2010 Review (I)

I reckoned that 2010 was one of my most busiest year and definitely one of the most sickly, bad year. Hmm... It wasn't even the year of RAT (chinese zodiac). It is a belief to many chinese that during our own year, we will have many obstacles to overcome and will not have a smooth year unless we went and pray to the almighty above. Its better not to write who they are, in case i wrote wrongly right?

Before summarising what have been going on in 2010, let's take a look at what i set to do in 2010, my 2010 resolution checklist:

[  ] Lose >10kg?
[X] Get at least a B- in all my modules next 2 semesters,
[X] Get to go abroad twice,
[X] Able to control my mood better,
[  ] Make 10 different type of desserts,
[X] Make more friends of common interest,
[X] Have more adventures & MORE PHOTOS,
[  ] Get a job of a better pay,
[  ] Stay HAPPY in 2010.

Wow! I did 5 of the 9 items i set! At the end of 2010, i gained 5kg instead of losing! I did not exercise much. No thanks to my knee injury & poor control of diet during exam period. Yes, i am like a rubberband. I lost some, but rebounded back after that. Academic wise, i missed my exam in July. That's a big NO-NO! But i did surprisingly get into DEAN list in first semester and acheived at least a B- in second semester. I shall put a check to the item.

In 2010, i made numerous trips to Malaysia, including Ledang & Muar, Kuala Lumpur, Mersing/Tio-man, Kota Tingi... In December, i even traveled to Genting & Taiwan. Travelling to Taiwan with my family is something indeed special to me. Even there are small unhappiness during the trip, i can sense that no one is more happy than my parents! Their happiness make me happy too! Just like me, i am sure they are unhappy with certain things but my parents are too kind to us! They gave in to my siblings too. Nevermind, hope they enjoy the trip!

I can't remember when did i vent my anger on anyone in 2010. Alright, it wasn't me to do that! Though i do admit that i can be harsh with things i expect to be done in a better way! *laugh* I did not spend much time in kitchen in 2010. Have been busy with school, work & music. But i do admit that i am enjoying my short stint in learning music. I had a chance to go on stage, record a single track but had to end my lessons since my beloved instructor is leaving for her music studies. I hope that i will continue my interest if i am given chance. Be it vocal lessons or instruments, i will go for it! Through Replugged Music, i met a lot of music lovers and they are all passionate for music! Some went for gigs, some recorded MVs, some even released albums on their own!

Lots of adventure in 2010 saw me taking tons of photos. But i had not upload as often as i usually did. I still have not upload photos taken from Genting & Taiwan trip, or even Wang Hao's farewell. I will soon upload and will try to organise my photos before my semester get tougher again!

Despite numerous complaints about low pay, i have not make a change in job. One reason is that i am still schooling. The other reason is that i wanted to give the new company a chance. Hope they improve my benefits(not happening yet). But i really wanted to thank all who helped me by treating me in 2010! I really appreciate that! I will not forget that when my financial status improves.

Stay happy in 2010? Hmm....

(to be continued...)

And i miss you so

Never had i thought that i will miss you so much. Not till i see you. Everything began to change after you left our family. Everyone changed. No longer is working fun. I don't feel this when you reached, i only know how much i miss you when we went ktv! Awww, those memories regarding the time all of us enjoying ourselves flashes back in my mind.

But, of course, you had grown up a lot. Though still jovial or fun-loving, you are more mature now. All those hard times you went through must have shape you well. You sang with more emotions now, too. This is not going to be the last time i see you though i do wonder when the next time will be. Till then, i will miss you... Take care of yourself, bro =)

5th Annual Ec0118 Gathering

Time flies. It has been 9+years since we last met each other. I wouldn't say 'know each other' as it is after the second semester when i began to know the guys. I am talking about my poly friends. J-team (Phyo was the only one not from this team). Not all were present, but majority came. J-team consist of JianLong, John, Jocelyn, James, Jie Hao (Aris), Junhao, Junwen, (late) Jeremy, Jannah & me! Why me? You may asked. I was known as Joseph when i was working at G2000, before i changed my ang mo mia. Hence, i wanted to find a Christian name with the letter 'J' to remind myself of this unbreakable bond, after deciding to drop 'Ashton'. 'Jaron'? Considering still. This was suggested by the Wonder Twins (hao&wen).

