for dinner.
ZamZam has been around for a really long time and it's pretty well known for its food, so we had a large order of chicken murtabak and mutton bryani...honestly its was no big deal...the man who served us on the other hand was extremely rude but hey it was nice of him to only charge us $16 for the entire meal which would have probably cost $20++
(and yes there is a typo on the picture)
So after our late dinner, we headed back to Bugis junction for CS... I've not played CS for 5 years and it all seemed so foreign to me but it didn't matter, I still sucked... Then again it was good fun, being with my NS buds. Reminicing the great times we had at the Police Academy really brought tears into our eyes especially now that Alfian is no longer around. Life has to go on...
The guys and I had an impromptu (is that how I spell it?) dinner appointment, I guess the joblessness was getting to me. So the evening started with Fattah, D'cruz and I having milkshakes at Mos Burger, Fattah had his shirt on inside out for a really long time till i noticed it...damn embarassing hahahaha..... After Idris' arrival we headed off to ZamZam for dinner.
ZamZam has been around for a really long time and it's pretty well known for its food, so we had a large order of chicken murtabak and mutton bryani...honestly its was no big deal...the man who served us on the other hand was extremely rude but hey it was nice of him to only charge us $16 for the entire meal which would have probably cost $20++
(and yes there is a typo on the picture)
So after our late dinner, we headed back to Bugis junction for CS... I've not played CS for 5 years and it all seemed so foreign to me but it didn't matter, I still sucked... Then again it was good fun, being with my NS buds. Reminicing the great times we had at the Police Academy really brought tears into our eyes especially now that Alfian is no longer around. Life has to go on... 
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Eh What?
Yes yes, as some of you may know, my dad fired me today! Why? one word...STEPMOM! Wendy has been complaining behind my back for the longest time now and last night she has finally succeded in kicking me out of the restuarant.
The Conversation
This afternoon Mr Lim (note: came up to me and said "you must listen to Aunty Wendy"
So I replied "When did I not listen to her?"
"Last night"
"Last night? What did she tell me to do that I didn't do?"
"I don't know...She didn't tell me"
"You don't know? And so how did you know that I didn't listen to her?"
"You don't keep talking back"
"I am not talking back! I am trying to find out whats wrong so that I can explain myself"
"You by talking back is already wrong!"
"Look dad, you never give me a chance to explain. How can you say that I'm wrong even when I'm right?"
"There's no need to explain because you are always wrong!"
"I'm always wrong? OK FINE!"
My dad ponders...
"I know what to do, this is the end!"
"The end? Just like that huh? Let me tell you something! I am only here because I want to be an obedient son to you! I had to give up my plans to study at the uni, I had to give up the jobs that I liked all because I wanted to know who my father is, but you have never treated me like your son and all you listen to is your wife, you never listen to me"
"You think you're so great don't you? Let's see how you survive outside"
" I was survivng fine and I loved my life outside, I had to quit a job I liked! But I gave it all up for you! I never wanted to take over the business I never wanted your money"
Ok what am I to do now?
I was very very very sad at the fact that my father had decided to ask me to leave. For months I have contemplated leaving but I knew that God's timing is not up. The only criteria which has to be fufilled for my departure would be that if my own father would tell me to leave. Today was such a day. Saddened but not greiving, I have completed the task at hand and I feel no regrets with the choices and actions I have made in my 3 months at the restaurant. God was the inspiration and guide through this phase in my life, I praise Him for leading me through it. I have tried to honour my father, it is he who has rejected it. Now I shall continue on but giving honour to God.
I shall now first enjoy me Chinese New Year, and then the job hunt begins. And I will take serious consideration with the option to study in QUT as another offer letter has just come in
Yes yes, as some of you may know, my dad fired me today! Why? one word...STEPMOM! Wendy has been complaining behind my back for the longest time now and last night she has finally succeded in kicking me out of the restuarant.
