FYI: Whacky Definitions

Well... got this in email from my friend, kind of twisted definition but quite true...

Here it is:

School: A place where Papa pays and Son plays.
Life Insurance: A contract that keeps you poor all your life so that you can die Rich.
Nurse: A person who wakes u up to give you sleeping pills.
Marriage: It's an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and a woman gains her masters.
Tears: The hydraulic force by which masculine willpower is defeated by feminine waterpower.
Lecture: An art of transferring information from the notes of the Lecturer to the notes of the students without passing through 'the minds of either'
Conference: The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present.
Compromise: The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece.
Dictionary: A place where success comes before work.
Conference Room: A place where everybody talks, nobody listens and everybody disagrees later on.
Boss: Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.
Politician: One who shakes your hand before elections and your Confidence after.
Doctor: A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you by bills.
Classic: Books, which people praise, but do not read.
Smile: A curve that can set a lot of things straight.
Office: A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life.
Yawn: The only time some married men ever get to open their mouth.
Etc.: A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actually do.
Committee: Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.
Experience: The name men give to their mistakes.
Atom Bomb: An invention to end all inventions.

FYI: Some Jokes - Teacher & Kids

Got these jokes from my friend today, just want to share... quite funny.

Here it is:

TEACHER : Maria, go to the map and find North America ..
MARIA : Here it is.
TEACHER : Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
CLASS : Maria.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN : You told me to do it without using tables.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Glenn, how do you spell "crocodile?"
GLENN : K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L
TEACHER : No, that's wrong
GLENN : Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD : H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER : What are you talking about?
DONALD : Yesterday you said it's H to O.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE : Me!
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN : Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Millie, give me a sentence starting with "I."
MILLIE : I is...
TEACHER : No, Millie..... Always say, "I am."
MILLIE : All right... "I am the ninth letter of the alphabet."
-------------------------------
TEACHER : George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS : Because George still had the axe in his hand.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON : No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Clyde , your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, teacher, it's the same dog.
-------------------------------
TEACHER : Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD : A teacher

Life: My Old Days Reading

Like many people, I love reading. It is source of unlimited information and a way to keep me up-to-date and learn many things in my life. Different from many years ago, where computer and internet words not even born yet, nowadays most of things can be read in website and online publication.

My reading habits started with children magazine of my time. Then, I started reading newspaper as my father did. I did follow day-to-day news and quite knowledgeable of what happenings in the world.

Like other kids, I also like comics. But, I just read selectively, my favorites are Adventure of Tintin & Snowy (of course with Captain Haddock with his curses, genius but weird Professor Calculus, and the dumb & funny Thomson & Thompson), Smurf (with its funny sentences containing 'smurf'), Lucky Luck (he shoots faster than his shadow! and of course his funny horse Jolly Jumper), and Asterix & Obelix (with that nonsense drink that make them so powerful for a limited time). I only bought couple of them, the rest just borrow from friends... well, I came from simple family so not enough budget to buy things considered 'luxury' for me at that time. Wish I have such collection of those comics... it is still fun reading them.
I read in the news that Steven Spielberg is preparing to make a series of movies on Adventure of Tintin. Great... I'll watch it then.

For novel, I read Famous Five - story about 5 kids' exciting adventures - which is very popular that time, Agatha Christie's murder mistery novels (with its famous detective, Hercule Poirot - with his brilliant little grey-cells brain - who died in the last novel after he made himself a murderer to stop a smartest murderer), Sydney Sheldon's The Other Side of Midnight, and Alistair McLean's James-Bond-like adventure novel (e.g. Guns of Navarone, Nuclear in Carribean, etc.) where the lead character in his novel always experiencing die hard kind of experience. Most of the books, I borrowed from my school library.

I stop reading those books since high school, probably due to more and more study materials, especially during university time, and worse now because of internet and online publications. The only books that I read only computer related books that I borrowed from library. I didn't read novel anymore... would prefer watch them on TV, DVD, cinema, or online.

With virtually unlimited source of free information available online in internet, why should I bother buying a book or magazine or newspaper?

Korean Drama: Wedding

Different from typical Korean Drama which exploits fate and destiny, too much and perfect co-incidence, ill one side love, ill characters, intrigues, dirty tricks, cinderella-kind-of-story, and so on, "Wedding" offers a down-to-earth, real and simple story about two persons who met, attracted to each other, then decided to get married, experiencing jealousy, hurts, arguing, just believe in own thinking, perception and point-of-view, selfishness, and secrets.

