Education System

I tot i had the luxury to enjoy my off day. I was wrong. On my way to the gym, i received an unwelcoming call. I was recalled for work. Damnz. Initially, i planned to meet jun after gym, eventually it din materialised. Went back to office, wondering if my pay is well justified. I mean, u cant have low pay when u know u can be activated at anytime. haiz...

Back to the topic today, the education ministry has finally scrapped off the streaming examination for our primary 4 kids. I am happy cos i know my kids will not have to go thru the same fate like what we went thru previously. Actually, i dun really like the way our education system works. So this time, its a thumbs up for the PAP government.

Well, i din go thru the EM1, EM2 and EM3 system. Instead, I went thru the older system, where primary 3 students were streamed into normal, extended and monolingual course. I guess pple in my generation will know wat that means. Those days, we have Primary 7 and Primary 8. Ha... Tat was funny.

However, streaming at such a young age is unhealthy. Academic results became the motive of learning. AND I DUN LIKE IT. Intelligent students will be placed together, students who are not bright will be grouped together. It has a polorization effect that hinder the development of our kids.

Learning should be made fun and not on results. I seriously feel that the ministry should also do away the concept of SAP schools. I hate it when it is always abt RI, RGS, Hwa Chong, Nanyang Girls or ACS. What about Bukit Merah Sec, First Toa Payoh Sec, Clementi Town Sec? I mean they are neighbourhood school, so?

Cos better students are placed into good schools while lousy students are put into bad schools? What kind of society is this? It becomes a vicious cycle. The neighbourhood schools will forever be at the bottom. Schools should have a good mixture of good and lousy students. Top students should not be placed together.

And its becos of all these, the society is becoming so unequal. The good ones become better, The rich ones become richer. The poor becomes poorer, the bad ones become lousier. I guess this is the world and we have to live with it.

Army Life

Its midweek! And I will be having a 2 days off from today. This is so cool! ha... I think its time for a little break from work. Tired from all those running and thinking. When i reached home every night, my mind is completely blank. I will sit in front of the tv and watch TVB serial.

After which, I would have a can of coke (if there is), turned on the computer, blast some nice music and chill out. ha... Like now, i am tuning to some mambo songs. Cos it mambo nite at zouk! whahaha! Since i am not there, these songs can soothe my ears for a while.

Anyway, i was browsing thru other bloggers entry when i read abt a guy who writes abt his army life. Well, i have never talked abt my army life before. Since it's been like 7 years since i was enlisted, i dun feel like talking abt it. whahaha.... 7 years? Yep, that is long. But i ORD last year. Long story!

Actually, army life was a miracle to me. I am not like many who stayed in camps, donned on uniform, worked with regulars. When pple asked me abt my vocation, i din know how to tell them. I found out that my vocation was known as artise. hahaha... BUT i am not an artise, neither am i from MDC. So, its funny lor.

Strangers must be wondering wat the hell is this guy in. I wont reveal. I will only say i am fortunate enough to get into such an organisation. If luck like this continue, i should be able to find my greener pasture soon. haiz.... Ok, back to the story, i find that many pple are so keen to move to OCS. OMG! It has never cross my mind in my whole damn life. Not even a 3SG. hahaha....

think I did pretty well for the first 6 weeks for my sergeant to say that I most probably will be going OCS. Of course, reality struck and I didn't go OCS. Not only that I didn't go OCS, I found out that the 6 weeks thing was a lousy scam.

Pls lar, i cant understand why pple are so insistent abt being an officer. Well, if you are a regular, i can understand. If not, for the prestige? I am not too sure. I have female cousins who said, even an officer cant handle real situation when they are out of army. I am like... dun know how to reply. hahaha...

I guess army is the time when boys become mature, though i know it doesnt apply to some. It trains you physically and mentally. Army put all races together and wants everyone to work in a team to build the commandarie spirit. Enough said, i am going to bed soon...