The Conversation
This afternoon Mr Lim (note: came up to me and said "you must listen to Aunty Wendy"
So I replied "When did I not listen to her?"
"Last night"
"Last night? What did she tell me to do that I didn't do?"
"I don't know...She didn't tell me"
"You don't know? And so how did you know that I didn't listen to her?"
"You don't keep talking back"
"I am not talking back! I am trying to find out whats wrong so that I can explain myself"
"You by talking back is already wrong!"
"Look dad, you never give me a chance to explain. How can you say that I'm wrong even when I'm right?"
"There's no need to explain because you are always wrong!"
"I'm always wrong? OK FINE!"
My dad ponders...
"I know what to do, this is the end!"
"The end? Just like that huh? Let me tell you something! I am only here because I want to be an obedient son to you! I had to give up my plans to study at the uni, I had to give up the jobs that I liked all because I wanted to know who my father is, but you have never treated me like your son and all you listen to is your wife, you never listen to me"
"You think you're so great don't you? Let's see how you survive outside"
" I was survivng fine and I loved my life outside, I had to quit a job I liked! But I gave it all up for you! I never wanted to take over the business I never wanted your money"
Ok what am I to do now?
I was very very very sad at the fact that my father had decided to ask me to leave. For months I have contemplated leaving but I knew that God's timing is not up. The only criteria which has to be fufilled for my departure would be that if my own father would tell me to leave. Today was such a day. Saddened but not greiving, I have completed the task at hand and I feel no regrets with the choices and actions I have made in my 3 months at the restaurant. God was the inspiration and guide through this phase in my life, I praise Him for leading me through it. I have tried to honour my father, it is he who has rejected it. Now I shall continue on but giving honour to God.
I shall now first enjoy me Chinese New Year, and then the job hunt begins. And I will take serious consideration with the option to study in QUT as another offer letter has just come in
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Something you guys didn't know...
Well... as like the past 4 years, I've spent my New Year's at home... Yup! (neither was I deployed for a New Year's duty) anyways whilst I was watching tv, the stroke of midnight rung and gone was 2005. Kids at the playground were screaming 'Happy New Year!' swinging on the swings *swinging on the swings..sounds wrong...but it's right* people were yelling from their balconies and I was trying to watch MTV but that didn't stop me from peeking out of the window to see all the excitement.
When I peered out I saw something which jolted my memories, and apparently this event happens every New Year's... The ships at sea will set off flares and blow their horns, the entire sight is magnificant .... So here are some pictures
Well... as like the past 4 years, I've spent my New Year's at home... Yup! (neither was I deployed for a New Year's duty) anyways whilst I was watching tv, the stroke of midnight rung and gone was 2005. Kids at the playground were screaming 'Happy New Year!' swinging on the swings *swinging on the swings..sounds wrong...but it's right* people were yelling from their balconies and I was trying to watch MTV but that didn't stop me from peeking out of the window to see all the excitement.
When I peered out I saw something which jolted my memories, and apparently this event happens every New Year's... The ships at sea will set off flares and blow their horns, the entire sight is magnificant .... So here are some pictures
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned
Aiyaiyai... What words of wisdom, my stepmom is pissed at me...again... ... well God has continued to remind me that my purpose here is to serve Him and that through all the problems, we will work things out to His Glory... anyways heres a conversation I had with Wendy the other day..
Wendy: Toby, bring the food back for Ah-mah
Toby: Ok, can I bring 2 coconuts back for Ah-mah too?
Wendy: This type of thing don't need to ask what, just take!
Toby: No, it's not like that I just wanted to ask for your permission...
Wendy: (Yelling) What is your problem Toby? Ever since you started work here you have been giving me attitude! You keep talking back and you disrespect me!
Toby thinks to himself: What the HELL?
The Tough Cookie
Anyways this woman has definately got a problem... She's totally insecure with everything and she wants everyone to like her... Too bad for her I'm some what a challenge, honestly I have nothing against her...I've let bygones be bygones, but she's been proving her tryranic ways through the way she treats her workers (and me)...
