Car

Was talking to my friend the other day, and he was telling me a second hand off-peak car, with 5yrs left, cost around $25k, which seems a pretty good deal.

So we did some maths, that's $5k/yr, or $800/month. After adding fuel, insurance, road tax, season parking.. it goes up to at least $1.3k-$1.5k/month, barring any unforeseen incidents.

That's an additional $1k/month of transport cost.. the equivalent of a Europe holiday every 3 months. Seems like there's no way I'm getting a car anytime soon.

30

And the conversation was revolving around age, a colleague was celebrating his 27th bday.

One commented that, after 30, time will pass very fast.

And I went, "At least I did the thing I always wanted to do before I reach 30!"

About Time

Had the opportunity to watch this today. 

Really nice show, that have a different take on time travelling, and some thought-provoking moments. 

Like going through every day a second time. 

It's not a dramatic show, the movie actually paced along quite steadily. But it's a perfect movie to watch on a Sunday afternoon. 

I miss travelling.

In the end I couldn't resist, and bought a monitor from the Comex Show. A want more than a need.

Feeling the guilt now.

7 Essential Life Lessons From Kids' To-Do Lists

http://mashable.com/2013/08/22/cute-kids-to-do-lists/

It's easy to forget the basics in life, that we all need reminders from kids from time to time.

Days

And so it's been 3 weeks since I started work.

The ample time that was on my hand is now gone. Every available time on hand has become more precious now. Spending Saturday afternoon sleeping away seems like a waste now.. argh... But it's a much needed rest, from toiling away every weekdays.

Did manage to clear my ippt yesterday though I was robbed of a further $100 from a faulty pull-up machine that missed my 2nd pull, and an instructor who was supposed to be watching me but wasn't.

Just some random rambling..

A Worrying Future Indeed

An observer looking on might be forgiven for concluding that Singaporeans have turned inwards, jealously guarding and endlessly stirring up a precious pot of curry. In contrast, external issues and events, from a rising China and rising sea levels from climate change to how rapid changes in technology might impact workers and industries here, seemed a world away.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/08/11/when-singapore-had-a-dream.html

Person and Time

Was listening to Yes933 a while ago, and heard this:

我们常常盼望着遇见对的人，可是当我们遇见对的人时，会不会在对的时间呢？

A lot of times, you met the right person, but not at the right time.

Same but different

July came and went.. well almost. In another few days, I be back on the same work desk I left 1.5 years ago. It's going to be same, but different. Same team, different people. Same work, different people. Same office, but plenty of new faces.

Same me, but this time it's going to be different. In anime terms, I feel I have leveled up over the past 1.5 years. Stronger and better.

Decisions decisions decisions.

The more it affects you, the harder it is to make the call.

Dream Job

Been contemplating different work options recently, and an advice popped up, telling me to find something I like, my dream job.

Is there anything that would constitute a dream job to you?

The problem is, I don't have a dream job right now. Being able to find one that I can do well in, and which also allows me to learn new things, is what matters to me now.

The one thing that I like doing now, still has some way to go to be a viable option, and even then, it's going to be tough to be sustainable long-term without a proper business plan.

Kind of reminds me of my study days, where I decided to go to JC because I didn't want to decide which course to take yet. Took up Business course in Uni because it's more interesting. Made a few deferred choices along the way, because I still dunno what I want out of life as I approach 30.

Except that I needed money to fund any future trips.

Be Responsible

Saw another video of an accident, this time it happened at a carwash not far from my place, causing 2 deaths. With the prevalence of in-car videocams, more and more videos are making their way onto the net, and it's scary to watch these sometimes. Even more surreal is the fact that lives can end so easily, sometimes not of your own doing. These people are just working like any other day.

People really need to take more responsibility when they are behind the wheel.

Taking Stock

Half the year is gone, let's see what I have done so far:

Cingjing

Went on a 24-days trip to Taiwan, and visited practically every night market there. Managed to meet the suppliers I have been working with in my previous job, and also visited a number of cities and even Green island. Comparatively I think Taiwan is a harder place to go around than S.Korea, because there's less information on the net, and public transport is not that convenient. Managed to cycle round the southern tip of Kenting, drove a bike on Green Island, drove the east coast between Hualien and Taidong.

Finishing line

Run my 3rd marathon, this time it's a night run. Although I was utterly disappointed with my run, I'm still happy to be able to complete it.

Penang Hill

Spent more time with my parents, since I have been home, and my mum also stopped working. Also managed to bring them to Penang, a place where my Mum said she wanted to go since more than 20 years ago.







Been working on a little project for the past few months. It's gonna be a make or break quarter for Q3.

I think taking stock of your life every once in a while is really important, it gives you the chance to pause and think about what you really want. Otherwise life will pass you by very fast and it's scary sometimes.

Shall find something new to learn in the 2nd half of the year.

Thoughts

The hands hold tight in anticipation of any sudden movement. Heartbeat increases, eyes trying to focus and keep the mind calm.