Nice thing about this drama, it has no ill character (if any, non-intentional), just act as per normal and really depends of the nice storyline, good and meaningful conversations, plus beautiful poem quotes. It really look like J-Drama that I used to watch, rely on strong, interesting, and meaningful conversations plus characters conflicts & interactions. I like this kind of drama because I can compare, reflect, and even learn something from it.

The lead actor/actress, Ryu Shi Won and Jang Nara, fits nicely into the leading role characters. Good choice though.

As usual it has nice theme song, and unusually, it quotes a beautiful poem (I still searching from which book it was quoted and who was the writer, please do let me know if you have information about it...).

Here it is: (as quoted from the drama subtitle)

When the sunlight touches the ground, I miss you
When the shadow of the moonlight slowly climbs up, I miss you
When the dust finally settles down, I'd see you
Meeting in the deep night, I still can see your shadow

When the waves crash, I hear your voice
As everyone falls asleep in the midst of quite forest, I hear your voice
No matter how far, I'd be by your side
You'd be by my side, When the sun sets and the stars shines

Ah... If only you're by my side

Music: Free Online Music (Grooveshark Lite)

While writing my previous blog today, I am quite curious to look for free online music website that has the song (Empty Pages by Air Supply). I've been searching it in Imeem.com previously but no success. And, accidentally found this website: Grooveshark Lite (http://listen.grooveshark.com) which also provide free music online and has quite huge songs collection, most of them English songs. But, it's still great since it is completely free and the interface is quite neat and nice. Just register, search the songs, put it in your playlist or queue, and there you are... relax and listen to your favorite songs.

Compare to Imeem.com, this Gooveshark.com has different business model. Reading from its main homepage (http://www.grooveshark.com), it works as peer-to-peer program and has interesting business model where for each song downloaded, Grooveshark shares a portion of the cost of the song with the user who uploaded the song, and off course the label (or artist). So, it is a legal business model.

Music: Empty Pages by Air Supply

On my way to work this morning, suddenly I remember this song and it kept in my mind till I wrote this blog. Well, for Air Supply fans they sure know this song but not all of them like it. For me, it is one of early Air Supply songs that I like and I kept listen to it over and over again at that time because it is quite poetic. And, listen to it when you are alone was quite nice. The song titled "Empty Pages".

Honestly I don't really understand what was in the songwriter's mind when he write this song, but this sentence: "Empty pages I’ve read you all through...." must have given a deep feeling and I can feel it too.

Here is the lyric:

Empty Pages
(Graham Russell)

When you’re out in front and your life is unsure
What have you got goin’ for you after every road you turn
It’s magic when you tell me and run your fingers through my hair
I don’t need your persuasion, cos I’m already there
I’ve just read it through and I said to myself
That’s not really you, I’ll keep myself to myself
It’s magic when you tell me, and write the words I want to see
When I reach the last line, it’s just empty for me
I’ve been learning so long, about the things you do
I’ve been learning so long about you, about you

(chorus)
Empty pages I’ve read you all through
Empty pages filled with spaces I fell in and I fell in
Empty pages I’ve read you all through
Empty pages filled with spaces I fell in and I fell in

Hmm.... curious and want to hear this song? Listen it here

FYI: Baby Humpback Whale - Euthanized

Picture taken from: dailymail.co.uk
It such a sad and heartbreaking picture to see that this orphanage three-week-old baby humpback whale (named 'Colin'), after a week found separated from its mother, had to be euthanized by Australian Officials and then loaded to a truck like a garbage.

It might be a very difficult decision to put down the baby whale, which normally can't survive without its mother. But the question is: Is it really no way to keep it alive with human's existing technology and knowledge? Or, Isn't is possible to let it die naturally without need to 'murder' it?

Sports: Rafael Nadal - Olympic Gold and World No.1

Probably no other man happier than Rafael Nadal today. He grabbed Olympic Gold yesterday, in a relatively 'easy' game against Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 7-6 6-3, and claim World No.1 today dethroned Roger Federer who is losing this magic touch this year.

But the real final was not yesterday, it is the day before when he beat World No.3 Novak Jokovic, the other potential candidate for No.1 if he can perform consistently. Now, Jokovic will have mountain to climb because at most of time, he has to face Federer before he can reach final in any tournament.

It's a perfect achievement as a tennis player and worth of his consistent performance and, the most important, his patience. He wait patiently for 4 years as World No.2 player and constantly improve his performance in other courts than clay. It's all about timing.

Bravo and congratulation Rafael Nadal!

