Off to Cambodia for 16 days.

By the time you see this, I'm probably at Cambodia, as my flight is tomorrow, 6am.


I've been awake since early morning, and haven't really able get to catch some sleep. My preparations are mostly done, and people have been asking me? How do I feel now?


I've been having mixed feelings about all this stuff; Excitement, Worry, Happy, Neutral, Anxious etc. I've never imagine myself going to Cambodia. Never in my life.

But here I am, hours away from my flight.. typing this blog entry. I promised myself. I don't want to have any expectations from Cambodia. No low expectations, no high expectations. I'll let my mind be free. I'll going to let my thoughts run wild.

But there are some restrictions for my trip..

1. NO ICE ALLOWED.
2. NO ICE-CREAM ALLOWED.
3. NO RAW FOOD ALLOWED.
4. NO TAP WATER ALLOWED, ONLY DISTILLED WATER.

I even have to brush my teeth using distilled water. I heard the tap water in Cambodia will harden toothbrushes.


Digressing aside, I went to a temple and prayed for my safety yesterday, and I went to take a divine lot from the temple, which I believed it is accurate. I was praying for wealth and family.. Here was what the Goddess of Mercy had for me:


"Adding colour to a gold work, and more beauty emerges. In due course, wealth and health comes. Do not think patience is best. In due course, the whole world knows you.

Do away with the old state. A child being guided by wise parents. Suit yourself in your endeavours. Your livelihood is assured."


I was figuring out what it meant because it was words of wisdom from God, but I thought it was a bit ambiguous. But I somehow know what it means. If you know the full interpretation to it, please comment it at the tagboard or my comment page ok?


And.. I really felt really really emotional and touched as I type this:

"THANK YOU!"


Thank you to all my family and friends who wished me bon voyage and gave me advice and words of wisdom. I really feel appreciated and thankful for such people like you all. I'm really really touched.


And.. I really never expected my friends to sent me off from the airport, especially when it is an UNEARTHLY TIME of 6am.

Thank you to Wei Chong, Shi Li and Clement for offering the drive there, and thank you to the 10+ buddies of you who will be coming later.. I feel really bad that you all are sacrificing your sleep..

To my buddies who can't come, I appreciates your messages and thoughtfulness. You all are appreciated and thanked.

And my family..thank you for all the financial support and stuff..

ALL OF YOU ARE BEING LOVED!


On a different note, I will be posting up blog entries based on scheduled posts, so there will be updates in my absence in Singapore.

Once I reach Cambodia, I will try to update my life there whenever possible.

I will be back in Singapore at 16 Sept at around 12.05pm..



That's all for this entry, and I shall see you all soon. Take care all!

Fujifilm F100fd and some sad news.

Last year, I bought the Fujifilm F50fd which costs me $500. Now to my amazement, Fujifilm has produced one which is MUCH MORE better than the predecessor.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the awesome and powerful.. Fujifilm F100fd!







It is a lot better than my specifications, and I was so in love with this gem, so much so that I asked the promoter whether I could trade in my F50fd and top-up some money for it, but to no avail.

All I can do is admire it I guess..


I've just learnt that a good colleague of mine from Avida Logistics, Frankie has left the company. I just wanna say all the best for his future endeavours, and thank him for all the things he've done.

Frankie, let's find one day and meet up ya!

9 days of work.

Just ended my last day of work today, and the 9 days working was another kind of experience I guess..


A few days ago, there was this customer who was crying and shouting hysterically for her lost child in a quiet Marina Square.


She was running frantically and shouting "Kei Kei, where are you? Have you seen her? She's only 2 years old!"

We felt sorry for her, and advised her to search for the customer service counter. Thankfully, she managed to find her lost daughter at the atrium of Marina Square, and was seen crying inconsolably and her daughter was like "What is happening?"


And I also had a customer who bought lots of items from me, and unfortunately, I didn't have the stock. So I went all the way to another deparmental store in Orchard Road to get it for her.

I felt really satisfied when she still remembered my name and kept thanking me for helping her out. I could tell she was a rich lady, but she showed no sign of arrogance and uppityness. Instead she thanked me sincerely and acknowledged my name.


I also came to know of some local staff whom was nice and friendly, and made my work easier and more smooth.

Awesome people.


There are a lot more I could go on, but I shall stop here for now.

Cambodia..

I'm flying off to Cambodia next Sunday, which I will be doing voluntary work with the rest of the 15 people.

I'll going to be there for 16 days, which is the longest trip that I'll be staying in any foreign country.

The main reason why I'm going there is to experience something new. Deep inside, I really wanted to see a different change of enviroment, a different change of life, and most importantly, a different change of perspective.


Technically speaking, I'm considered lucky to be born in a developed country, and often than not, I take things for granted. Everything.


Electricity, Water, Food, Peace, Family... in fact I had most of the things I wanted in life.

