My First Wii Party

It was last night. After work, a few of us went over to one of my colleagues house for dinner (home made, thanks to his wife), chatted, drank a little, and then party !

Well, other than saying it is my 2nd time playing the Wii, I have to say I was impressed by his huge mansion... at least to me.

Its a 4 bed-room, 2 level bungalow, with new and modern facade, large garden area, double lock-up garage that looks like THIS

Its HUGE ! His lounge (aka living room) is the size of my current living room + dining room + kitchen ! I estimate its about 10 metre by 10 metres.

Told me it cost 2Mil.

Anyway, the Wii was really fun, and we worked up a bit of a sweat. I might really consider getting my very first game console...

Now for the Recovery.

Finally I am back in Singapore. From the lack of updates, I guess most people would've guessed that I made it to Perth.

Miracles do happen. On Monday afternoon, we received a call that someone has seen 2 empty seats on the midnight flight to Perth and very quickly booked 2 of us on the seats before its taken. (Thanks to the blessed soul who must have been constantly refreshing the computer screen.)

And the remaining 2 of our friends managed to get 2 allocations at the last minute on the midnight flight !

So we all made it to Perth, just in time for KOP's funeral.

I will leave out the personal details, but I will say that KOP should be happy with all the funeral arrangements that D and family has so patiently worked out.

He is in the place that he so gladly called home.

Came back on Friday night and Saturday morning was the service in Singapore. All went smoothly.

*~*~*~*~*

Thanks also to all online friends. Your words of encouragements have been seen by D and she is touched.

I think KOP would also want everyone to remember his voyage, his ordeals, and his words of wisdom. And finally, never give up on your dreams.

Updates...

A few close friends and myself have been camping at Changi Airport days and nights since Friday evening, desperately trying to get onto flights into Perth that were, since weeks ago, been fully booked.

And as we sit through our stand-by lists at the ticket counter flight after flight, it became more apparent that all flights into Australia were way overbooked. (In airline terms, overbooked = more people holding confirmed tickets than actual seats.)

For 3 times a day since Friday mid-night, we have been telling staff after staff, officer after officer, about us trying to get onto flights into Perth, to see KOP for the last time.

For the last 7 flights, we have not had any success, and everytime it seems the list is growing longer.

2 more flights to go in order to make it in time to his funeral. We are hoping to get at least some of us there.

It seems to be the best that we can do at such times, after exhausting all direct and indirect flights/trains/cars/helicopter/hot-air ballon routes. It is extremely tiring for us as we are no longer teenagers staying overnight at airport for fun. But we just have to it for KOP.

I am afraid I will not be at liberty to reveal too much personal information about him, as he has always wanted to keep his privacy and identity closely guarded, especially online.

For those who had personal contacts with him via the blogosphere, you will be one of the very rare few people he felt comfortable to meet up with, or to open up to.

I have to respect his wishes, and I have no choice but to remove ange bern's comment on my previous blog about when the service in Singapore will be.

No doubt, relatives and friends would already have been informed. I hope everyone else will respect KOP's wish to keep his cyber and real lives apart and clearly delineated, whatever you put about him on your blogs.

I would probably not know much about the details of his passing, except after meeting up with D and making sure she is alright. Talking to her about such things over the phone at this time seems very inappropriate.

In the mean time, all of you can keep him in your heart and remember him in your own ways. I am sure KOP will know about it, wherever he is.

KOP will always be remembered.

Bad News... and a Tribute to a Friend

Monday (17th July 2006), I received news in the afternoon that one of my very good friend, KOP, has passed away suddenly, in Australia.

His housemates has found him on Monday morning.

No news yet of any causes for now, as it is too soon for any conclusions, I guess.

His funeral will be in Perth on 25th July 2006. This is according to his wishes of remaining in Australia.

His family has gotten flights over, but a few of us close friends are still trying all means to secure tickets.

*~*~*~*~*

I was at a loss, total loss for a while.

All that came to my mind were flash backs of our crazy uni days in NTU, road trips in Malaysia, road trips in Australia, and days of getting drunk at home. Not forgetting our intellectual discussions on life, finances, philosophies, work and the world in general.