Singapore Idol II

Yipee. Hady Mirza has been crowned the second Singapore Idol. I was overjoyed when they announced the results. Many pple bet on Jonathan but i still chose Hady. For a simple reason, he brought me many fond memories of Devils Bar. I miss the days when i used to party there with Hady performing on stage.

He sang many songs, from Dancing Queen to Ketchup song to The Reason. I can never forget his voice. There was once when he even jumped onto the bar top and dance. Those were the craziest day. He knows how to connect with the crowd, that's probably why he deserves to win.

According to pple who followed the show, many said Jonathan was better. Well, he probably lack the connecting factor. After all, he is a student, his performing experience probably cant be on par with Hady.

I remember before Dbl O days, I always head down to Devil's Bar. Hady is the lead singer on Saturday. He joked with his co-singers, band members and even the crowd. That's where he picked up the skills to relate to pple. Though i dun know him personally, when he won, i was very touched. His effort paid off.

I would say Hady's song cheer me up at Devils. I am glad he made it. I sounded as if he was a close friend of mine. haha.. In fact, i dun know him, except the male singer who always party with us at Devils. Let's give him our utmost support. Will he be the erm... the next Taufik? I shall not speculate. hahaha....

It's Party Time

I have been thinking a lot lately. Not sure if i have reached a bottleneck at work. I feel like moving on but it seems so tough and unrealistic. When i met up an ex-colleague, erm.. colleague-to-be again, i realise my passion has fallen significantly. Is there something wrong with me or am I too sensitive?

The clubbing session at Dbl O was good. For once, i forget everything and party away in the dim lightings of Dbl O. Met a few person as usual. Hee... Gavin's navy friend was there. Then met Joelle, who is like so different today. Chat a little and she blame me for not dancing with them. On the entrance, i was surprised to see Jacq. Interesting!

Most regulars were not there. Only Jaden and bro were present. Funny siblings. Then met their friend, who just got into NS. Naughty me touched his botak hair and made fun of him. Ha... He was ok lar, cos we clubbed a few times but din tok to him much. So have to "Ka Jiao" him. whahaha....

Anyway, it was nice of Rasheed to compliment on my dancing moves. Whahaha... He said i was good!!! Hee, from the mouth of a "retro king", its different. This guy won the retro king title at a competition some years ago. I am like so happy lor. I have actually incorporated many movements into my dancesteps. A fusion of techno, retro and body jam. More importantly, when you dance, it must be in tandem with the music rhythem. It will make you look nice.

After the dance, i feel rejuvenated. Its like a treatment, sweat it out, muscles fully relaxed. Once the ban on smoking kicks in next year, the place will be even different. At least, i need not be a passive smoker. hee hee... It's time to head to bed. Nitez!

Unexpected Thai Coup

I was shocked when a military coup took place in Thailand. Uncertainty, unstability resurfaced. It is of much regret that such an event happen. Thailand has enjoyed stability over the last few years after the financial crisis. Due to alleged corruption charges, PM Thaksin was ousted.

I cant imagine roads in Bkk flooded with military personnel. According to Ed, the military took over all the television network yesterday. Nothing was played on tv except showing footages of Thai King. All cable network has been shut off, Ed said he could still see CNA but all being muted. That was indeed shocking.

As a frequent traveller to Thai, i hope everything will resume quickly. Although it is a bloodless coup, pple are still worried tat there may be an outbreak of violence. Many countries including UN have condemned the army for stripping away democracy. The impact is almost immediate when the Thai Baht fell sharply for the first time in 3 years.

On a lighter note, the big event of the year is over!!! Feel so relieve after the whole thing ended. I guess it is time to call for a celebration this coming wkend at Dbl O. Ha... Its time to party and destress. Yeah!

Dating Young

Din really want to blog tonite till i read this blogger entry. A 24 year old guy falling in love with a 17 year old gal. Almost fainted when i finished reading the their love story. To cut the story short, they broke up, as expected and in tandem with my belief. whahahah....

