HAPPY NATIONAL DAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!!!
HAPPY 40th YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE!!!

MAJULAH SINGAPURA

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura

Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

ONWARD SINGAPORE
(English Translation)

Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success

Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore

Our Pledge

We, the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society
based on justice and equality
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

My INTAKE SESSION (APPOINTMENT DAY)

Date: 12th July 2005, Tuesday
Time: 9.00am
Venue: Training Command (Tracom)
Thomson Road
Blk 26 Level 2
Lecture Theatre
Attire: Male [shirt and long pants]
Female [blouse and skirt or long pants]

It's been years since I last wore a national uniform, trained and be disciplined during my days at NCC. Finally, the day has come! 6 months of residential training before I get a taste of being an on-the-field full fledge police officer. And so, my career starts from this day on. I look forward to my future!

SQUAD! SEDIA! Dari kiri~ cepat ja~lan!

Worked at Bossini for barely 1 month and it felt like I've been there for a long time. The staffs at Toa Payoh Bossini are really a great family. However, all good things has a start that comes with an end. Hate it to be so soon. Especially not when I feel like I'm goin' to be soaring like a regular with this sales team.

I remembered when I first started on June 10th. I'd barely worked for a couple of days and they had shown me trust, confidence and understanding. The in-charges taught me so many things on day 1 and very quickly, I was entrusted to things which most newcomers would only be entrusted after working for weeks. I'm proud of myself to say the least. Being praised for good attitude and quick learning ability by all of them. Jennifer, the assistant in-charge, is definitely the one who helped me progress this quickly. Learning everything (except for altering the pants) the trade needs me to be in just a matter of 2 weeks. Friends of mine (Kenny & Choon Kiat) who introduced me this job 2-3 weeks after they started, only get to learn how to be a cashier after working at their respective outlets for 4 weeks. As for me, I gotta learn how to on the 8th day at Bossini!

Things were awesome over at this Toa Payoh branch. The trust they put in me gives me belief. Starting on the 12th day, I started to become independent. Working and put in sole charge of the Men's side. Still a little confused and unsure with the cashiering machine, but I learnt from independence and experience. Of course I had my blunders but I was surprised that Jennifer wasn't mad at me at all but stood up for me when trouble came knocking. And so, my every 1st mistake became my very last. Except for 1 which seems to haunt me over and over again. I'm always almost late! In fact, I was late for almost 5-6 times during my 20 working days (excluding sundays) stinct! Old habits are just hard to kick.

One of the worst fears which sales assistant has is bad customers. Despite some rude customers with a bad attitude that can really spoil your day, there are those who will make it right back on track again. The appreciative and grateful customers who come back thanking your service assured me a job well done. Not to mention some compliments that come back to back sometimes. Everyday is a good day working with these friendly guys here. Sometimes, I just don't wanna knock off early. Especially when I've to multi-task servicing, cashiering, looking out for shoplifters and looking after a crowded jam packed shop, alone! Don't forget, I'm just a new bird in this biz. Adrenaline pumping it is. But it is so so fun despite the pressure! Ability to make so much sales and hitting the sales target alone by myself is great pleasure! Too bad these sales doesn't enter my pocket. Haha...

Just like I said initially, every beginning has an end. My Bossini work ended on July 2nd. It's a departure which I'm unwilling to make this soon. It makes it all so much tougher when the staffs told me not to leave them. Told me how they'll miss me every hour on my final working day. Told me how much they hoped I will be working with them for a much longer period. And drama there is when joked about they need to use the BSN Sports Towel to dry their tears. But still, they wish me all the best and asked me to visit them whenever I can. Well, I'm sure I will be returning there very soon since i left my water bottle over there. I've gotta collect it back! Hahahaha...

The Police Force finally sent me my final recruitment letter, where I'll be signing my bond this thursday on July 7th. Bittersweet it is. Finally my longly awaited chance to give it a shot in the police force arrived, but at the expense of a good worklife here at Bossini Toa Payoh. Kinda contradicting it may sound to me sometimes. How I wish to stop work at Bossini sometime ago because things starts to seem alittle too repetitive. But then again... Oh well...

And so, it's time to have a change in mindset and my life once more. A new objective in life and a challenging career. Time to uphold the Law instead of bring up the sales. But both meant the same. Service to the people.

