Of Photos and Fun

Some of the few selected photos out of the thousands that were taken during my Taiwan trip, and a few random others.

View the selection here.

Or if you're feeling adventurous and voyeuristic, view all my photos here.

Resolution 2010 and the Year (09) Gone By

Because it is almost mandatory for everyone to come up with a list of resolutions for this new year, I had to follow suit too. :)

I have segregated my resolutions this year into business and personal, and while its already the 2nd week of the new year, I reckon it’s still better late than never!


Business

1. Make $1 million in profits
2. Automate my business (make it auto-pilot)

• I don’t want to have to monitor my campaigns so closely. I would relish a more relaxed form of control.

3. Network with more people

• Attend one affiliate convention in the US
• Interact with more fellow affiliates, internet marketers

4. Start my own internet marketing company for businesses
5. Get my own office (or at least a decent workstation)


Personal

1. Get out there; Meet more/new people!
2. Go for at least 2 overseas vacations
3. Give back to the society, help the needy
4. Get lean, and fit!

• Swim once a week
• Jog once a week
• Go to the gym regularly

5. Get my BMW!

I had wanted to come up with my resolutions before the dawn of the new year, but procrastination once again got the better of me. So, the entire list was thought up while I was on the plane back from my Taiwan trip.

I’ve said before that my concentration comes in spurts, and I still believe it does. I got this sudden surge of brainpower and jolt to my brain cells while I was in the plane, and that was there and then that I came up with my resolutions. :)

What's yours?

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So I wanted to talk about 2009, the year gone by. I was looking through my blog entries for the past year and I decided to comments on a few memorable ones, as well as put it here to remind myself. (Lines in italics are excerpts of posts)

March 09 - http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/05/recession-proof.html
I still recall the day I signed on the dotted line.
The contract that bounded me to life as a miserable employee for 11 agonizing months.
And I really didn't have a choice back then. Breaking the bond meant I had to pay compensation of $10K - something which I well am not able to foot out.

So I stayed on.
The months passed,
the white hairs grew,
the acne popped out.
.
.
.

I've been thinking of business ideas, ventures, so much lately that I'm getting overwhelmed at times. I have a feeling that something will happen soon, and I'm trying to faciliate that opening.

Watch this space!


May 09 - http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/05/recession-proof.html
Not enough time is really a misnomer. We don't have time, we only waste time. We can never keep hold of time in our hands, we can only lose it every minute.

What I really wanna say is that when you say you don't have time for this or that, it just means you prefer to devote your time to other stuff you deem important.


http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/05/too-long-too-long.html
Well, as it turned out, the well of fortune dried up, and your ONLY cash cow was squeezed dry. I can't imagine you were that stupid to think it would last. If anyone deserves a slap, your big and chubby cheeks deserve it more! Then, you finally jolted yourself to getting some new campaigns done up.

Now, you're seeing some success again and I bet it feels like deja vu. Yes you earned that amount of money in a day, and I must congratulate you on a job well done. But, have you not realized this scenario looks all too familiar? Do you think this will last?


http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-like-to-blog-no.html
I don't care what you think or if you think I'm arrogant, I just want this to serve as motivation and remind myself that one will only get lucky if you work hard.

"Fortune rewards the brave.. and the hardworking ones"


June 09 - http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-think-you-cant.html
Sure, I get a lot of freedom and enjoyment being just me and me alone, but if you put things into perspective, the glass is only half full in this case.


http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/06/we-are-all-bums.html
Maybe we all flock together, but a couple of my friends and I are engaged in really diverse and unique professions. And because of that, it's easier to be misunderstood than anything else. We are all occupied with our own stuff, but sometimes it's just plain tiring to account to everyone.
.
.
.
Sometimes I wonder why I spend so much time trying to share with people what I do when it is apparent they are not interested at all. I waste my time, my breath, and to make things worse, I waste their time as well.

In the end, no one benefits from it and I get frustrated with myself for all this shit. If you want to learn what it is all about, I'm more than willing to share. But when I take the time out to share, the least I expect is some respect and courtesy.

Sorry, I just need to condition my enthusiasm a little. It's not your fault. The problem lies with me.


July 09 - http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/07/irony-at-its-best.html
One year ago, I wanted to get a degree because my job back then sucked big time and I felt I needed to upgrade myself to get a better job, and a better salary.

Now, I don't want to get a job because I don't want to be an employee and the reason for getting a degree is now somewhat diluted. What I can earn with what I'm doing is something that is not remotely possible if I were to be an employee. So what warrants my degree now? Self actualization? Yeah but I am probably not at that stage of my life yet.


http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/07/jekyll-hyde-and-me.html
I have been wanting to say this for the longest time, and I think I can finally say it now.

It's been a very long time coming - many hours sacrificed, many classes skipped, many trips to the airport, but finally I can say it with some pride...

I think I have succeeded.

=)

Now to keep it going!


Aug 09 - http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-fave-hangouts.html
We participated in a soccer competition last Sunday and surprise surprise, we actually got 2nd!

Never were we ever close to winning any silverware before, so to win something this time round was a huge huge surprise.

With a team name like "Huat Ah", it was pretty evident we were praying for divine help in the team's fortunes.


Oct 09 - http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/10/of-dreams-and-goals.html
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!


http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/11/im-bored.html
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.


Nov 09 - http://saltypopcorn-not.blogspot.com/2009/11/there-was-time.html
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.

---

Pretty interesting and thought-invoking when you read through your entries for the year and realize how things have changed.

Alright enough reflection now, time to get back to work!

Taiwan, Here I Come!

I'll be leaving for Taiwan today, and will be back in a week.

Until then, be good.

:)

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!