Christmas Take 2

Christmas this year was a lil different from the past. There was no customary annual Christmas dinner at DZ's place, because both Andrew and him prefer to spend Christmas in a foreign land. I kinda miss that, it was always fun.

I don't really celebrate Christmas, because I don't appreciate the true meaning behind it - for obvious religious reasons. But I do appreciate the joy and unity that it brings to so many people out there.

I know Andrew wrote about the depressing topic of commercialization during this festive period, but I don't agree with him. If this kind of commercialization can bring about so much joy to everyone, I really don't mind it at all. I mean....

How often do you see people coming together, buying gifts for everyone, and most importantly, risk being blinded with foam on Orchard Road by people you've never seen before in your life?

Okay but seriously, tis really is the season of joy.

For me, even though I dont understand the meaning of it, I enjoy the gatherings with friends and the festive vibes all around.

Another big part of Christmas, to me, is the giving of gifts.

My friend calls me a walking radish (because im the easiest customer) but I enjoy the act of gifting. Especially when my gifts warm hearts and carve out the widest of smiles.

So this season, and maybe because I'm in a luckier plight, I thought I would do more and try my best to be Santa.

I did my part for needy people around the world, and I hope that it would go a long way. =)

You should too, if you think you are in the position to help.

Next up, a reflection of the current year and what's to come ahead.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas

So it looks like it will be a lonely Christmas.

Maybe I should go to church or something,
OR to the airport and spend it with the rest of the world.

---

Anyway CH, on behalf of everyone, thanks for saving the world.

Amen. =)

Competitiveness

I like to be competitive.

I don't like the feeling of losing and playing second fiddle to others.

Like what a football personality once said,

"If you are second, you are nothing."

The streak of competitiveness in me started since young. I always wanted to be the top few in terms of grades, and even if I came in second in class, I would try harder to get the first position the next year.

Okay in local context, that means kiasu.

I looked forward to exams because that is the time I could fare well and get recognition. Well, that desire for good grades lasted till I was primary 4, before it kinda went downhill.

I didn't work that hard anymore, and suddenly my grades didn't seem to matter to me that much. Luckily, I still fared well enough to get into Anglican High School.

But during my secondary education, my grades were nothing short of disastrous. I was always one of the last few in class and whenever there were remedial classes for students who fared badly, I was an ever-present.

That competitive streak in me did not die though; it just did not apply to academic grades that much anymore.

You only have to look to the times I play soccer to know that I like winning (who doesn't?).

Everytime we play badly and we get thrashed, humiliated, I get very frustrated.

If we lose because the opposition is better, I would be the first to admit defeat. But if we lose simply because we are not playing well and we are not doing anything to arrest that, it really gets to me.

Sometimes I lose my cool and scold my teammates, but that is only because I want us to win. I believe that whatever happens on the court, stays on the court. No one should carry any emotional baggage or grudges off it, or get personal with anyone.

So if you have been a victim of my tirades, don't take offence. Nothing personal at all. =)

And because I am ever so eager to play well and win, I am guilty of demanding the same from everyone else. It's hard for others to match my enthusiasm because of varying personalities, and I know that.

But it is just very upsetting when our team is being played out like clowns and we are not even reacting in a positive manner. It becomes even worse when everyone starts blaming each other and eventually, the whole team just stops playing.

I believe in having fun while you're competitive; there is absolutely no fun if I find myself losing every game and sitting outside the court, waiting agonizingly for our turn to play.

It's easy if we could just play relaxingly and win, but sometimes we're just not good enough to do that. It's a team game, and we really have to conform to one another's styles.


*The above entry is written for everyone who plays soccer with me. I love you all. World peace!

Mommy, I Want My Kinder Surprise

No not this chocolate egg that contains some really awesome surprises...



... but something else that is of a lesser value.


Introducing my latest toy...
.
.
.
The Amazon Kindle!