Just so recently after Felicia's and Shumei's birthdays on the 6th and 7th of June respectively (Happy 20th Birthday!), enter another National Slave - Peter Seah. On the 9th, Peter turned green. Haha... Hope you're doin' well in there.

As it was on the 7th, Dennis, Kaixiong, Haojie, Haojie's girlfriend and I went to Toa Payoh to apply for a job at Bossini. Then Den, Loy and I went on to Popular where Den and Loy applied for a job at the bookstore.

Sales assistant: Please wait for awhile while I hand your application forms over to the manager.
(Minutes later)
Sales assistant: I'm sorry.
(At this very moment, you can see the disappointment in the eyes of both Dennis and Kaixiong.)

Sales assistant: My manager said that you both are over qualified. Therefore, she is handing your application forms over to the HR. The problem is this position is only for those 'O' or 'N' level or ITE students. Your qualifications are suitable for the position of Supervisor. That's why our manager said she'll send it to the HR.

Hahaha... Immediately, Kaixiong and Dennis burst into laughter as they left the shop. And so we went on to Plaza Singapura to apply for jobs at Flash n' Splash and P.O.A. Kaixiong also tried his luck at Action City.

Thursday, another tryout for a post at Starhub as a promoter/customer service person. The job pays attractively but they only want to sign us for a month. Not much prospect, I thought. But lucky me, Bossini called me up on that very afternoon for an interview. Haojie too. After the interview, I hit JACKPOT! I've got da job! As for Haojie, he was put on hold.

So... Sorry bros! Good luck to you guys! Hope you guys can land yourself a job asap.

As for me... I started work on Friday. So I guess I'll update this blog after 3 working days. Haha...

Recruit G.F. Huang! Fall in! 5..4..3..2..1...!

Haha... Guofeng! All the best to you during your National Service! 3rd June was your first day in. On 17 June we shall look forward, the day when you can book out. Ha! Take care, recruit!

Oh ya! That also means Peter, you've better start preparing! 9th June, surely not the date you're counting down to. Haha...

On the 2nd of June, I had a pleasant surprise! SMS tones kept ringing, all asking me the same question. "Were you the one who wrote it?"

I didn't know what they were referring to until I read the papers. At the back of The New Paper, was a big picture. A blackboard chalked 'L' 'F' 'C' '5' at the background with a LiverBird at the foreground. I thought," This looks familiar." So I read the article beneathe the picture. "GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME!",I thought. My email has been printed on the local news! A story made outta my email was spreaded around the whole island! COOL!

Here's what was on print:

LFC 5 What's in that number for Liverpool? By Wang Meng Meng June 02, 2005

THE Champions League victory for Liverpool was brought to you by the letters 'L', 'F', 'C' and the number '5'.

No, this is not a phrase taken from Sesame Street.
But if the omens are to be believed, Liverpool's triumph in Europe last week had very much to do with the mystical powers of the number '5'.

Chii Huan Cho, a Liverpool fan, alerted The New Paper of the startling recurrence of this magic number in the build-up to the penalty shoot-out defeat of AC Milan in Istanbul.
He wrote: 'It was the 50th European Cup final.
'Liverpool were fighting for their fifth European Cup.
'Leading the attack for Liverpool was Milan Baros, who was wearing jersey number 5.
'The Red Army reminding the world of the famous five words - You Will Never Walk Alone.
'With the scores level at 3-3, the final went into a shoot-out. Five penalties were scored and the game ended 3-2 in Liverpool's favour.'

Chii continued: 'Look at the signs! How many times did you see the number 5 appear? The recurrence of the number was the most significant sign pointing to a Reds' victory.
'It was not just the omens talking about the emergence of a new Pope or a Welsh rugby win. Nor is it Prince Charles' marriages or that Dr Who television show in Britain.'
For those who are still sceptical about the 'signs', Chii had this to say.
He insisted: 'Still unconvinced? MediaCorp showed it 'live' to all who watched the match on none other than Channel 5. And what about those who tuned in to ESPN on Channel 23? Just add two and three and you get...five!

'Arsenal won the FA Cup this season. Chelsea bagged the English Premier League and the League Cup. Liverpool got to keep their fifth European Cup.
'And in which position did the Reds finish in the Premiership? Fifth!'
'It's a sign of good things to come. See that number 5 again? It's all destined.
It's all fated.'