I started calling all of our mutual friends, those that I have numbers of. It was hard to repeat it over and over again. Each time I do that, it brings me new experience, new flash backs.

Here is a friend, who seemingly have nothing going smoothly his way while he was in Singapore. Experiencing retrenchments one after another (through no fault of his. Just too many mergers and acquisitions and down-sizing).

Here is a friend, who has the intelligence to see through almost every plot and every system there is, and able to find loopholes. However, his intelligence was not tuned towards academic results.

Here is a friend, who has similar thoughts and analysis of many things as I, but he has always managed to put thoughts into actions faster than I do. (And perhaps, like he always said, we have just found evidence in each other to reinforce our beliefs.)

Here is a friend, who has been a great inspiration to me, but I guess he never knew it, because I never actually told him so.

Here is a friend, who has overcome many many obstacles in his life, that I secretly envy his courage and strength, never sure whether I would be able to take the same kind of blows as he did.

Here is a friend, who finally got out of the crippling system and has tried his best to establish a new life for himself and D.

Here is a friend, who had to live 1 year alone without D, and seems to have put everything in place for D's arrival early next year.

Here is a friend, who finally seemed to be so much happier, so much more free time, so much more to look forward to, and so much more going his way.

Here is a friend, who introduced me to Babylon 5, Futurama, and having fun with flames in liquor bottles that we have just emptied, and other interesting things in life.

Now, just when I was about to tease him to fulfil one of our ancient never-got-around-it task - to pay money for someone to tell us that we are stupid (take the Mensa IQ test), I will never know what his score will be.

Now, just when his encouragement and taunts has removed my procrastination, I will no longer be able to fulfil my dream of living in Australia, together.

I have suddenly lost one of the rare few guiding lights that I have in my life.

Life doesn't seem to be very fair to him. He led a hard life, taking everything that life has thrown him. Worked his way to get what he wanted, and just when things are finally turning out for the better, he is no longer able to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

I really hope KOP managed to get a taste of absinthe as he so desired, one year ago. (See blog comments section)

I also hope that he has managed to find Kolo Mee in Perth (See blog comments section)

May his soul rest in peace.

Update of my friend who has gone to USA

Read this to remind yourself.

Just got an update that he is drafted to serve in the US Army. They will be shipping him to Iraq in a few weeks time.

Probably will be jacking up his pay and allowance.
Wow.

Just hope he will be back safe and sound.

What is "Kian" ?

Last night, was waiting for a couple of friends to arrive at a local Duck Rice stall for dinner. I was there first and waited for them.

I was hungry, so I ordered the food first. Duck meat, Toufu, Sambal KangKong, Egg but no Duck Spare-parts.

Then my friend SMS me for "Chicken Kian". Chicken Kian ? What the heck is a Chicken Kian ?
I looked back at the stall banner, and it says Duck Rice & Porridge.

So I messaged back : Chicken ? Are you going to the wrong stall ?

The reply : Sorry. Quack Quack Kian.

And I hesitated in ordering the duck Kian. My friend, R, went and ordered. The Kian arrived.
A few minutes later, my friends, H and P, also arrived. We ate.

I asked what is a Kian. No one could give me a definite answer. Guesses of kidney, liver, lungs, but still no conclusion. After eating it, I still didn't know what it was.

~*~*~*~*~

We finished our dinner and settled in a nearby cafe. Ordered cakes and drinks. After our food and drinks arrived, we are short of a spoon and 2 forks. So I went to the counter to get the missing crockery (no, they are not utensils, as most Singaporeans would have them.)

Me : Excuse me, can I have a spoon and 2 forks please ?

Lady : *stares at me, with mouth ajar* Huuuh ???!!!!

Me : Can I have a spooooon, and *rasies 2 fingers* 2 forrrrkk *fingers makes jabbing motion* ?

Lady : Oh. Ok.

She proceeds to get them for me.

From her stare at me, and her louder than normal "Huh" back at me, I figured she thought she heard me say some swear words at her. Or she thought I was trying to get fresh with her.

So much for speaking good English. I think next time, I will stick to the usual Singlish : "Can I have a spoon and 2 fox, please ?"

~*~*~*~*~

Soon, the conversation turned back to the unsettled Kian.