I'm just gonna be a tough cookie...one that you wouldnt even try to chew...A tough cookie with a soft inside... A tough cookie that God baked
Aiyaiyai... What words of wisdom, my stepmom is pissed at me...again... ... well God has continued to remind me that my purpose here is to serve Him and that through all the problems, we will work things out to His Glory... anyways heres a conversation I had with Wendy the other day..
Wendy: Toby, bring the food back for Ah-mah
Toby: Ok, can I bring 2 coconuts back for Ah-mah too?
Wendy: This type of thing don't need to ask what, just take!
Toby: No, it's not like that I just wanted to ask for your permission...
Wendy: (Yelling) What is your problem Toby? Ever since you started work here you have been giving me attitude! You keep talking back and you disrespect me!
Toby thinks to himself: What the HELL?
The Tough Cookie
Anyways this woman has definately got a problem... She's totally insecure with everything and she wants everyone to like her... Too bad for her I'm some what a challenge, honestly I have nothing against her...I've let bygones be bygones, but she's been proving her tryranic ways through the way she treats her workers (and me)...
I'm just gonna be a tough cookie...one that you wouldnt even try to chew...A tough cookie with a soft inside... A tough cookie that God baked
Thursday, December 29, 2005
The Theraphy of Mutilating Vegetables
I've resolved to be a little positive in my outlook of life...Theres too much to love and too much to hate for me to expand my energies on simply gloating on the latter so Woo Hoo!
I've been preparing vegetables for the kitchen and its been wonderful, getting myself immersed in the joy of killing/mutilitating a living entity. There's something hypnotic about peeling off the skin that would have clung onto a sweet potato leaf stem, I feel peace at the thought of pulling off the umbilical cord (which is the stem) to a fetal chili padi. There is satisfication from knowing that all the kang kong has been plucked to a uniform length and that the garlic is now naked and is ready for crushing...
Oh the beauty that has been born from the sacrifices of an original form!
Oh and if you were wondering... The restaurant no longer has any vegetables for me to prepare
I've resolved to be a little positive in my outlook of life...Theres too much to love and too much to hate for me to expand my energies on simply gloating on the latter so Woo Hoo!
I've been preparing vegetables for the kitchen and its been wonderful, getting myself immersed in the joy of killing/mutilitating a living entity. There's something hypnotic about peeling off the skin that would have clung onto a sweet potato leaf stem, I feel peace at the thought of pulling off the umbilical cord (which is the stem) to a fetal chili padi. There is satisfication from knowing that all the kang kong has been plucked to a uniform length and that the garlic is now naked and is ready for crushing...
Oh the beauty that has been born from the sacrifices of an original form!
Oh and if you were wondering... The restaurant no longer has any vegetables for me to prepare
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
ARG! I hate it here!
Its been 3 weeks since I've started work at the restaurant and I must say, things between my dad and I have gotten much better. The workers are also having a better time with me as a buffer between them and my dad... The only problem I face now is my step-mother...
I have a great dislike for her work ethics and the manner of which she speaks to her workers (myself included).
The other day we went into a senseless arguement over a chinese word which I had mis-read. She started to kick up a fuss about how she had wasted all that money on my chinese tution when I was a kid, I replied 'well at least I speak good english' She then continued to justify her point on my 'money-wasting' ways as a child and that I spoke good english because of the enviroment I was brought up in...Well it did occur to me that it was a waste of money to have chinese tution..I mean come on, which parent wouldn't spend time teaching their own child..OH OPPS...DEAR ME... I DIDN'T HAVE A MOTHER AS I WAS GROWING UP BECAUSE SOME BITCH WAS THE THIRD PARTY IN MY PARENT'S MARRIAGE! WHICH LED ME TO LIVE MY CHILDHOOD ALONE AS A CHILD, FENDING AND GROWING UP BY WHICHEVER MEANS I WAS EXPOSED TO. AND NOW I DISPITE MY OUTWARD NATURE, HAVE A YEARNING FOR PEOPLE'S RECGONITION AS I GOT NONE FROM MY PARENTS AS THEY WERE TOO BUSY PICKING UP THE PIECES OF THEIR OWN LIVES TO CARE ABOUT MY BROTHER AND ME! THATS RIGHT! I DID WASTE ALL THAT MONEY HAVING CHINESE TUTION! Ok it wasnt as if I yelled that at her but i did come from a dysfunctional family..and well it is apparent that this woman has relinquished all her responsibilities as a 'my' parent to cater to her own family...I was now the third party in her family...