Here's what I emailed:

25/05/2005, Istanbul.
It's the 50th European Cup final.
Liverpool FC's fighting for their 5TH European Cup to keep it at where it should belong - Anfield.Leading the attack for Liverpool was Milan Baros, who was wearing jersey number 5. The Red Tide reminding all of the famous 5 words - You Will Never Walk Alone.3-0 down at half time. Within the 50th - 59th minute period, it's levelled at 3-3. Into the penalties where 5 goals were scored from a decisive penalty shoot-out, ending the game 3-2 in Liverpool's favour.Look at the signs! How many times did you see the number 5 appear? There are more than just the stars pointing to a Liverpool victory. More than just the signs about the rise of a new Pope nor a Wales win. Nor is it just marriage in a drama show nor of the Prince. Its written all over before and during the match. Mambo number 5 was telling you that it's Liverpool's season to win it this year.Still unconvinced? Well, Mediacorp showed it 'live' to all who watched the match on none other than Channel 5. ESPN ch23? 2+3=5. Go figure!

Arsenal holds the FA cup this season. Chelsea with the English Premier League and the League Cup. Liverpool gets to keep their 5th European Cup. Manchester United? Nothing.
Manchester United fans for all your bragging, teasing and air of arrogance, like of Sir Alex, which we Liverpool fans have to endure and suffer, it's time you really shut up for good. Still trying to console yourself by saying Liverpool is 5th in the EPL this season finishing below Man U (3rd) and Everton (4th)? Well, it's a sign of good things to come. See that number 5 again? Just a price Liverpool have to pay to Destiny. To Fate.

Like Booker T loves to say,"5-time! 5-time WCW champion! Now, CAN YOU DIG IT?!" Well, for what I prefer to say,"5-time! 5-time European Cup Champion! Now, CAN (MAN) U DIG IT?!"

Here's the best banner in Istanbul:
No small toffees for feast tonight
Kopites party with Turkish delight
Jose, Sir Alex... London press All choking on sweet success
Money, not love, is your drive
But tell us... Can you count to five?

After comparing both articles, I thought it's time to brush up my English. Haha...

S.W.A.T.

FEVER IS BACK!!!

Coming soon... SPRING 2005

I'd made it to the favourites in Creed's CREED MEMORIES - Online Creed Scrapbook at this site
http://www.creed.com/creedmemories/default.asp?page=8&cat=2
And what made it better is my letter being framed up with stars!!!
YIPPEE!!!

Quiz
created by Polly Snodgrass.

FIRE OF WATER. You are tolerant toward others and are good at easing tension. You make others feel calm and understood. You are patient in even difficult situations or with difficult people. You would make a good therapist or healer. Because of your accepting nature, you are able to have friends from all walks of life. People seek you out for advice because you always know what to do/say for the betterment of everyone involved.

Alter Bridge

Open Your Eyes lyrics

Looking back I clearly see

What it is that's killing me

Through the eyes of one I know

I see a vision once let go

I had it all

Constantly it burdens me

Hard to trust and can't believe

Lost the faith and lost the love

When the day is done

Will they open their eyes

And realize we are one

On and on we stand alone

Until our day has come

When they open their eyes

And realize we are one

I love the way I feel today

But how I know the sun will fade

Darker days seem to be

What will always live in me

But still I run

It's hard to walk this path alone

Hard to know which way to go

Will I ever save this day

Will it ever change

Will they open their eyes

And realize we are one

Still today we carry on

I know our day will come

When they open their eyes

And realize we are one

Will they open their eyes

And realize we are one

(its hard to walk this path alone

hard to know which way to go)

Will they open their eyes

and realize we are one

(lost the faith and lost the love when the day is done)

Will they open their eyes

And realize we are one

21st Aug

Thank you Princesses (Betty, Eileen and MinMin) for the belated celebration on the 21st of August!!! I am so blessed to have 3 beauties accompanying me on that saturday. But I was late... Oops... Broke one rule when goin' out with girls but that's the way I am. Hahaha... Sorry babes.

Initially, agreed to watch 13 Going 30, well, have to since I'm watching with 3 gals. Can't possibly asked 3 gals to watch something which they don't know, something like Alien Vs Predator? Haha... However, Princess Mini somehow booked '13 Going 30' tickets on the 25th Aug instead of 21st Aug. Guess she's getting impatient for her birthday celebration. (Her birthday is on 30th Aug.) Haha...