As the title of this post suggested, it is the 5th time we had our annual gathering since 2006. This excludes other smaller gatherings or visiting our late friend, Jeremy. We even met twice last year as some find it better to meet more often, but trust me, its never been easy. But december gathering is much easier, especially since all of us wanted to meet up! Unlike some other group of friends, its rather easy to organise as most wouldn't back out at the very last minute. That is what i called real friends.
What's so different between this year's and past year's? This year mark he first time we held it outside Yiliang's place. First time we had non-BBQ food. First time we had a non-chinese organiser. First time we actually had gift exchange! *applauds* Like last year, Jian Long brought her girlfriend. But John's partner changes her status. Girlfriend no more, she is his wife now! We held this year's event at Fika - a halal swedish cafe & bistro. Man, the place was cool! (apart from 40% of their furnitures from their swedish counterpart, IKEA)

I guess we are too loud and fun loving, the waiters serving us laugh at us when we are joking and doing the gift exchange. The service was great. The place is spacious yet cosy and homely. We simply love the kitchen and the fireplace! Price of the wood was above average but comparable with Swensen's (Swensen's service is one of the worst among other restaurants in Singapore). The taste of the food was ok but their beef patties tasted rather similiar with IKEA's meatballs. We joked that theyare affliated! Lol.

The gift exchange was the highlight of the night. We had lots of fun. 5 of the 12 bought Bodyshop's products. 2 of us bought Espirit's towel! Haha, I did not know we have such 'mo qi'. I am sure there will be a ban on Bodyshop's product in 2011. The most unique gift was from Yiliang. He get a remote "Control Ur Babe" controller. John became the lucky person to get that unique gift. I am sure he is VERY happy with it. He began to try the buttons and we all laugh at the various sound the controller made. Now you know why the waiters are laughing as well?

I shall not go and talk about the movie here. In short, i had LOTS OF FUN!!! =)

Trying to decide which present goes to us

John with his handy 'controller'

Welcome to the Family! (I love this pic!)

We are in the 'Kitchen'!

lonely lonely xmas (eve)

its a boring xmas eve for me... Spending my time alone online at home. Did not go out for count down... But i have to admit, i am rather tired on the eve. Whole body is aching and my knee did not recover at all. That is going to be the most impactful event of the year. (will post 2o1o review soon!)

Despite lonely eve, my weekends have been packed with events!!! I will be watching at least 3 movies over the long weekend! I spent my x'mas watching 2 movies - Rapunzel & Tron! I also went for ktv! Lol! Now on my way to Photonics Annual Xmas gathering. Annual EC0118 gathering will be held tonight too! Woohoo! That's when the third movie is going to take place. =) Jack Black's movie is in our plans...

Rapunzel is a Disney tangled tale... the drawings are so beautiful that i thought that it is real! The music was ok but the happy ending is what drawing us back to Disney classics. Honestly, this is the first time i saw or know about this classic fairytale. I only know that there is one long hair princess among Disney's Princesses! Nice to meet you, princess! =)

Tron, on the other hand, is a little disappointing in their story line. Many profound word and, pardon my poor grasp of English, i could not understand what they are talking about or calling. I always thought the 'Clu' they are calling is 'Clone'. Nonetheless, the effects is way too cool! I like all the lightings, clothes, effects etc... 'Sam Flynn' looks great in the movie too! Suave. This movie does not starr any chio bu.

Alright, shall end the post here. I reached my destination!

台湾第三天

12月18日。清。
今天去了几个闻名地方，如国立艺传统街中心。感觉挺好的，玩得还不赖。虽然风景一般，但还是看见蛮多可爱的事物，尝到了宜兰饼和包心粉圆。还拍了许多逗趣和美丽的照片。
接着，我们便乘搭旅行巴士到苏澳新站，再从那搭火车到花莲。没想到竟然有那么多搭霸王车的人。他们应该都没买票，否则也不会没位子坐！
一到花莲站，马上就上巴士前往Shabu Shabu餐馆，享用晚餐。虽然味道一般（雪糕味道不够），但至少我们吃出乐趣来。告诉大家，我吃过王子面了喔！我还蛮喜欢！
现在正躺在床上，有点困了。明天便要换酒店，该休息。大家，晚安！

台湾之旅

现在的所在地是台北Fullerton Hotel. 首次在台湾这个宝岛写博克，感觉挺不赖的. 在这家文明的酒店居住的两晚,挺开心的.又舒适,又壮观.环境特优.惟有早点普通了点,小间了点.今天的天气比昨天暖和了许多.昨天一直下着细细的雨,冷的全家人都穿的厚厚的!我妈和爸跟我比较怕冷,姐和哥较不怕.
我们走遍了台北较出名的景点,如西门叮,台北101,故宫博物院,九份等.也算是走完了台北.但因时间不够,并没在任何一个地方逗留了很久.行程还过得去,有些小插曲就不必多说.一切早已预料到了.今天,同时也吃了许多小吃如大鸡扒,大肠包小肠等,名副其实的道地小吃.希望接下来的行程能越来越精彩!
哇!已经12.40AM 了!该休息了.新加坡和台湾的朋友们,大家晚安!

O Holy X'mas

Greetings, Everyone...