Oh and Yeah!
My dad actually got me a namecard ( which totally shocked me) but anyways only me name apperared on it and when i asked where my mobile number was he only replied 'You want your number there, then you write la' ......What the hell? Anyways I took it a step further and designed a new one and here it is! Do call me if you need someone to design namecards for ya!
Its been 3 weeks since I've started work at the restaurant and I must say, things between my dad and I have gotten much better. The workers are also having a better time with me as a buffer between them and my dad... The only problem I face now is my step-mother...
I have a great dislike for her work ethics and the manner of which she speaks to her workers (myself included).
The other day we went into a senseless arguement over a chinese word which I had mis-read. She started to kick up a fuss about how she had wasted all that money on my chinese tution when I was a kid, I replied 'well at least I speak good english' She then continued to justify her point on my 'money-wasting' ways as a child and that I spoke good english because of the enviroment I was brought up in...Well it did occur to me that it was a waste of money to have chinese tution..I mean come on, which parent wouldn't spend time teaching their own child..OH OPPS...DEAR ME... I DIDN'T HAVE A MOTHER AS I WAS GROWING UP BECAUSE SOME BITCH WAS THE THIRD PARTY IN MY PARENT'S MARRIAGE! WHICH LED ME TO LIVE MY CHILDHOOD ALONE AS A CHILD, FENDING AND GROWING UP BY WHICHEVER MEANS I WAS EXPOSED TO. AND NOW I DISPITE MY OUTWARD NATURE, HAVE A YEARNING FOR PEOPLE'S RECGONITION AS I GOT NONE FROM MY PARENTS AS THEY WERE TOO BUSY PICKING UP THE PIECES OF THEIR OWN LIVES TO CARE ABOUT MY BROTHER AND ME! THATS RIGHT! I DID WASTE ALL THAT MONEY HAVING CHINESE TUTION! Ok it wasnt as if I yelled that at her but i did come from a dysfunctional family..and well it is apparent that this woman has relinquished all her responsibilities as a 'my' parent to cater to her own family...I was now the third party in her family...
Oh and Yeah!
My dad actually got me a namecard ( which totally shocked me) but anyways only me name apperared on it and when i asked where my mobile number was he only replied 'You want your number there, then you write la' ......What the hell? Anyways I took it a step further and designed a new one and here it is! Do call me if you need someone to design namecards for ya!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Why aren't you yellow too?
Yesterday a Taiwanese lady came to the restaurant yelling about how her crab from the previous day wasn't meaty and one claw was small and she was cheated (honestly if you think about it, the crabs are sold by weight, so if 1 claw was small then it would have been lighter thus the price would have been lower anyway, thus no cheating...stupid cow). She demanded to see my father (who wasn't around) and so I stepped up to the plate, the moment she saw me her first words were "you are such a beautiful boy"...
I was like *WHAT THE HELL?*...
Anyways, she was pretty happy that I was serving her and she selected a couple of crabs and weighed them. I had put the crabs in the basket before putting them on the scale and she asked what the weight was and asked if I was going to deduct the weight of the basket and well I told her the basket didn't weigh much and asked if it was ok if i just charged her 2kg for the crabs..she said ok...
3 minutes later, she came for the bill and asked how heavy the crabs were and I told her 2kg... She started becoming estastic and yelled "2kg? what about the basket"...