So we watched Alien Vs Predator instead. Well... 3 gals and a guy watching a guy kinda show. Guys, you know what to expect... Expect questions, even if it's something you expect everyone should know. But not everyone is a male, so gotta compromise with the situation. Haha...

Alien Vs Predator... Choose your side. Whoever wins... We lose. Hmmm... Alot will choose Predator just because it's cool and high tech. Well, since most are with Predator, I'm goin' with instinctive Alien. "Bug on them fellows!"

The show is a typical sci-fi movie about a battle between 2 different alien species, fighting out to prove its superiorty over the other. Who won? Who lost? Check it out at your nearest theatre before the showdown is over.

Well, after the movie, I gotta dine with the 3 gorgeous. How lucky can a guy like me get? 3 babes! Wooooooooo~ Had Japanese ramen and some side dishes, which I found amazingly familiar with! Instinct tells me that the fact is neither Alien nor Predator wins, it's us who are victorious! Why? Simply because the food dished out in front of us on our dining table were none other than the familiar faces who we saw on the big screen just minutes before! Aliens and Predators (some seafood that looked alike A or P) were what we had for dinner! See what I mean? After all the fight, they still ended up in our stomach.

Well, as we all know, shopping is in the blood of women. These 3 are no exceptions. We went window shopping at various fashion shops. Hmmm... Shopping with 3 gals isn't too bad. I love shopping anyway, however, since I'm shopping with not 1 but 3, chances of entering female shops are tripled. How do I feel? Not bored. Nope. Tired? Hmmm... am tired but not because of shopping with them. So nope again... That's not what I felt. I'll simply put it this way. I was in no man's land. Get it? No MAN's Land. Haha...

Then we had games of pool which was later accompanied by Capt. Tan Y.P., who we got to know from NDP. Was enjoyable but my tiredness kinda limit my energy level to the minimal fun. Learnt some insight information about army life during a ride home offered by the generous Captain while the 3 babes continued their night life elsewhere.

Ladies, THANK YOU for the wonderful company! And Leeny, thanks for the present! Simple but cool enough. :)

And to Shi Jie... HAPPY BIRTHDAY once again!!!



27th Aug

Celebrated MinMin's birthday in advanced at the restuarant where I had my birthday celebrated at 10 days ago. Hahaha... It was pretty good to meet up with good ol' pals again having dinner. It's something which has been missing ever since the attachment started. Haiz... Gotta stay in contact!!! Hahaha...

Since being the sweet Mini Min she is, the class replaced her a birthday cake for a sweet delicious strawberry strudel! YUMMY it was! Hahaha... Hope you had fun and happy with the presents! Hehe... At least it's a better celebration this time around as compared to the previous year.


29th Aug

Can't wait for payday! Finally picked up the courage to ask for a loan from dad to go shopping. Hahaha... Boy am I glad. Got one of the latest Liverpool training kit series, a red Liverpool travel polo which cost nearly $70. Then bought the previous season's white away jersey costing nearly $40. Total cost $110. However, I remembered the $40 Reebok voucher given in the goodie bag during the Big Walk, I just need to pay $70 for the polo, and as for the jersey, I got it relatively free! Hahahaha!!!


30th Aug

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS MINI!!! Stay cute and cheerful and healthy!!! Well... actually you always are except for the latter. Hahaha...

Robbie Fowler the legend... click the following link to read more about the Anfield God.

liverpoolfc.tv%3A FOWLER%92S ANFIELD HIGHS AND LOWS

Robbie Fowler a.k.a Anfield God, the KOP favourite boy of all time, YOU"LL NEVER WALK ALONE!!!

It's been how long since I last blog? Hmmm... 1,2,3...16,17,18 days. 18days?! Hmmm... Hahaha... Must have been exhausted after the NAPFA test. So what exactly happened the past 18 days? Let me just give some highlights...

NAPFA Test
I'll pick up from where I left off... NAPFA test that day... Hmmm... The results: Failed Hahahaha... But it ain't disheartening at all. Got 17points. 2pts for Sit & Reach, 4pts for Sit Ups, 5pts for 4x10m Shuttle Run, 3pts each for 2.4km & Standing Broad Jump but 0pts for Pull Ups. After analysis, I found out that if I had reached an extra centimetre for Sit & Reach, another 1 Sit Up and did 8 Pull Ups, I would have got a Gold for NAPFA! All's not lost yet. I can still retake the test anyday as long as there is NAPFA test conducted in NYP. So the Gold is still within my reach.