Its 8th December... 12 days to Christmas Day...

After receiving encouraging feedbacks and 'likes' in Facebook, i decided to go around the small island of Singapore to capture the captivating lightings and decorations of various malls and streets. I realised that most places like the colour combinations of purple, white and blue. Personally, i love the color combinations of this three colours, especially purple and white. It gave me a romantic, sweet and warm feeling.

I had travelled to Raffles City, Changi Airport, The Central et cetra. From these trips, i took a minute to capture the image that capture my eyes' attention! Hope that you can feel the warmth Singapore can offer this year =) enjoy!

@ Harbour Front Center

@ Marina Square

@ The Central, Clark Quay

@ Orchard Road

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Check out the photo albums:
2009: Have Urself A Merry Little Xmas [click here]
2010: O Holy X'mas [click here]

Busy December

While most students are enjoying their holidays (except for NTU), i am still working on my project. Yes, my project will cross 2 semesters and it is not even my Final Year Project (FYP). FYP only begins in January. I reckon to be more busy then.

December is a busy month for me. I will be heading to Genting on Friday night, returning on Sunday night. On Monday, i will be doing my recording with Replugged. On Tuesday, I will be having my dinner with JH & XY. On Wednesday, i will be heading to Esplanade for my music mentor-cum-instructor, Juliet's album launch before heading home to prepare my tour to Taiwan with family. When i returned from Taiwan on 22nd, I will have to attend a project visit to Microcast on 23rd dec. I will also have 2 events on 26th December! haha Busy? This schedule excludes the training i will be attending at workplace!

December is my birthday month, but i did not have much plans for my Birthday. It is ok for me. I will be celebrating my birthday in Taiwan for the 2nd consecutive years! Cool, huh?! haha!

It's 0128Hrs now! I am going to rest after doing my project halfway. I am too tired to continue. =( Hope this project can move smoothly! Then, all the hardwork will be worthwhile! =)

surprise surprise

I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who supported me over the past few weeks when i am having a tough time studying. Emotionally, they are there whenever i needed them without wanting anything in return. Thanks all who wished me via facebook or face-to-face. Special thanks to my-little-cousin-always Adrielle. Ermei & buddy, Dingze for being there for me, treating me meals at times etc =) Thanks alot.

On Sunday, after the tiring run, i met up with a group of friends for KTV celebrating Edwin's birthday. We bought a cake for him and treat him the KTV since we do not know what to get for him. To my surprise, they celebrate my birthday too! I received my first ever birthday gift in 2010! haha! Yes, caught in surprise... who will buy a cake for himself? Haha, actually, Edwin shared the cake with me for the celebration, the cake was not meant for me! We enjoyed our time & happy enough that we enjoyed our time. The zhi char doesn't taste good but we enjoyed each other company.

Thanks to Edwin for choosin the gift and Ashton (did not come), Jq & Dingze for sharing the gift! It is an awesome top & skinny jeans.... YES ! SKINNY JEANS! OMG! i will never ever get myself slim enough to squeeze into it! but hey, it definitely will serve as a motivation to me. The top fits me well but doesn't look too good on me. If only i have a better bodz. In face, i had a friend who wore this and i almost got one top looking something like that. It is unique design and not what i usually wear. Will i wear it? Maybe, when i toned up a little... or i will look too gayish!

Fun Time KTV-ing!

December Birthday Boys

Edwin giving me the present =)

SCMS 2010

It had been an amazing race, really is... I may sound boastful for posting my timing everywhere but hey, to be honest, we all know the timing is not really that good. 01:15:08 for 10km? Even i could do better in Nike Human race last year. Ranked 4394? It means there are thousands of runners (both guys and girls) much faster than me!

Despite all these, i am happy with the results. Very happy indeed. I wasn't running non-stop or was i in the mood for running. A night before the run, my friend told me he is not going. When i woke up that day, i received another sms from another friend, telling me that he is not going. Thankfully, Stephanie contacted me on SAT to ask if i want to travel to the start point together. On the way there, last friend was uncontactable! (He is still sleeping!)

The run signified my health condition! My knee did not fail me, but my fitness did! I was almost out of breath during the run, having stitch and even black out (almost) when i finished the run! I was very well hydrated after the run, not before. I got to drink mineral water after the run, collect the finisher medal before getting a cereal bar & a can of 100-plus... Ermei even treat me to the free food offer by the title sponsor to their staff (Ermei's sis is working there). Hence, i got myself free lunch with 2 ice-cream! Now you know why i never slim down despite the run...

If my knee allows me... i aim to complete 3 races next year. Adidas Sundown, Nike Run & SCMS 2011! Of course, my standard can only go for 10k. In fact, I already had friends who are willing to run with me for Adidas Sundown! Hooray!

Ermei's nephew