If you do not already know, and I suspect you do unless you've been living in a cave for the past year, the Amazon Kindle is a digital reader that allows you to store thousands of books in it. I've been reading lots of rave reviews about it and I decided to reward myself a little this Christmas. =)

I've only just fiddled around with it a bit but it looks amazing so far. Now for the more difficult task - I'm hoping this gadget will give me an added impulse to do more reading, instead of buying tons of books and leaving them to collect dust!


And this is how my new home office looks like, smack right in the living room!

I'm bored...

Really, I'm bored.......

You might find it hard to fathom how could I possibly get bored, but I really am.

I need a new challenge. I need new ideas. I need sugar, spice and everything nice.


While I enjoy every bit of the freedom that my work gives me, it does get monotonous. I have no one I can talk to, no one to work with in person, and it can get extremely boring.

It's a terribly lonesome job, and that is my one major, and perhaps solitary gripe.

---

This is what it's like:

I work as and when I like, because there is really no need to define my working hours. I don't do work 24/7; I'm mostly online, but I surf and waste my fair bit of time too.

I got an office 3 months ago because I wanted to spur myself to work harder. Now I've terminated the lease because the air is extremely stale there when I work alone and because of that, I only go there once a week.

I am mostly busier at night because the Sun can only shine on one half of the Earth at one time and my target market is one half of the globe away. Read: USA.

I work into the wee hours everyday while almost everyone else is exchanging pointers on the chess board with Mr Zhou.

I have supper more than I have breakfast but I really do wish I can have the best of both worlds.

I have nasi lemak and hokkien mee at 4am and my friend says I'm too fat for M-sized shirts.

I'm glad I have friends who are willing to come out for supper at 4am and for substandard food.

My work is so hard to understand that when I go to a wedding dinner and get asked by Friend A what do I do now, Friend B says I do porn sites.

---

I needa do something about this.

What is life?

Life is...

A delectable sashimi feast at Sakuraya

Blueberry cheesecake and mocha after that...

All on a Thursday afternoon. :)

There was a time...

when people said that Singapore won't make it, but we did...~
There was a time, when troubles seemed too much for us to take, but we did...~

Okay this is not a tribute to our nation but I just felt like singing that song for a bit.

The title of this entry really is to talk about how it was all like not too long ago...

---

It's been around 15 months since I started venturing out into the unknown world of internet marketing, and 15 months later, I have not regretted that decision one bit.

During this time, I've had mini-spurts of success sporadically, and I would actually go as far as to say that if not for the gratification that I've obtained from these spurts, I might have given up already.

And when you are the only one who knows what you are doing and fighting the battle alone, sometimes it does get you down.

Call it luck, call it Fate, or call it perseverance, but it does seem that every time I get disillusioned with my lack of results, a break happens and I get rejuvenated once more.

Like what one of my working partners in the States tells me, "You're a warrior."
Maybe that's just his attempt to get me to continue spending money with them, but I'd like to think that is purely a compliment. =)

To be honest, I've failed a lot more times than I've succeeded, but I guess what keeps me going is because there is really no shame in trying and failing. I can fall down 1001 times, but as long as I get up and stand back on my feet for a 1002th time, I am in with every chance of making it a success.

So... what was there a time for?

There was a time...

...when I dreaded going to work everyday and I wished I would strike the lottery so I could buy out my one-hell-of-a-scam-contract.

...when I would think twice about what I could afford for meals, and ration for the occasional indulgence.

...when I felt I was letting my family down because they have been ever so supportive but I've done nothing worthy of note.

...when I would go to the airport at night to do work, get a cuppa, pay for few hours of parking, and leave feeling like shit because I just spent so much and didn't make a single cent.

...when I felt I was a liability for squandering the money that I've borrowed from my family and still not see any results in my work.

You might not be able to relate to those times, but I can assure you that it sure felt bad. I started out with a $10,000 loan from my family (my parents, and my 2 brothers). It didn't take too long before I managed to spend lose most of that.

I don't mind losing my own money, but to take money from others and to lose it away, that feeling simply sucks.

So this poor warrior plugged away, trying to keep himself afloat amidst all the negativity. By this time, his coffers were almost running dry. He had almost lost all his personal savings and was only left with half of what he had borrowed from his family.