9th August
Was ushering at Kallang Stadium in the North sector (Green Section) for National Day Parade(NDP). It was bloody crowded! And I mean bloody crowded! The crowd was a sea of RED! Haha... But shouldn't it be red? It's the national colour and my favourite too! Not to mention it's the colour of Liverpool FC! Anyway, back to NDP. The crowd was bigger than expected. The decisiveness of the army officers managed to squeeze in the tens of thousands of extra spectators. The NDP show was phenomenon! Despite watching the rehearsals over and over again, the day itself commands a totally different perspective. The atmosphere was like... WOW! The fireworks were jaw dropping. The sing-along made the crowd sounds like one. EXTREMELY FANTASTIC!!!

This very day was the very last NDP for Mr Goh Chok Tong as Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister. The special thank you-farewell segment specially prepared for Mr Goh during the NDP was very touching. All his efforts in the Parliment and in making Singapore what she is now. Mr Goh, THANK YOU! From 12th Aug '04 onwards, new DPM Mr Lee Hsien Loong, all the best! I believe and have total faith in you, knowing that you will bring Singapore to a higher and newer level! MAJULAH SINGAPURA = ONWARD SINGAPORE!!!

Anyway... HAPPY 39th BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!!!

At the end of the day, we finally get what the crowd gets. The funpack. Hahaha... Actually nothing much in it lah. The most valuable stuff to me is the national flag. Heez... I am proud to be a Singaporean!

The Village

1. Let the bad colour not be seen. It attracts them.

2. Never enter the woods. That is where they wait.

3. Heed the warning bell. For they are coming.

Watched The Village at Causeway Point directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

The Plot:
In a quiet, isolated village in rural Pennsylvania, there lies a pact between the people of the village and the creatures who reside in the surrounding woods: the townspeople do not enter the woods, and the creatures do not enter the village. The pact stays true for many years, but when Lucius Hunt seeks medical supplies from the towns beyond the wood, the pact is challenged. Animal carcasses, devoid of fur, begin to appear around the village, causing the council of elders to fear for the safety of the village, the pact, and so much more.

Every fan would know Shyamalan always has surprising twists in his movies. This is no exception. But this time, his twist is more than anyone could imagine. The twist is not based much on characters or plot. But a wicked twist that had decieved the audience throughout the show. It's a twist in timeline! A simple work of genious or ingenious? You decide.

Lots commented the twist as lame. But com'on! What exactly is lame?! This is an art! A work of genius! We expect twists in the plot or characters, but how often do we think there would be a twist in the timeline? Think about it! The word 'lame' is perhaps used once too often by Singaporeans. Sad to say, I'm starting to think that Singaporeans had see creativity as a work of lame.

Fever

What's the fever over fever?! Dengue is on the rise! Princess Mini... Get well soon! have a speedy recovery!!!

(Well... By the time I posted this blog... Princess had already recovered. Haha... WELL DONE MINMIN!!! You're BACK!)

The 11th Hour Panic (FYP)

The final week of the FYP... Supervisor told us to throw away everything we had on the final week of our project. Nothing much was done for the project. Wondered how to submit the project and was lost during my presentation. Nothing prepared, nothing accomplished. 12 weeks given to complete project. 12 weeks used to slack instead. But all thanks to my partner Iswaran, we somehow managed to make ends meet on the final day, 14 Aug. Frantic moments and last minute works. When will I ever learn? I wonder... But hey! At least one week passed after that final day of FYP and I got myself attached to M1 for attachment. Guess M1 figured I need money to pay the hefty M1 bills i owe them once too often that they decided to seize the chance to employ me. Hehe...

ROCK ON!!!

Kenny invited me to some rocking moment! Thank you pal! The rocking moment is... Hoobastank Concert at Sentosa Siloso Beach on the 14th of August!!! Kenny got a pair of standing tickets from NYP. Surprise surprise! Haha... Like most concerts, it took Hoobastank an hour after the scheduled time(7.30pm) to start rocking the fans. We were there like 6.30pm? 2 hours of waiting and listening to an hour of unknown songs by unknown bands making the openings for Hoobastank. That was boredom found on a beach filled with noise pollution.

Finally at 8.30pm when the fans almost losing their patience, Hoobastank came out rocking! Songs like Out of Control, Same Direction, Unaffected, Never There, What Happened To Us?, etc, were awesome! But the few songs that set the crowd went gaga over were hits from previous album, Running Away, and the song that wrapped up the whole show, Crawling In The Dark. Obviously, the one that hit the peak had to be The Reason.