"Well mdm, I thought I told you the basket wouldn't weigh too much and you said 2kg was ok" I replied...
"No! you cannot charge me for the basket, you are so DISHONEST just like your father!"
'SNAP' something in my brain went off...This bitch had the audacity to call me a dishonest person! I was PISSED! VERY VERY PISSED! WAH! Woman you have no idea who you are speaking to!
But I withheld my anger and went on my normal business..so for the entire time the bitch was there she kept complaining about everything...'What the hell? If you always have bad experiences eating here then why the hell do you keep coming back?'
The only thing that kept me going was the pharse Yung used 'Aiyah They're just too cheap to pay more' ...O words of wisdom I thank thee! Yes the appropriate word in this situation is indeed CHEAP! I mean just to let you know...the cost price for the crabs are $24 and we sell them at $30, our profit margin is only 6 dollars so if I charge you 100g more for the basket ($3 more) just 'suck thumb' and be a generous person...Coz the restuarant doesn't charge the 10% service and 5%gst...perhaps due to the trauma my staff are put through I should implement a 10% service charge...
Well anyways, to relieve the situation I offered the taiwanese lady a small dish of preserved chili, black bean and green papaya. I told her it was something I had just brought back from China...She looked at the dish and said 'take it back, we don't eat things from China'
What the hell? bloody snob!...You reject my kindness and insult the people of my ancestors?...I couldn't take another moment of taiwanese shit this bitch was dishing out of her mouth...
Throughout the entire time she was there she had called my father stupid, scholded all my workers, insulted me...wah can die!
Oh the shame!
That evening I told my step-mom about the 'si gui san ba' (dead ghost 38) and all she said to me was..dont say that about other people..she has been eating here for years, she brings business... What the hell! She insulted my father and me! I would'nt stoop that low to earn that kind of money, we are dignified people and I will never grovel at the feet of others...especially not for money that I can earn honestly! I am very disappointed...
Yesterday a Taiwanese lady came to the restaurant yelling about how her crab from the previous day wasn't meaty and one claw was small and she was cheated (honestly if you think about it, the crabs are sold by weight, so if 1 claw was small then it would have been lighter thus the price would have been lower anyway, thus no cheating...stupid cow). She demanded to see my father (who wasn't around) and so I stepped up to the plate, the moment she saw me her first words were "you are such a beautiful boy"...
I was like *WHAT THE HELL?*...
Anyways, she was pretty happy that I was serving her and she selected a couple of crabs and weighed them. I had put the crabs in the basket before putting them on the scale and she asked what the weight was and asked if I was going to deduct the weight of the basket and well I told her the basket didn't weigh much and asked if it was ok if i just charged her 2kg for the crabs..she said ok...
3 minutes later, she came for the bill and asked how heavy the crabs were and I told her 2kg... She started becoming estastic and yelled "2kg? what about the basket"...
"Well mdm, I thought I told you the basket wouldn't weigh too much and you said 2kg was ok" I replied...
"No! you cannot charge me for the basket, you are so DISHONEST just like your father!"
'SNAP' something in my brain went off...This bitch had the audacity to call me a dishonest person! I was PISSED! VERY VERY PISSED! WAH! Woman you have no idea who you are speaking to!
But I withheld my anger and went on my normal business..so for the entire time the bitch was there she kept complaining about everything...'What the hell? If you always have bad experiences eating here then why the hell do you keep coming back?'
The only thing that kept me going was the pharse Yung used 'Aiyah They're just too cheap to pay more' ...O words of wisdom I thank thee! Yes the appropriate word in this situation is indeed CHEAP! I mean just to let you know...the cost price for the crabs are $24 and we sell them at $30, our profit margin is only 6 dollars so if I charge you 100g more for the basket ($3 more) just 'suck thumb' and be a generous person...Coz the restuarant doesn't charge the 10% service and 5%gst...perhaps due to the trauma my staff are put through I should implement a 10% service charge...