FYI: Bulletproof Bras

Source: Today Online, 9-Aug-2006 page 26

FYI: Olympic 2008 Opening Ceremony Show Off

Picture was taken from Today Online, 9-Aug-2008
If this Beijing Olympic 2008 Opening Ceremony was meant for show off, then it really served the purpose. It is indeed a spectacular display of colosal dancing, music, and fireworks mastermind by Zhang Yimou, the famous director of movies like Hero and House Of Flying Dagger.

I really enjoy watching it and quite amaze especially with the 'Giant Steps' fireworks, a series of fireworks looks like a giant footstep in the Beijing city towards the Bird's Nest stadium... it was such a very well organized and the timing of the fireworks blast off was so perfect. The bird view of this giant step show made it even more spectacular. Bravo!

Not sure how much China Government spent for this Olympic Opening Ceremony - must be a huge amount - but it was worth of money. And, regardless whatever controversy prior to this big sport party event, having all people around the world whether they are athletes who participates directly in the games or supporters watch it in front of their television, it is a showcase of 'Unity in Sportivity & Peace'.

FYI: Siberian Tiger Cub - Antares

Source: National Geographic on Animal Photos Weekly.
You can see its cute video here

Life: Internet & I

Internet, like some other people, already part of my life and can't be separated from it anymore now. I still remember the early days of internet with dial-up modem speed of 14.4K, 28.8K and 56K (max)... with its typical sound while connecting, and the pain of being disconnected at anytime while surfing using the now-extinct-Netscape. Now, in broadband era, surfing speed is amazing and it keeps growing...

It always be my dream to be able to surf internet anywhere with acceptable speed and affordable price. It's only after 5 years living in Singapore, the launch of Wireless@SG fulfilled part of my dream... and it's free! But, it's only available at certain places only. WiMax gave some hopes but it still not commercially available till today. GPRS gave a slow and expensive mobile internet experience using PDA phone... then, came 3G with faster internet... and now 3.5G (HSDPA) with even faster speed.

It was M1 who is the first offering mobile internet... it immediately catched my attention. Quite keen to subscribe, but in the end, I decided not because I still think it is not the right time yet... the speed still not acceptable for me... need to wait until this new technology stable. Besides that, I am StarHub subscriber so it just a matter of time that StarHub will offer the similar service. So, when StarHub launch its MaxMobile subscription, my waiting is over... When my MaxOnline contract expired last month, I downgraded it to MaxOnline Express Plus (from MaxOnline Premium) which bundled with unlimited 1Mbps mobile broadband. It comes with Huawei E170 USB Stick and Data SIM Card (not free though, need to pay for it). The SIM Card (3G) can be used in any 3G Phone but can only be used for data, no voice call. Since I only have one 3G phone, no choice that I have to interchangeably the SIM Card... not conveniece but it's OK. Well, wish can upgrade to dual SIM Card Windows-based PDA phone (none in the market at the moment), or get another 3.5G phone free... ha ha ha ... dream on it!

Using my new LG KS20 - a slim, beautiful, and affordable Windows-based PDA Phone which support 3.5G - I start experiencing the convenience of internet browsing anywhere at last. But wait, not everywhere I can surf at 3.5G speed ("H" indicator)... most of the time still at 3G speed ("3G" indicator)... worst at GPRS speed ("G" indicator) in MRT!

Based on my early mobile internet experience, at 3.5G speed, video streaming runs quite smoothly with minimal disruption. Well... not sure whether it will be still same speed if later on more and more people starts using mobile broadband internet, since - in the end - all should share the limited bandwidth... sigh!

FYI: Cute Baby Polar Bear

Source: National Geographic on Bear Beginnings: New Life on the Ice

FYI: Nice Quilt, Mike

Source: bbc.co.uk website Daily in Pictures 24-Jul-2008

FYI: Don't Let Your Dog Drive!

Source: Today Online, 26-Jul-2008

FYI: Ngaben - One of Balinese Great Tradition

Source: bbc.co.uk website Week in Pictures 12-19 July 2008

Life: Me & Singapore

This month, I've been 7 years living in Singapore. That time, I decided to land my feet into Singapore soil after my previous company, a life insurance, was acquired by Prudential and I chose to leave the company under 'golden shakehand' scheme then took couple of months break... Well, Singapore was such a new experience and different both life and working environment than I used to.