I've once read a Singaporean's blog when he went to Cambodia as a student for a few years, and when he came back, he sat down at one of the cafes at Plaza Singapura. He was so disgusted when he saw youngsters buying branded stuff and splurging money on what he deemed as unnecessary stuff.

But he added "Who am I to judge them when I was previously one of them? In Cambodia, most people live less than US$2 a day, and here I am back in Singapore seeing all my countrymen spending on so much stuff."

I don't think I will be so affected and share fully his sentiments during my 16 days at Cambodia.

However, I will be going to Cambodia with a light-hearted mind, and shall refuse to tell myself what I'm prepared to see there.

Sometimes, when you know that when you are going to experience something different, your mind has already understood that it is going to be something different, and when it is meant to be a shock, it is no longer a shock anymore.


On another contradicting note, this is most likely my first and last trip for voluntary work. I need money really badly due to certain circumstances, and I thought it was unwise for me to go for such voluntary work for 16 days, where I can earn around hundreds of dollars in 16 days. But then again, the voluntary work was once in a lifetime, and it was a life-changing experience.


Contradicting, I know. But since I'm already confirmed going there, I'll make the best out of it.

Time passes so fast yeah?

School ended last week, and I must say I've done my best for the semester. So whatever grade I get, I'll be really contented. Same thing always happens: Cashflow problems.


I think School Of Design should really do something about this. Quality printing is sometimes important, but there are no subsidies available for us. And we spent so much on printing itself.


Seriously if you're not rich, you SHOULD NOT join design courses. I'm pretty sure a lot of people will agree with me. So if some graduating secondary students want to join design courses, money is one factor that they must consider.


Digressing aside from school, I've met up with an old friend which I haven't seen for 7 years. A former best friend, but I still look him up as one of the very few intelligent and mature friends I have.

He didn't really changed much, but still as carefree as ever.

I sometimes wish I can be carefree. Ignorant to how the world revolves. Ignorant to how the society works. Ignorant to how things function.

Don't continue reading if you hate rant.

I was hoping that today's starting of work would be a breeze. But it was not meant to be. The in-charge decided to take it to a personal level. I'm in a foul mood, and I need to rant to make me feel good. So please people, do pardon my crudeness and rudeness.



CASE 1


She was looking at my identification card, and gave some remarks "Wah last time so handsome, why now become like that, and also so old. Now so many pimples."

Excuse me, it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black. If by your standards I'm considered old, than you must be ancient.

What is it about pimples? They say that wrinkles represents the wisdom of the old, so pimples represents the youthfulness of the young.



CASE 2


Next, she was showing signs of doubtfulness against me, because I told her I can start work at 11am for the rest of the days. She kept telling me about how important it is to be there earlier, or we would be complained whatsoever.

I didn't get a chance to prove myself, because she immediately called another colleague and said "Never mind, you take the 11am slot." Another colleague sensed something was wrong, and she told her in dialect that if she's doing this, aren't she looking down on me.

She decided to ask me, and I told her I've never been late for work before. And she repeated the consequences and the whole process one more time. And I was so pissed.


Listen, who are you to QUESTION MY PUNCTUALITY? What audacity of you to be telling me all these when you were the only one late for the setup today, and yet you're the incharge. What irony!


Speaking of punctuality, I've kept a perfect clean sheet and have never been late in my secondary school and in this company. (Just let me boast, because I'm feeling horrible now.)

I might be a little late sometimes when it comes to meeting friends but when it's serious business, I'm really committed to it and AM SERIOUS.

If I'm still in the company, I really hope I will never have to meet you again.


Good riddance.

Been donkey years since I've seen a rainbow..

It's been such a long time since I've seen a rainbow, and especially a rainbow that's so big. Perhaps it's rare for me, so I decided to take a photo of it while in a taxi.

Sometimes, you get amazed by how beautiful Mother Nature can be, although it's just a spectrum of light.

I suddenly felt a sense of hope and light in this complicated world.

Singapore 2010 Logo Design Workshop..

2 days ago, I was involved in the Singapore 2010 Logo Design Workshop, organised by Nanyang Polytechnic School of Design.

The main aim is to introduce the Youth Olympic Games to the secondary school students, and to design a logo for the Youth Olympic Games under the guidance of the lecturers and students.

Singapore 2010 Logo Design Workshop

Some of the students designing logos..

Although it was only a few hours of session, I learn quite a lot from these students, and their perspective. It was a good experience.

It's really great interacting with these youngsters.

And the Guest-of-Honour was Teo Ser Luck..

Teo Ser Luck being interviewed by the media.

Wonderful day I guess..

Thanks, I needed that.

It's the Hungry Ghost Festival, and in Chinese tradition, ghosts will be released from the Hell Gates, roaming in Earth for 1 month.

Last week, I was in school discussing about the Youth Expedition Project, and we ended like around 9pm close to 10pm. I was walking along the hallway, and I was the only person walking.