P : So, what was the Kian ah ? Nice right ?

R : Ee. I don't eat spare parts one. And he was still wondering whether to order or not.

Me : Of course lah ! I don't know what is that. Later don't have, kenna suan. So malu.

P : Huh. You also will be embarrassed one meh ?

H : Of course lah.

Me : Of course lah ! You think I so thick-skinned one meh ? First chicken Kian, then duck Kian. How I know whether duck got Kian or not ?

H : Hello. They are both ducks what...

Me : Huh ? Both are ducks ?

H : No no.. Both are fowls.

Me : Eh. Just because the are both fowls doesn't mean they have the same thing ok.

H : They have the same intestines and organs mah.

Me : Is it ?

H looks at me in a challenging manner. I think for about 20 seconds...

Me : Eh. Chicken have the *put palm vertically on head, fingers pointing up* but the duck don't have mah !

P : *shrieks* hahaha. You mean chicken that part.. the crown.. can eat one meh ?

H & R were laughing

Me : No lah. What I mean is, I don't know what Kian is mah. Maybe only chicken have, but duck don't have leh ? Or even if they have, maybe the duck one is not served as food leh. Like you eat chicken feet, but you don't eat duck feet mah.

H : But got goose webbed-feet being served what.

Me : But that is goose lah. Also, like got duck's tongue, but I don't see chicken's tongue being served. Chicken don't have tongue right ?

H, P and R all laughs loudly. I think the whole cafe is looking at us.

Me : Wait.. ok.. So chicken have tongue, but they are not served as food right ? So that is what I mean, just because duck may have Kian, doesn't mean they are served as food mah. I don't dare to ask wait kenna laughed at by people...

H, P and R continued laughing.

Me : Yeah what. You guys get my point, right ?

~*~*~*~*~

So I have made my point...I think...
And I have tasted the duck Kian, but I still have no idea what it is ...

Bet with a Friend - Conclusion

THE BET is finally concluded.

I have won a free McDonald's meal.. Muahahahaha.. *evil*

Ok lah.. won by technicalities of "timing" of the market. Another few weeks more, and I would have lost. But then, it is he who called the timing (though it was me who insisted on a timeline. Afterall, if we were to dabble in speculating stocks, timing and price limits are the keys.)

So moral of the story ? Do not try to time the market.
For those who can, all the best and wish you many many earnings.

Oh well, just my school of thoughts. May not be the best.

Bad News over the Weekend

One of my colleague suffered a mild stroke 2 days ago, paralyzing his left side. He was on business trip, and dropped by our USA branch office on the way back.

Now, he is in hospital, undergoing physio-therapy to regain the use of his left hand.

*~*~*~*~*

The dinner to meet up with my future in-laws didn't take place. My brother didn't say much. Just that they said something like "if no money then don't get married" kind of things.

We are still in the dark. My parents still waiting for him to come home to give details.

Bet with a Friend - Part 2

Halfway through the timeline of the bet.

Today, closing for Chartered is 1.12.
Well, another 0.12 increase anytime from now till 31st May 2005, my friend would have won.

I am keeping my fingers crossed...

Today, my friend Left for LA....

Today, my friend left for LA. He and his wife has finally decided to move to America.
I wished them all the best.

Damn Rich Americans....

Last night, I got to know of a friend, who might be migrating back to USA.

Let me give a little history, in case you are wondering why I said "migrating back".

His father is half-Thai, so I guess that makes him 1/4 Thai. His parents were US citizens.
They came to Singapore for holiday, when his mother was still pregnant with him. Little him realized that Singapore is a fine country, and decided to pop out way ahead of schedule.

Thus, that earned him his Singapore Citizenship. I realized also, last night, that his parent's have no choice but to accept that their son is a Singapore Citizen and has to fulfil his NS duties ; that or suffer the consequences of the whole family being banned from stepping into Singapore soil ever again. So he has come back to Singapore in time to serve is NS duties with the Home Team and has worked here ever since.

So here he is today, 27 years old, married for almost a year, staying in a brand new HDB flat in Punggol. He has applied to LAPD (not sure if it is indeed that PD) to be part of the homicidal detectives (and no, I do not mean detectives going around killing people). So he has to choose, within a month or so, whether to accept the offer.