17 year old gal? To be serious, even if i am 24, though i am only 25 (ya rite), i wouldnt want to date a young girl lor. For a simple reason, beliefs are different, the way we think are not in unison. This girl is still doing her "O" levels. She is in a normal stream. To think she is so powerful enough to date an older guy.

I am sorry, i just feel disgusted. haha... Imagine me dating my tuition kid. FAINT!!! Though my kid is a boy, even if she is a girl, i wont want to date lor. It's like dating a sister. And this naive guy wants the girl to live with him, stay with him forever. My foot ah. What happen eventually?

Although i din know wat happen to the two of them, the sight of them probably sent shiver to my spine. ha... When two person who come from different worlds meet, wat kind of chemistry can it happen? Aiyoh, the guy needs to take care of the girl like his sister, make sure she studies her O level. The girl wants to find out more abt the guy's life, but couldnt understand cos she is only 17.

The world is really changing. Some want to look for new job, no luck. Some sit and hanky panky with same sex, vast opportunities. Some exhaust all their power to look for their bf/gf, others stay relax, bf/gf came knocking on their door. I really cant understand. Can anyone explain? Shall enjoy another day of rest before heading back to office.

Many First

There are many first time in life, the first time u took your exam, the first time u stayed away from home... blah blah blah.. I had many first time this weekend. Ha... First, it was my first time to see Suntec City so quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Yes, thanks to the Board of Governors from IMF/WB.

Cashiers in Carrefour were seen chatting, staring blankly into the air. In most Sunday, we get to see huge crowds, with parents, young kids, old man etc. It was unusually quiet. I tot Carrefour could just shut its door for the day. hahha... There were not many shoppers too. The mall is just so serene.

Second, it was my first time in 2 years tat i spent my saturday nite at home. whahahaha... Powerful leh... It has been like a habit to go clubbing almost every saturday unless i am away for holiday. In fact, there were 2 occasions i din go clubbing cos i was away in Hong Kong and US. I broke a personal record!!!

So wat did i do on a saturday nite, instead of partying? Came home, had supper then headed to bed straight! hahaha... Boring bo? Well, i was tired from work. It was kind of a new experience for me. Returning to life before clubbing. whahaha... Cool lor.

Then, i was out with jun earlier at TM. Unexpectedly, both of us saw a blackout at the mall for the first time. I think it is time to buy 4D. ha... NTUC was in pitch black, Seoul Garden also plunged into darkness with Courts and other stores joining in. I was amazed by what happen. There must be some short circuit that result in a power failure. Well, that's for the authorities to investigate.

Anyway, i will be off tomolo and tues. whoo hooo... Thank god! I can finally have some good rest and do something i like. yeah... How abt "greener pasture" looking for me? hur hur... How i wish...

Chill out @ Attica

Chill out at Attica this evening with Ken. Pretty cool place with nice interior decoration. Sat by the bar and had drinks. It's just so relaxing. I told ken we have really moved up, from cafes to clubs. By the way, Attica has a backyard that resemble Bali Villa.

The only difference is the bulk of foreigners in the club. I tell you, you wont even feel that u are in Singapore. We are the minorities. You will be surprised to see so many "ang moh" at one time. Bear in mind this is not US or UK. Anyway, there is a good mixture of youngsters and seniors.

Generally, the crowd are much older. Most ladies are in their 30s. There are less local guys. That probably explains why the place is a conducive place for sarong party girls. Yep. You get to see many singaporean girls who are on the prowl for expatriate bf. whahaha....

It's an eye opener again. After going to so many places, Dbl O is still the best. No other clubs or pubs can beat them. The ambience is better, pple speak good english, not the "hokkien" type. We left early cos i need to work again. Still need to preserve some energy for tomolo session. whahaha....

Networking Night

Just got back from networking night. Gosh. It was damn pretendious. Everyone was behaving so fakely that i feel like fainting. ha. However, there were free flow of wines, beer and food. How could i miss all the freebies? Organisers prepared lots of local delicacies in view of many expatriates.