But plug away he did. And when his break came, it came in the form of a tsunami. It brought a huge wave, and it sure was sweet while it lasted.

Till now, he's still plugging away. While things are a lot rosier compared to when he just started out, he is not resting on his laurels. He has a dream, and he intends to fulfil that dream.

*Goal 2010, here we come!


*Note: The author would like to deeply emphasize that Goal 2010 mentioned in this entry is not to be confused with Singapore's goal of qualifying for the World Cup in Year 2010.

Of Dreams and Goals

*Warning: Lofty Goals and Big Talk ahead

They say that when you dream, dream big.

Well, it makes perfect sense because since you're already dreaming, why waste your time carving out small and minute dreams?

Of course there is still the concern of dreaming within the boundaries of reality and fantasy, but I say throw caution to the wind and dare to dream big!

A few days ago, while walking back home from another supper, I saw a white BMW at the carpark of my block. At that moment, the thought of owning my own Beemer suddenly struck home.

Okay I'm not really a "car guy", because I know nuts about car parts. I don't have the hots for fast cars and I don't go crazy over car zhnging either.

But, a BMW is different.

Don't ask me why its different, its just different.

Seems that I have had the thought or dream of owning one since a long time ago, but had never really given serious thought to it before...

... Till now.

So I've decided to write down my goals and what I want to achieve for now:

1. Allow my parents to do what they want without worrying about supporting the family financially.
   
   
2. Ensure my income remains consistent (consistently high that is), and eventually financial freedom.
   
   
3. Own a BMW.
   
   
4. Diversify my sources of income via other means of investment (property, stocks).
   
   
5. Having my own cafe.
   
   
6. Giving back to the society.
   
   
7. Globetrotting
   
   

It's important to dream big, but it's even more important to know that dreams will just remain as what they are if you do nothing about it.

I think I'm pragmatic enough to know that goals will change as time passes, but these are the things that I've desired, be it in the past or the present.

Watch this space. =)

Cool Stuff

Because I was too bored at work, I googled for "motivational wallpaper generator", and this was what I came up with!

Jigsaw me

for the cat lovers

for the ones who skive (aka my wallpaper)

for the ones who are at crossroads

yup I did this up

for the chubby people in the world

Images are courtesy of InterfaceLIFT (awesome, i mean AWESOME images they have there)

Wallpaper, movie poster, and jigsaw effects are from BigHugeLabs. They have tons of other cool widgets there too, so have fun!

My secret life

There have been so many times that I had wanted to write about my innermost thoughts and feelings, but had to hold back because of whoever is reading my blog.

It kinda defeats the purpose of having a blog, but when its something that is so public and exposed, you tend to guard it and think about what you wanna write (or at least for me).

It has been long overdue, but I decided to open up my own private space today.

I actually do have a lot I wanna write about.

500 Days of Summer

I never knew photocopy rooms were that useful.

Looks like I need a job.

Anyway, great movie.

Not your typical love story.
Just a story about love.

For a review of the movie, try this.

Absence, what does it do?

So there are 2 schools of thought here,

1. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
2. Absence makes the heart die, aka Out of sight, out of mind

Well, when you're deeply in love, the first notion definitely applies to you. A pair of lovebirds going through the honeymoon period, well, even a guy and a girl during courtship, the slightest time apart can easily be extremely torturous for both parties.

You yearn to see him/her every minute, you can't bear to part with her when you've reached her doorstep, you think of her before you turn in every night, and she's the first thing that comes to your mind when you wake up in the morning.

Every moment apart is like pulling teeth, and every day without each other passes like a year. The scenario is probably best illustrated when the guy is called up for enforced slavery (read: NS) and has to be apart from each other for the first few weeks. If you could rush out with your rifle to meet your girlfriend, you would!

For better or for worse, that is when absence really makes the heart grow fonder. With the right amount of absence, it strengthens bonds and makes the ones in love, fall even deeper in love. Sweet stuff. =)

So when does the second thought come into play? This frustrating and thorny "absence" issue is an irritating paradox. When the absence becomes too prolonged, voluntary or not, it starts to take on another meaning. The lovely equilibrium tips and absence becomes a double-edged sword.