He likes that job but is worried about his wife not willing to go over. He also has his house (less than 1 year) and his mother-in-law to worry about. But his pay will be able to let his wife not be working, yet still able to cover for the payments of his HDB, even if he can't sell it.

Yes, I asked and his offered package is US$150k per year.

To say I was surprised is an understatement. Now I know how prestigous an officer of the law is in the USA. I mean, granted their McDonald's meals and Krispy Kreme donuts are most probably 2.5 times what they cost here (with current currency exchange rate), their house and cars and land is going to be much cheaper.

He did mention that the price he is paying for his Punggol HDB flat, he is able to buy 2 houses (something that most Singaporeans can only dream of) in LA.

I mean, I am sure less than 10% of our Home Team earns more than S$150k !
And that is his starting pay ! He is still entitled to pension after 10 years - an amount that he doesn't wish to tell me, but says that it is "huge".


So did a check on LAPD Salary Scheme.
Assuming he has additional allowance based on language, and prior experiences in our Home Team, allowing him to go direct to a detective 3 or lieutenant, that is close to US$100k. Assuming he has "inflated" his package, putting in benefits and other allowances (hazard allowance, etc) to make the actual pay close to US$130k, which is also not far off.

Compare to our CNB pay and Singapore Home Team pay.

Even without currency conversion, it is pathetic.

Of course, we have to factor in the risk involved. Being an officer here is a sissy compared to a simple constable in LA.

But still...Damn Rich Americans... Damn... Even their police constable earns more than I do.. damn...

Bet with a Friend

Had a bet with a friend. And I am just documenting this.
Today, Chartered stock price is $1.07.

My friend's bet is, from now to 31st May 2004, Chartered stock price will reach $1.24.
The value of the bet is simply a McDonald's Extra Value Meal.

My bet is that it will NOT rise so much in that time.

Back from Malaysia

Oh Hello ! I am back safe and sound. Not to worry.
Ha ha ha. Not a single episode for the 8 hours I was in Malaysia.

I brought my grandmother, father and mother in. At the Tuas checkpoint, my father and grandmother needed the toilets. So I stopped after the customs, to let them go. This reminded me of a episode I had about 3 years back.

That was a weekend, went over to JB for dinner with a group of friends. 5 of us in a car. After the dinner, we were on the way back via Tuas checkpoint as well. Then some of us needed to use the toilet as well. So my friend asked the customers officer, where the toilet is.

Then, a civilian-dressed officer told us to park at a corner, and brought us to the toilet. My friends were happy chatting while I looked around. I did not notice any toilet signs. After about 50 meters, I noticed a sign that says "CNB ->". I thnk I was the only guy who noticed it.

After we were inside the office, we were told to go to the toilet. I was already very suspicious, while my friends were still chatting, until they see a uniformed officer in the toilet, giving out bottles.

Yes, urine test ! I am sure the officer must have been happy when we needed to go to the loo. 5 more "volunteers" to meet their daily random check quota ?

My friends were bitching at how can they do such a thing. And I will remember, try to not use their toilets while driving through official checkpoints.

Bad things happen when I am in Ubi...

First time I went down Ubi to meet friends for coffee and then dinner, I hit smack into the worst traffic in Singapore I have experienced - covered about 3km in 45 Minutes !

Yesterday morning, went there again and had extended coffee break with my friend. He picked me up, parked his car at his office, and we walked to the nearby coffeeshop for coffee.

When we are back sometime for lunch, intending to drive out, lo and behold :



Apparently, the security team is not a bunch of idles who simply take their pay and sleep the whole day. They have notice that my friend has been coming in every morning, park the car, and goes to the building opposite. (His boss should pay the bunch of security guards to keep track of his stuff who are "eating snake".. haha)

And yesterday, they must have noticed that he went over and did not come back, and thought that he is just trying to take advantage of the free parking. Thus the wheel clamp.

Took a good 20 minutes to convince them that he is working in the building, and to get the clamp removed.

Then we head out for lunch at SingPost Central building, and I had to use the street directory, even though he has been there for lunch many times... *knock head*