Only the carrot cake was nice, the rest were like... dun wish to mention. The performance were meant for foreigners, i think many locals will be turned off by all that "Asian flavours" kind of performance. I got myself some white and red wine, felt a bit high after drinking 3 glasses.

Some colleagues were there too. We even took photographs. Reminded me of days when i was in SR. If it was my SR colleagues, i guess the event will be even fun. The event was at MOS. This is my second time, realise the main platform became smaller. I went up to studio 54. Same setting, music was still the same.

It was hip hop nite. Damz. I dun like that and left for home early. Crowds began to usher in after the event. If it was wed, i would have joined the candy floss party. Before i left, i was alone chilling out some red wine. That's wat i call "ren shen yi da xiang shou" (loosely translated: enjoyment in life)

Life is really not abt work. I think if there are more events like this, i guess i would have stayed a few more years. I like to chill out after work, meeting up friends or even colleagues over drinks. Not the sterotype, work-home-work. Boring rite? Sometimes, work is even getting on my nerve.

It's my off day. Feeling very good today. Will be going to the gym later. Been taking lots of unhealthy stuff. Need to work it out. Ken asked me out for a drink too. It's another once in a while kind of drinking. I seldom drink. Since he had initated, i will go. Anyway, although i club regularly at dbl o, I seldom drink. Simple reason, need to go to the toilet many times and i will miss my favourite songs. whahahaha....

Left Early for Home

I cant believe it!!! Its the first time i left early for home after work. whaha.... This comes after 21 months or 630 days into the job. So unbelieveable. Well, most pple get to leave early when their job first started, not me for sure. Damnz. I was so excited when i left the office cos it is still very bright.

Been doing lots of research lately. Read 2 reports last 2 days and my head is spinning. My business qualification has been put to good use, i feel like going back to schools doing my fyp research. whahahaha... In the past, it was meant for tutor, today its meant for many pple. Cos paid mah... hahaha

If you ask me if i am bored with the report, seriously i think it is ok. It gave me insights of wat many academics do. It also tests my ability to digest hardcore information. My mind has been working very hard to analyse many data. Maybe it is true that i should return to banking sector.

There will be some party at MOS tomolo. If time permits, i may make a visit there. Ha... my second time. I guess its really time to unwind a bit after a hectic week!!!

Being Happy?

Well, this is a continuation from Lilian's blog. Seriously, i have not been too happy lately cos of the many screw up i had. In fact, vague and conflicting instructions cause unhappiness and substandard work. I dun really understand why some pple cant even give simple instructions.

Then the issue of money. I bring food to work everyday. There's nothing wrong with tat until one day, when i was in Orchard, i saw this auntie (who happen to be the cleaner) sitting alone in the food court munching away her food. She also brought her own food. She had an egg and some toufu. When i look at her, i feel that we were in the same boat.

Things are expensive and we are underpaid. Although i wont say i am broke, the harsh reality is telling me, for money, please work extra hard. I once told my mum, with the amount of money i have today, i can support myself. If there is ever one day i need to start a family, i need tons of cash. On top of tat, the responsibility of taking care of our parents if they cant manage by themselves one day is there. By then money is a NEED.

If none of these scenario are going to materialize, it will be a different story. Now, I still have the support of my parents, that is why i can travel overseas, enjoy myself after office hours. Heard from news today that transport operators are having a fare hike again. If everything keeps increasing with minimal pay adjustment, we will have difficulty surviving.

I hate it when the rich becomes even richer, the poor becomes poorer. Income gaps is forever widening. Will there be an end? How to be happy when we encounter work stress or "money not enough" stress?

Busy Week

Going bonkers anytime now. Too busy with the upcoming event of the year. Was in office doing research this afternoon. Spent almost a day to digest a 140 page report. I feel like doing my FYP project again, except being paid this time. Really put my analytical skills on test. I am not the academic type, reading a wordy reports puts me off.

Went to City hall this morning before work. It was my first time going into city hall, i mean the place where we declare independence, not city hall mrt station. hahaha... Anyway, the area round the building has been cordoned off with tight security. The fences erected will protect the building from "danger". However, it looks pretty unpleasant from outside. I guess tourists cant take nice pictures.