Vocals, Doug Robb, was incredible! He stripped topless halfway through the show, baring a sweaty hot toned body! After singing the 1st 2 songs, he had hinted us, the crowd behind that was separated by a barrigade from those standing in front, to jump over and join with those, who paid more to get closer to the band, in front. However, due to security, none were able to hop over. Not until the final song when all hell broke loose! Organisers had no choice but to allow the crowd to merge into 1 with those in front.

Hoobastank ROCKS!!!

Dinner

Had a birthday dinner with my family on the 15th of Aug. It was expensive! Can't blame. We were dining at Yum Cha Restuarant at Toa Payoh. The food there mostly were seafood. The prawns were always on dish. Haiz... Just one of those food which I dislike. But anyway, it was filling. Right after the meal, I heard loud bangs that sounds like thunder. However, the air didn't smell like a storm was approaching. I told me dad about it. Guess what, without hesitation, he pointed to the 25 storey high HDB flat in front of us. He sprinted towards and we followed. Up to the highest level, the mystery unveiled. It's fireworks. Hahaha.. It was B-E-A-U-TIFUL!

Thank You!

Thank you guys & gals! Thanks for celebrating my birthday. Thanks for the simple yet warm hearty dinner we had. Thanks for the jersey. Thank the Ones above in Heaven. Thank you fate for putting me in this warm, funky, cool, hip, happening, interesting class of MIT0218. Thank you all who made this happen. Even if you weren't there during that dinner, at least you're still part of my life in MIT0218. Thanks!

And thank you Melanie, Iswaran, Charan, Lawrence, Esther, Elene, Munish and all my other pals who had wished me a Happy Birthday. A celebration at M1 after work with my collegues and then another celebration with my class. What a day!

Finally, to wrap up the long long crap I blogged, here's a food for thought...

"A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action that does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all."

The day has finally come! Today is the day for NAPFA test! Wooohooooooo~!!! After all the training( Last one was on Friday), I'll say what Street(Colin Farrell) said in the blockbuster S.W.A.T., "This is what we train for." Only worry is pull up, still doesn't have strong enough triceps to pull myself up 5 times.  Despite that, I still wanna go for the test even if I know I would most probably fail, since failing one station equals to failing everything. I'm looking forward to 2.4km... It's gonna be fun! Achieved 10min and 38sec on final training day. But under my standards, it's still below par. But considering the fitness level for the past few months, it's still a job well done. Today is the day.

Is it a game or a test? Could  be a little bit of both. ;)

Went for another training on Wednesday. It's lighter than the past few trainings I had. However, the worst thing to come is while doin' situps on a rocky pathway. It bloody peeled off my skin where the tail bone is located. And it bloody hurts now. Anyway, after resting on Monday and Tuesday, running on Wednesday is easier. I feel more energy and am able to run faster. Looks like there's a possible chance to get 5pts for 2.4km. But if my pull up station failed me, all my efforts may just go to waste. Haiz... I'm looking forward to 2nd August. Can't wait to finish this test.

Went to the gym at Yishun Stadium yesterday. My 1st time to a gym and am like a curious kid, excited and keen to try out all the heavy machines available. Supposed to rest during the weekends but an offer to join my friend to the gym, at a point when I'm in the mood to workout, is hard to turn down. Basically, to cut the long story short, I tried almost all the machines there and I've found out the weakest muscle I have! It's my pathetic triceps! Hahaha... No wonder I can hardly do the pull ups. Oops... :X

Stupid me! Curiousity kills the cat. I'm the cat that almost got killed. Trying out the strenuous work outs almost tear all my fatigue muscles. Can't quite believe I actually stayed at the gym working out for almost 4 long hours! Haiz... Fortunately, the one part of me that's really feeling the pain are my weak triceps. But I'm glad. As the saying goes... No pain, no gain.

I had better rest for the next few days...

The very common question in the science of Robotics. "After Man successfully created high A.I. robots to serve man, will these robots one day calculate out a way to outwit, outsmart and outplay their creator and take over the existence of Man on the face of this very planet Earth?
 
Scientists have always wanted to create high A.I. and flexible mobility in robots to serve mankind. However, they've always feared robots may turn against their creator, Man. Why did I bring up about robotics today? Simply because... I Watched I, Robot today.