I write "voluntary or not", because absence could be used to serve different purposes. An involuntary absence would mean something like a long distance relationship, when 2 parties have to be separated by the cold and heartless waters, and yet try to keep their passion burning. Add on other variables like work, culture, fatal attraction, phone bills, internet connectivity, time difference, interest (or lack of it), absence could cause even the fondest of relationships to evolve into icy cold ones.

On the other hand, a voluntary absence could be a scenario whereby you want your other half to forget about you. In the words of the old adage, "Time heals all wounds..."

It could take a few weeks, months, or even years, but eventually all wounds would heal, albeit for some scars. I would like to think that absence is beneficial in this scenario, as its actually therapeutic, and helps one move on from broken relationships.

Broken relationships only hurt when you are still bleeding love. When the blood has run out, would it still hurt? (cheesiness fully intended)

Being out of sight, would then equate to being out of mind. (yes and no literally)

If absence still does not work for you, I suggest you seek some professional help.
Click here -> How to Get Your Ex Back

A third scenario whereby absence could play an important role? The Fad Crush Detector! The next time you think you like someone, stay away from that person for a while. Don't see her, don't text her, don't talk to her, don't even dream of her, and see what that does to you. If she fades away as quickly as she enters your life, it's probably another fad crush that you are oh-so-prone-to.

S0, what do you subscribe to?


* I apologize for the abrupt ending. I was typing this entry midway through till supper came calling. And naturally, my train of thought got knocked off the rails. Better luck next time!

Thought of the day

“Good relationships balance over time. This means that at any particular point in time, the relationship may appear quite unbalanced: One partner may be more nurturing; one may be more needy; one may be providing all the financial support, etc. But if both partners are loving, understanding, giving, dedicated and flexible, then the relationship can handle all kinds of ups and downs, and still be strong, exciting and, yes, romantic. The best relationships are well balanced.

Not a delicate balance; not a static balance- but a dynamic ever-changing balance.”

— Gregory Godek (via littlemiss)

I thought the last line was very well said.

We are often guilty of picking on others' traits that we cant live with, and we end up making ourselves more miserable. It is always easier if we could change our expectations, learn to adapt and live with our peeves, than to make things harder than they really are.

Frustration, and its ugly head

F***!

I'm gone for a jog breather.

Wake me up when September ends

Before you start wondering, no, this is not gonna become a photo blog. At least not when my e71 produces such crappy photos.

Some revelations and to detail what happened for this entire month:

• As of 091109, I have officially lived on Earth for 24 years, and counting. Thanks for all the well wishes! And special thanks to the ones who went the extra mile to shower me with presents - 2 belts, 1 watch, 2 Man Utd jerseys, 1 box of An-Pan bread, and a whole lot of thought from everyone who clearly loves me so dearly.
  
  
• I realised I don't have green fingers. I just tried to change the soil for my cactus and I kinda regret doing so. The stalks used to be standing pretty straight, but now they are all headed south. I hope this wouldn't be the second cactus that I would have killed!
  
  
• It's good to have 3 birthdays in the same month (Dad, elder bro, and me) because that means you get to have good food and with reason. And it's even better if the birthdays fall close together because that means a bigger treat is in store. Yum Cha for my birthday, and Tung Lok Signatures (Read: atas) for dad's and bro's. No, i'm not complaining! Haha
  
  
• Swimming is therapeutic. I haven't swam for some time and when I went back to the pool last week, it felt great.
  
  
• I love my job... because I only go to the office twice a week. (Maybe that explains why my cactus is dying)
  
  
• I have supper 8 times a week.
  
  

I will be back writing soon. I always miss blogging, but sometimes it just gets pushed back.. Until then, be good guys!

Salty Popcorn Pictures (Part III)

Salty Popcorn Pictures (Part II)

Too busy to write it out, so pictures will do for now. =)

Salty Popcorn Pictures