Taken the plane so many times and yet, turbulence is one thing that I will never get used to. The worst ever I have experienced is on a Laos airline plane from Luang Prabang to Chiangmai; texted a friend immediately after that and pondered how she ever get used to that on her job. Given my frequency of flying, I hope I never get to experience those sudden drop of 50ft or 100ft, like that on a recent SQ plane.

Which is also why I wonder when I will ever accumulate enough courage to leap off the platform, aka bungee jump.

Self Reflection

A few things I realised on this trip

- People here don't use signal lights
- Motorbikes drive dangerously here with few regards for their own safety
- I get distracted easily while driving
- Google Map doesn't have navigation function or street view here
- I have little patience for my own parents ( my bad), or people close to me for that matter
- There's really nothing much to do in Penang except eat, eat, and eat

Looking back

Saw some old letters, read things tt was really important to me, and wondered why I didnt have the eyesight to see it then. 

到头来, 当时的我还是不够成熟。现在只能用后悔的眼睛望着过去。

Wedding

First time I attended a wedding with myself in more than 10 photos of the photo slideshow. Me and Seewei got pretty excited by that fact haha.. It was nice catching up with these guys, missed those days of fun and laughter with them. It's been a long 6 years since then, and we were reminding each other we gonna be back there in 4yrs time.

On another note, FINALLY attended a wedding without shark fins. I was getting tired of hearing people give lame excuses like "the sharks are already dead anyway". Yay!

Marathon

Shall not run another marathon unless I can get below 2hrs for half marathon.

Utterly disappointed with my timing.

Growing Up

As you grow older, I realise that

- It becomes harder and harder to keep your fitness. It requires double the effort for the same result now.

- Friends do drift apart, even those you considered close just a few years ago.

- Circle of friends gets smaller and circle of acquaintances gets larger.

- Growing old is not scary, it's more scary to watch people around you grow old and you kind of realise there's a limit to how long they be around.

- Things will always change even if you stay the same.

- Priorities change. But it does not get any clearer what I really want out of life.

A Story

There was a man who prayed to a stone god, “Dear God, please help me to win the lottery! Please, God, please! Help me to win the lottery.” The next day, the man prayed the same prayer. “Dear God, please help me to win the lottery! Please, God, please! Help me to win the lottery!” And, the next day he prayed the exact same prayer! “Dear God, please help me to win the lottery! Please, God, please! Help me to win the lottery."
Now the story goes that the man prayed this prayer day after day, month after month, until one day something happened. The stone god came to life and stood before the man and said, “Dear Son, please! Please, Son, please! Buy a lottery ticket!”

Minimalist Living

I think I'm getting better and better at this. Getting rid of my consumerism side was not an intended outcome from not having a job, but it's certainly a good effect. Many times, we buy things based on the wants to buy; you don't necessarily need it, and you could certainly go without it, but you still buy it anyway. You earn more, and it spurs you to spend more, and you wonder where all those money go.

Evil Santa

Road Users

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/changi-accident-third-cyclist-killed-three-days-20130505

Cycling in Singapore is a dangerous affair, at the mercy of unforgiving road users who behave like a bully.

Perhaps it's the prohibitive cost of owning a car. Perhaps it's the crowded roads. When people get behind the wheels, they become another person, one that knows no basic courtesy for other road users, one that gets impatient and short fumed easily. The other day I just saw a lorry and a car exchanging horns, lorry wanted to change lanes, car did not give way, lorry horn car, car horn lorry. And car driver took the hassle to wind down window and put out his hand showing the middle finger.

Seriously.. is it so hard to give and take?

Old

As far as I refuse to admit, my body is getting older by the day. Not that it's giving me any problem, but my stamina have been dropping, and these days, I can feel my right ankle being loose.

I hope I can be like on of those old man, having the discipline to run even when they reach half a century years old. 

Meanwhile, it's time to buck up and prepare for my upcoming Sundown Marathon. 

Sad News

Woke up to a sadden news today, of 2 bombs going off at the Boston marathon in America. It's hard to fathom what went through the minds of the people who done this, but what's unmistakable is that the lives of those affected have changed drastically. Someone lost a love one, some lost their limbs. The unimaginable hurt.

Humans are probably the most complex creature on earth. And also the most destructive, to others and to self.

Foreign Workers

I don't know about you, but this idea seems ridiculous to me. It's like putting them in an invisible prison. What kind of society are we in?

They deserve more than this, really.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/s-pore-open-to-housing/631856.html

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said Singapore is open to the idea of housing some foreign workers at nearby offshore islands.

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Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan speaking in Parliament on 8 April 2013.

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SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said Singapore is open to the idea of housing some foreign workers at nearby offshore islands.

In a written reply to a question in Parliament on Monday, he said the country has in fact housed workers on Jurong Island and Pulau Brani, at different times and durations.

However, he said not all offshore islands are suitable, due to the availability of supporting infrastructure such as sewers, as well as other planning considerations. 

The government will continue to look for suitable opportunities to help house foreign workers properly and without causing too much inconvenience to them or to Singaporeans. 

My mind have a tendency to attribute blame whenever things don't go accordingly to plan. Need to change that.