Over the weekend, went out with jun to scout tour packages for her upcoming France trip. I was in full of envy, yup as usual. The itenery was cool, 8 days in France. Too bad i am tied up with tuition and the recent US trip, if not, i would go with her lor. I miss Paris, I miss London!!!

Later at night, i was at my usual hangout, dbl o. Not many regulars turn up this time. Many strange and funny pple appeared instead. hahaha... It was kind of bored without the regulars. Music started early, stayed thru the nite. Been a long time since i stayed till closing time. Cos I have tuition the next morning, so i cant stay too late.

Its going to be an extremely hectic week. Will be bracing up for tight deadlines and stuff. Wish me best of luck!!!

Weekday Movie

Was out with Ken this evening. It was like once in a blue moon kind of wkday outing. Cos both of us work and dun get to meet during wkdays. Even on a wkend, it's just clubbing, that 3 hours at dbl o. Afterall, when u club, u seldom talk cos its too noisy. He is on leave and tat explains why he has the luxury.

Though its my off day, i gave tuition in the morning. Then headed to PF before meeting Ken. Did some cardio today after i recovered from some infection on my leg. Feel fresh. Met ken after tat for a movie. Donkey years since we catch a movie together. During our army days, we were like big movie fans, watched all kinds of movie almost every weekend. That includes midnight preview as well. Ha...

From movies, we moved on to clubbing. Haiz. That's probably a change. So far we are still enjoying it. I wonder what's next after clubbing. Anyway, after the movie, we shopped and gossip again. That's wat we always do. Critising this and that. whahaha...

We watched "Snake on the Plane". Alright, quite a lame movie if you compare to "Click". Entirely plotless except for a few action packed scene. From the name of the movie, you would have already know the story. Lame rite? Well, at least it isnt those artistic movie that sets you thinking after the show.

Life has been very stress. I want to watch something that is easily digestible. Ha.. Simple minded. It's midweek finally. Ken asked if i wanna go zouk tom. I agreed. Its another once in a while event. whahaha... I seriously think wed zouk is meant for kids. oops... I should rephrase. Zouk is meant for the young. (read between the line) "the young" whahaha.... Got it?

BGR Thingy

I din want to blog till i fumbled upon a blogger's entry. I guess she is having some kind of stress with her relationship. She claims such scenario happened to her.


Scenario 1:
He tells u he is going to meet his friends late at night. you are not sure where they are going and sometimes he tells you its man's night (what a F%^king MCP reason). Do you:

1. Make a big fuss and quarrel about it cos its so late at night and you dunno where they are going? In the end, he stills goes out.. there is no win win situation here.

Or

2. Let him go and trust that wherever he say he was is true. In this way you feel better trusting him and he is more willing to tell you where he is.

Scenario 2:
Someone told you:" hey you never meet them?" It prob gave you a feeling that he went out with his friends without telling you. Do you:

1. Call him and F%&k him for cheating on you, demand for a reason y he went out without telling you and think he is such a BASTARD! What if he did not go out with his friends, who is gonna be responsible for souring the r/s?

Or

2. Think there is no need to ask. If he really did go out with his friends, he would have told me becos its not a big deal, and there is no need to cheat. I will trust him and wait for him to say something. You will realised that your trust is worth while when you know the truth is he did not go out, or such things did not happen.

Scenario 3:
You cannot find your bf.. he usually calls you after work but this time he didn't. You panicked and started calling him.. once, twice, no ones picks up.. you gave the worst scenario.. he is sleeping.. you called his place and his mom says" he's not in" Where did he go? you panicked.. Do you:

1. SMS him and F*&k him for not picking up your call." I dunno where the F&*k u are right now, with some girls or wat? for the first time you din call me after work and bloody hell you dun have to call me anymore!"