In this story, one scientist did just that and put down 3 safe laws which all robots should follow.

1st Law: A ROBOT MAY NOT INJURE A HUMAN BEING OR, THROUGH INACTION, ALLOW A HUMAN BEING TO COME TO HARM.
 
2nd Law: A ROBOT MUST OBEY ORDERS GIVEN IT BY HUMAN BEINGS EXCEPT WHERE SUCH ORDERS WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE FIRST LAW.

3rd Law: A ROBOT MUST PROTECT ITS OWN EXISTENCE AS LONG AS SUCH PROTECTION DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE FIRST OR SECOND LAW.
 
However, as technology advanced and as computers start to have an intelligence of their own, the worst fear happened.
 
Conclusion: Some syntax errors but still able to compile and run. Technical errors will be solved by a believer who know almost nuts about robots. Programmes will be re-coded and peace between man and robots will be restored. Go watch it!

Training Day #5
 
I'll just cut my training  report short... Things improved as compared with Day #4. Short and sweet. But the best thing is... I no longer feel any pain in my hamstrings, calves and thigh muscles. No more feeling the heavy pull down by tired muscles. However, after 5 days of vigorous training, considering the sudden physical demand after months of slacking, I've to say I'm growing fatigue. So it's time to rest during the weekends and recoup and repair those tired muscles of mine.

After training was Phat Nite at NYP. Was kinda boring in da beginning and it's kinda stinky on the 'dance floor'. Music was good but atmosphere wasn't. Exceptions where music and dance were good was when the DJ played Hey Ya by Outkast, and some others which I can't quite remember. You may ask why don't I remember, and I'll simply reply there weren't an impact. As time passed till nearly 10, I made a request to the DJ to play Let's Get Retarded by the Black Eyed Peas. That song set the crowd jumpin'! And it's the only real song which I dance wildly too... Other than that particular moment, I'd say to the Live Audio, the organisers for Phat Nite, nice try.

Training Day #4

Training as usual. Started with standing broad jump. An improvement of a few centimetres. Good job! Hehe... However, muscles felt a strain. Nevermind that and carried on with shuttle run - 10.3seconds. Slower than yesterday and my hamstrings suffered another pull. Nevermind again. Rest a while and stretch again. Pull ups is next but I barely surfaced above the bar. Fatigue muscles? Nevermind, rest awhile again and proceeded to 2.4km run.

This time, I tried something different. Read an article about how some reservists trained for 2.4km run.

Here's what one 34 year old, who completed at a remarkable time( considering his age) of 10min 35sec, said,"Run at a slower than normal pace for the 1st 2 laps. Then run at normal pace for the 3rd-4th laps. Finally, run at a faster than normal pace for the remaining 2 laps."

Here's another tip I read... Count down the laps instead of counting up. It gives a psychological advantage and seems to lessen the burden of running 6 long laps.

Iswaran and I tried what they said. Started from Lap 6 and counted down as we complete each lap. Did what that 34 year old said. In the end... we had an all time low record of 13min and 30sec.

Conclusion: One man's meat is another's poison. However, the counting down method works. So i'll stick back to my normal practice on Training Day #5.

Training Day #3

Training is progressing well. Stamina's regaining and things are picking up well. Trained with Peter and Grace today. Started out with basic warm ups and stretchings. 1st stop... the standing broad jump... Did fairly well today. The worse thing is I landed on my buttocks during an attempt. It still bloody hurts now... Ouch!

Haha... Proceeded to the 4 x 10m shuttle run. The result? Excellent! It's a delight! It's 9.xx seconds. Maintained my past standard. Phew~

Then to one of my weakest... the pull ups. Again.. did a pathetic 2. While Laowai did an almost effortless 3. Well done! Hahaha... BUT still gotta GANBATTE~!

Finally to my favourite! 2.4km running! Back on that red track today was a breeze, as compared to the previous 2 days. Breathing pattern was good. I'm enjoying the run. The devil that kept chanting 'give up' in my mind was slayed today. It's mind over matter and I won the psychological game against my dark side. Hehe... The sprint in the remaining 100m was superb and it's simply icing on the cake. However... timing's still around the same as yesterday. Didn't really got the exact timing today but at least I believe stamina has improved. Since stamina is better now, I'm gonna speed up for my 2.4km run...

Training Day #4, I'm ready!