Reverse Culture Shock

http://b2b.meetplango.com/category/coming-back-home-after-a-career-break/

Exactly what I'm feeling.

Back home, boredom can happen pretty fast if you don’t keep yourself busy. On the road you move around everyday but there is a certain static-ness that comes with being back home. Even if you keep yourself busy, returning home can be a little underwhelming sometimes.

Really, you’ll be surprised how few people show even the slightest bit of interest in the life-changing trip or stint abroad you’ve just returned from. If you’re the kind of person who loves to travel a lot, you might have trouble understanding this, because you’re probably the exception to the rule.

Sometimes, when I walk past the hallway closet, I swear I can hear my hiking boots whisper.

Your day-to-day falls back into a routine, lacking the discovery of yourself, new people, and new places.

After being gone so long you would not believe how much you have accepted the terms and customs of the cultures you have visited.

Accept that you are not the same. You see things with different eyes and people may not recognize this anymore. Understand that is okay.

Innovation

Love seeing innovative products that solve little problems. Wish I have this before my travels.

http://www.thescrubba.com/

Game On

I just signed up for my 3rd marathon a couple of days ago.

And had enough motivation to go for a run just now.

It's gonna be a tough 3 months getting back to fitness.

Politics

Wanted to post political comments on facebook some days, but I'm always mindful that it's never a place for meaningful debate, because there are always people who behave like they are in a high school debate team, holding an entrenched position and having a one-sided view of the issue. And at the end of every conversation, they can only mutter a number. 

6.9. 

Travel Blog

A little look at the statistics of my travel blog, probably helped some people along the way I hope.


Posts

Entry Pageviews Penang to Krabi May 10, 2012 1067 Annapurna Circuit Trek Nov 6, 2012 356 Krabi May 10, 2012 350 Korea Day 26-30 (Seoul) Oct 17, 2012 108 Korea Day 20-23 (Jeju) Oct 11, 2012 101

Pageviews by Countries

Entry	Pageviews
United States	3250
Malaysia	2340
Singapore	1197
United Kingdom	682
Thailand	640
Australia	335
South Korea	299
Indonesia	273
Philippines	179
Canada	106

Pageviews by Operating Systems

Pageviews by Browsers

Great ideas

Recently I came across this new initiative that started in the US, called Kickstarter  (http://www.kickstarter.com/). I'm not sure when they started this program, but basically it's a place where potential inventors look for investors. Not those rich investors with money, but people like you and me, to invest in their potential products. It's sort of like a pre-purchase, and normally there's a target they wanted to hit, and if they do hit it, they will start mass production and ship the products to the buyers/investors. 

It's an interesting concept, and I'm already eyeing 2 products that raised funds through this. 

See how cool this is! 

A breakthrough game console that's in the development,

I'm just excited at the ideas that's going to come out of this =) 

Looking at money

One of the good things that comes from not working is, I start to appreciate money more now. When we were working, we did not really look at how we spent because income was streaming in, because everything was affordable. But now that I have to watch my spending, every dollar feels more important. It sort of brought me back down to earth, after the exorbitant spending throughout the years.

What do you like?

I want to travel my whole life

Moving on

It took me some time to realise that people do move on, with a select few staying on in your life. Some social groups exist for the present context only, out of which they lose a purpose to exist. When you moved out of that phrase of life, the bonds that you thought were strong started to vanish, and the meetings became less and less regular. It's like getting together because there's something useful to get out of it. Sucks big time.

Will spend my efforts on people that matters.

Bored!!!

Need to find a job soon because I'm seriously bored at doing nothing at home!!!

I'm all ready to work, it's just the hassle of finding one..

Tekong Days

Watching Ah Boys To Men sure remind me of those BMT days in Tekong.. Fond memories of us being tekan by sergeants together, I wonder how those guys are doing now?

Life

Just came back from a 24D trip to Taiwan.

If there's a sight I remembered most from the trip, it gotta be this. At one of the night market in Taichung, I saw a man, picking up unfinished food thrown away by people from the rubbish bag. It bothers me that in an advanced country like Taiwan, there were still people left behind in the society.

Watched a lot of Taiwanese news channels during the trip too. Taiwanese news were different from ours, most of their reports were on domestic news instead of international news, and the content of their domestic news varied from reports on food.. bad practices of shops.. and in particular, accidents caught on videos. There were one which a father with his 2 daughters on a bike were hit by a van, the driver came out and pulled the little girl to the side before driving off. He was eventually caught after 2 days, but the damage was already done to the broken family. When I was in Nepal, I received the unfortunate news of the passing away of a former colleague in Montreal from a car accident. Such news just reminded you of the fragility of life, how easily it can be taken away.

I'm afraid of suddenly dying, if I have no chance to say goodbye. The sudden ending of life would be so devastating, especially when there's still plenty to be done in this world. Hopefully none of us would suffer this fate of seeing our life end abruptly or any of our close ones.

Thoughts

One last indulgence
One last hurrah
One last time
for this era
before I grow up
or forced to grow up