Or

2. No matter how fed up, choose to wait for explainations. As much as your heart is boiling,do not pick up calls and engage in a quarrel.. choose to calm oneself down and think of y you are angry over this. And whatever explanations he gave, even it sounds like a 3 yr old kid's excuse, choose to believe.. because ultimately what we want is a reason isn't it. Once we have it, y not trust them and don't try to dig other things out.. this will only make man more inferior of telling you the truth next time.

hmm... I am not sure what she thinks. From some of her entries, i can see she is in a state of dilemma and frustration. Well, in any cases, it boils down to trust and respect, though she mentioned it too. I guess for a relationship to work, its impt to be a responsible partner, not only being truthful but also appreciative.

Living Life to the Fullest

Tiring day from work! As usual, I always live like a superman on Sunday. Rushing from tuition to work than back home. Maybe Lilian is right, we should not be money's slave. It should be the other way round, money should be made our slave. Indeed, Living life to the fullest is something that everyone should preach.

Yes, i am preaching now. whahaha... Initially, i was still indulging in some self sympathy mood. Come to think of it, it leads to no where. So, i have decided to forget everything and continue to enjoy my wkend. It was not too bad.

Wanted to go for a movie with Ken on sat, but back out cos my dear friend need to submit his forms to office. Instead, we went shopping ard, gossiping stuff again. It ended with an enjoyable nite at Dbl O.

Party with David this time. whahaha.... This guy was damn "chio" lor, put on his adidas jacket and parading ard. We chat a little and dance for fun. Our common friend, Jas was there too. The naughty me played a joke on her. whahaha... Never know she was so fun, really different the time when she was my classmate in MJR.

One of her friends got so drunk and threw up everything. Mess! Her dress was soiled, dirty. She could not even walk, have to rely on her sisters to carry her. God. Imagine at this age, you cant even control your alcohol intake? I felt a bit erm... Alright, maybe its some occasion to celebrate. Dunno.

Back to dance floor, another regular led everyone in the podium to the mambo dance. Gosh! Even the Dj was calling him master. His popularity has indeed attracted the attention of many girls. Well, he was approached and i became his unappointed agent. Funny. He tried to act shy... I almost laughed my head off.

When everyone left, i was still on the podium with Ken. Eventually, he took a rest while i continue to party. Jason came along and joined me. He is another joker who never fail to make me laugh. Although most of these regulars are hi-bye friends, they are pretty sincere. Once in a week, i will forget everything and indulge in a world of music and fun.

Jewel Box

Trip to Jewel Box was so cool lor!!! Yep, never been to Jewel Box before and my virgin trip was so unforgettable. In case you were wondering wat is Jewel Box, well, its this restaurant cum bistro at the top of Mt Faber. Though the scenery cant even match the views we get from our "friendly neighbours", it is definitely a fantastic place to chill out...

I spent one late afternoon with jun at Jewel Box, just her and me, for our special occasion. Yup, our post anniversary celebration. It was kinda of nice to relax, get away from busy traffic. The place is simply serene, fresh and windy. The view of Sentosa is just right before our eyes.

Despite a few tourists walking ard, i still find the place pretty good. I was telling jun Mt Faber is a good place to solemnize wedding vows. I am sure the couple will be blessed. The environment is extremely suitable. When i told my mum abt it, she was so excited! She tot i was going to get married. whahaha....

Oh, how did we get to the top of Mt Faber? Yep, by cable car. That's the second time i took a cable car. It was jun's maiden ride. We joked, laughed and took photos during the ride. We were fortunate enough not to share the cable car with tourists!!! heee.....

Then it was time for good food. Went Bugis for dinner, in view of having apple strudent for dessert. Gosh! I was too full with the dinner. Moreover, the coffee ice cream somehow upset my appetite. Decide to give it amiss.

I would say the day was very well spent. I feel so fortunate. Actually, my heart was smiling the whole day. It was like a gift from god. I told jun we are kind pple, so heaven granted our wish by not raining. whahahah.... If not, our plan up the hill, cable car ride will be gone.

I really love Friday! Of course, with the company of my dearie... hee...