Well anyways, to relieve the situation I offered the taiwanese lady a small dish of preserved chili, black bean and green papaya. I told her it was something I had just brought back from China...She looked at the dish and said 'take it back, we don't eat things from China'
What the hell? bloody snob!...You reject my kindness and insult the people of my ancestors?...I couldn't take another moment of taiwanese shit this bitch was dishing out of her mouth...
Throughout the entire time she was there she had called my father stupid, scholded all my workers, insulted me...wah can die!
Oh the shame!
That evening I told my step-mom about the 'si gui san ba' (dead ghost 38) and all she said to me was..dont say that about other people..she has been eating here for years, she brings business... What the hell! She insulted my father and me! I would'nt stoop that low to earn that kind of money, we are dignified people and I will never grovel at the feet of others...especially not for money that I can earn honestly! I am very disappointed...
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Wedding Bells
Today's Yu Jin & Ivy's wedding! Attending another church wedding is kinda drag, not that I've got anything against it but I already have some problems with attending church (pretending that everything is good and being smiley to everyone)... A church wedding definitely amplifies the already stressful weekly church attendance.
Well furthermore this is my second church wedding this year and well...I'm getting tired of sitting alone on the pew whilst everyone is declaring and/or reminancing(remembering) their love for each other...not knowing if I'll ever be married!
I suck...
Today's Yu Jin & Ivy's wedding! Attending another church wedding is kinda drag, not that I've got anything against it but I already have some problems with attending church (pretending that everything is good and being smiley to everyone)... A church wedding definitely amplifies the already stressful weekly church attendance.
Well furthermore this is my second church wedding this year and well...I'm getting tired of sitting alone on the pew whilst everyone is declaring and/or reminancing(remembering) their love for each other...not knowing if I'll ever be married!
I suck...
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
It's almost over!
Ahhh (sigh of relief)... My 2 week vacation shall draw to a close today and man I can't wait to head home... Vietnam has killed me...twice...Well before I came to Vietnam I had my fears and uneasy thoughts but now I'm plain 'o pissed scared...
I doubt I'll ever return to Vietnam for a holiday, the people at Thuy Lam Hotel have been nice, but everywhere else has been a wicked experience...Well being cheated at every corner from the 70,000 vnd taxi ride into the town from You Yi Guan, to the Mango lady with her overpriced mangoes... I knew I needed a good sense of humour to get by, but after a while things can't seem funny anymore.
It was a daily struggle to cross the street and put off the motorbike touters... I naively thought that since it was Vietnam (a country which fought for what it believed in and stood aganist oppressors) the people would be dignified, humble and honest... sigh.. oh well I suppose its the same everywhere huh? (although China was fantastic)
The People I've Met (Credits)
Well this trip wouldn't have been the same if I've not met the following people
Mr Mahn (Mike) the Cab Driver from the airport
Theng (tank)
Moon
Tihn
Tao
Bao Lian
Sheng Jie
Gui Ying
Chui Ling
Hui Hong
The Lady Boss of Long Chuan
The 2 girls at the 9th floor of Long Chuan
Kim
Angela
Jia Ling
These are all blessings that God has provided and I am thankful for His providence.
Ahhh (sigh of relief)... My 2 week vacation shall draw to a close today and man I can't wait to head home... Vietnam has killed me...twice...Well before I came to Vietnam I had my fears and uneasy thoughts but now I'm plain 'o pissed scared...
I doubt I'll ever return to Vietnam for a holiday, the people at Thuy Lam Hotel have been nice, but everywhere else has been a wicked experience...Well being cheated at every corner from the 70,000 vnd taxi ride into the town from You Yi Guan, to the Mango lady with her overpriced mangoes... I knew I needed a good sense of humour to get by, but after a while things can't seem funny anymore.