As I walk past the carpark, my eyes was set on this car. And it has words scripted on it:

"YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE."

Thanks ya, I don't need a reminder from some Liverpool fan's car that "I'll never walk alone" in this month.

Happy Birthday..

Happy National Day..

It's Singapore's 43rd birthday. Hope this country will continue to prosper and grow into a better cosmopolitan city.

Happy Birthday to Shi Li, Derrick, Tisa, and my uncle as well!

It's the Beijing Olympics 2008!

Beijing Olympics begins today, at an auspicious date of 08.08.08, where 8 in chinese means prosperity.

It is an event where all the top sportsmen in the world congregrate and fight for the medals.

I myself isn't really excited about the Olympics because I'm not really a fan of sports, but you need to respect them, because these athletes wait for this very day to come, which is the most prestigious sports event.

I was watching TV just now, and saw so many countries' sportsmen in the Beijing Bird's Nest stadium, and there are some of the countries which I never heard before. And presidents, prime ministers came to give their support, such as America President George W Bush.

I suddenly felt that the world is such a happy place, where countries congregrate together in harmony. We're human beings with different cultures, races and thinking and yet we still come together in harmony. Ahhh, the feeling was good.


Anyway, I really hope that Singapore will finally win a medal after so many years, and the sports coverage that I'll probably look out for are Badminton, Swimming, Gymnastics and Table Tennis.


So people..

LET THE BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 BEGIN!

I believe..

I was listening to the song I Believe, and I'm greatly impressed by how impactful this song is to me. Everytime I feel unmotivated, sad, and all those negative feelings, I'll always listen to this timeless classic, sung by Fantasia Barrino and written by Tamyra Gray.



I first fell in love with this song when I heard Fantasia Barrino singing it at American Idol Finale Season 3. She sung it with so much gusto, so much emotion, it was really overwhelming. It was the best American Idol Finale in all the seasons I've watched.


So people, let me present to you, I Believe by Fantasia Barrino:

First song



Finale



Lyrics:

Have you ever reached a rainbow's end
And did you find your pot of gold
Ever catch a shooting star
And tell me how high did you soar

Ever felt like you were dreaming
Just to find that you're awake
And the magic that surrounds you
Can lift you up and guide you on your way

[Chorus:]I can see it in the stars across the sky
Dreamt a hundred thousand dreams before
Now I finally realize
You see I've waited all my life for this moment to arrive
And finally, I believe

When you look out in the distance
You see it never was that far
Ohhh No
Heaven knows your existance
And leads you to be everything you are
OhhhThere's a time for every soul to flyIt's in the eyes of every child
It's the hope, the love that saves the world

And, ohhh, we should never let it go

[Chorus]
I believe in the impossible
If I reach deep within my heart
Overcome any obstacle
Won't let this dream fall apart
See I strive to be the very best
Shine my light for all to see
Cause anything is possible
When you believe yeah
[Chorus]

Ohh Yeah
Love keeps liftin me higher
Liftin me higher
Love keeps liftin me higher
I said love keeps liften
Love keeps liften me
I said Love keeps liften
Love keeps liften me higher
Said love keeps liften me higher
I said love keeps liften me high


It will and always be the best song I've ever heard. It's the song that has such an impact on my life.

Willpower..

I realise that it's your willpower that brings you to where you are.

Parents, friends and relatives can only guide and direct you to the right path. But your brain control your nerves, and whether you heed their advice is another matter.

Whether you're willing to study hard or work hard.
Whether you're willing to fight for something.
Whether you're willing to pursue your dreams.

It's your WILL, and you have a choice.


It sometimes pisses me off when people blame their relatives and friends for the stigma they suffered, and they only have themselves to blame.

Working hard..

One more week left to go, before my 2 months worth of holidays are coming. I know I seldom update as much as I could.

I've been working very hard (or so I thought) for many weeks already. I really don't care about competition between my classmates. I'm not an outstanding design student. I'm not even average, I'm pretty much mediocre.

Despite that, I only have one aim which is to salvage my GPA.

Speaking of competitions, another assignment associated with a client has been called off. I'm only left with KK Alpine Blossoms logo design competition. No harbouring any thoughts of winning this thing, just doing my best for the sake of it.

School work aside, I had a hearty chat with my beloved teacher and friend, Mrs Yap a few days ago. It was her birthday last Friday. I haven't seen her for months, and we had so much things to catch up.

Apart from meeting her, I also met a bunch of goody friends which I haven't seen for weeks, or months.

*I suddenly got a lot of things to write, but I'll skip this part.*

I always feel relaxed and happy whenever I'm with my cliques.

So yeah, some pictures courtesy of Ying:

Shi Li being the Snow White while Ying is the Cowboy!

Boon, that hook was tantamount to a knife!

I've never looked so bad with pink hat.