It was a daily struggle to cross the street and put off the motorbike touters... I naively thought that since it was Vietnam (a country which fought for what it believed in and stood aganist oppressors) the people would be dignified, humble and honest... sigh.. oh well I suppose its the same everywhere huh? (although China was fantastic)
The People I've Met (Credits)
Well this trip wouldn't have been the same if I've not met the following people
Mr Mahn (Mike) the Cab Driver from the airport
Theng (tank)
Moon
Tihn
Tao
Bao Lian
Sheng Jie
Gui Ying
Chui Ling
Hui Hong
The Lady Boss of Long Chuan
The 2 girls at the 9th floor of Long Chuan
Kim
Angela
Jia Ling
These are all blessings that God has provided and I am thankful for His providence.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
I'm flying off at 1610hrs
Hurhurhur...people still ask why I'm going to Vietnam dispite the Bird flu... I aint got a good answer... but wish me well. Oh if i do die on this trip, do remember that I would like to have a christian funeral and whatever money i have goes to my mom...
Yeah I say this everytime I go overseas... but i don't see how it could be more different..I mean the chances to die in singapore compared to overseas is the same i suppose...
Ahh but it doesnt matter to me if i die, i know where im going...
well guys see you when i get back on the 22nd Nov 05
Agape
Tobias
Hurhurhur...people still ask why I'm going to Vietnam dispite the Bird flu... I aint got a good answer... but wish me well. Oh if i do die on this trip, do remember that I would like to have a christian funeral and whatever money i have goes to my mom...
Yeah I say this everytime I go overseas... but i don't see how it could be more different..I mean the chances to die in singapore compared to overseas is the same i suppose...
Ahh but it doesnt matter to me if i die, i know where im going...
well guys see you when i get back on the 22nd Nov 05
Agape
Tobias
Monday, November 07, 2005
Land of a Million dead Chickens (and ducks)
It's utterly amazing that I am still going to Vietnam after all thats happened with the bird flu epedemic. But hey a $4.89 ticket is a $4.89 ticket...
Well at least my family was supportive of the idea...(having give me some money for the trip) and some sound advice 'Don't eat chicken' NOW what more do I need? ahh yes more money I suppose...*sigh...money*
This being my 5th trip abroad (alone) I have honed my skills of being an 'ameture cheepo', advancing to the 'novice cheepo' status.
Do note that the 'grandmaster cheepo' status is reserved soley for singaporean uncles and aunties who queue up (and camp) the night before a grand-opening sale, or travel all the way into JB just to buy soft drinks (for the soft drink prices in singapore are unbelivable).
Anyways...yes I'm a 'novice cheepo' a sign of such is that I can say the phrase 'This is too expensive, can I have it cheaper" in Thai, Vietnamese, French, German and Swede...(you'll never know when you'll need it). So i'll be staying in the usual guesthouses and travelling by public transport, namely the bus and man it can get very cheap.
Yeah... A phrase book, a buide book, some money and a bible...I'm all set...
It's utterly amazing that I am still going to Vietnam after all thats happened with the bird flu epedemic. But hey a $4.89 ticket is a $4.89 ticket...
Well at least my family was supportive of the idea...(having give me some money for the trip) and some sound advice 'Don't eat chicken' NOW what more do I need? ahh yes more money I suppose...*sigh...money*
This being my 5th trip abroad (alone) I have honed my skills of being an 'ameture cheepo', advancing to the 'novice cheepo' status.
Do note that the 'grandmaster cheepo' status is reserved soley for singaporean uncles and aunties who queue up (and camp) the night before a grand-opening sale, or travel all the way into JB just to buy soft drinks (for the soft drink prices in singapore are unbelivable).
Anyways...yes I'm a 'novice cheepo' a sign of such is that I can say the phrase 'This is too expensive, can I have it cheaper" in Thai, Vietnamese, French, German and Swede...(you'll never know when you'll need it). So i'll be staying in the usual guesthouses and travelling by public transport, namely the bus and man it can get very cheap.
Yeah... A phrase book, a buide book, some money and a bible...I'm all set...
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