But, it was not the first time I've been in Singapore.... it was back in 1993 when it was the first time I came to Singapore. At that time I came to install payroll program in one of Singapore company which had factory in Batam. The office was located at Bukit Timah Road near Kandang Kerbau Hospital and the building where at the ground floor there were car & motorbike showroom. I stayed in Hotel Asia @ Scott Road (now has been demolished)... and it was also the first time I step into Orchard Road which is just a walk distance away from the hotel.

Since then, I've been to Singapore several times... once together with my previous boss visiting one of telecom company to explore the possible of joint venture and then twice accompanied my mother seek treatment and had surgery in Mt Elizabeth and Gleneagles Hospital. Hmm... a bit coincidence that now I am working in healthcare company...
I still remember that during that time was the era of 'dot-net boom'... where I can see along the Orchard Road, some companies launched their new website and people so keen and curious to see. And also, that year was the launch of free 'TODAY' newspaper, if I was not wrong, because I still remember that I can get that free newspaper distributed in front of Orchard MRT station...

And, it was in the early years of me in Singapore, the 911 attack took place (Channel News Asia provided 24 hours live coverage), saw the twin tower collapsing, the rise of terrorism, and the worse... the second round of asia economic crisis... and at least I've been experiencing the property cycle... the property crash following the asia economic crisis and then its boom last year.

Well... now I am looking forward to live for many more years here in Singapore.

FYI: Beautiful Place - Gonna Go There Someday

Source: National Geographic on 8 Natural Wonders Added to UN Heritage List

FYI: Unicorn Fish

Source: National Geographic on Unicorn Fish

Sports: Rafael Nadal - Wimbledon Title Dream Comes True

After 3 consecutive years reach Wimbledon final and meet the same opponent, Rafael Nadal finally grab his first Wimbledon title and ends Roger Federer's dominant in grass court.

In a tiring and longest 5 set match in Wimbledon history, interupted 3 times by rain, Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7.

After Rafael Nadal's convincing first 2 sets, Roger Federer fought back in an incredible way in the next 2 sets with his thunder serves and brilliant strike. He escaped couple of Nadal's championship points and look like the last year drama will repeat again. But hard-fought Rafael Nadal finally be able to break Federer's serve when the final set score is at 7-7 to make it 8-7 in his favor and serve for championship. With no more mistake, he be able to get the crucial points and bring home the Wimbledon title and trophy. Surely he can bit the trophy as often as he wants (see the picture)... he he he.

It such an incredible and entertaining games by the two top tennis players. It worth of watching it till early in the morning.

Congratulation and bravo Rafael Nadal!! And yes... my wife is very happy that her favorite player wins, especially if it is against Roger Federer!!

KSImage: Bird with My Favorite Color's Feather

I took this picture during one of my visit to Jurong Bird Park. I am not sure what kind of bird is this but its feather color is very nice... one of my favorite color. Furthermore, its feather color match the color of the rocks.
(c) KSImage

Life: My Photo Image Gallery Blog

I posted quite numbers of my photo image pictures in the beginning of this blog and don't do that anymore since then but I still have quite number of pictures to share, so I decided to create another blog just to dedicate it to all pictures I have taken since I owned digital cameras. Only selected pictures will be posted in this blog.

If you interested to see my photo image collections, visit this blog: http://ksimage.blogspot.com

Well, there will be no 'Me' in the pictures. It will only consists picture of objects. I don't like be in picture because I will not look good in it, not photogenic... looks even uglier...

Hope you will enjoy it...

FYI: Twin Red Pandas (Tai & Pip)

Source: bbc.co.uk website Daily in Pictures 19-Jun-2008

FYI: Young Snow Leopard Cub in Zurich Zoo (Indeever)

Source: bbc.co.uk website Daily in pictures 20-Jun-2008

Sports: Rafael Nadal - Definitely King of Clay Court

After convincingly winning his 4th Grand Slam title, all in French Open and clay court, Rafael Nadal - World No.2 in ATP Tour ranking - is definitely King of Clay Court. He crushed Roger Federer (currently World No.1) 6-1 6-3 6-0 in an almost perfect performance. Roger Federer still can't find way to beat Rafael Nadal, even after employed clay-specialist coach, and now have been beaten in 8 of 9 matches between them on clay. Only this French Open title still keep Roger Federer out of a perfect tennis career.

Rafael Nadal is a very kind and humble guy - never see him loose temper during the match - and also a very hard working and tough player, never give up until last point and always be able to make incredible comeback when left behind quite far in scoring... patiently collect point-by-point to win the set. 

Rafael Nadal's trademark is biting every trophy he won, see the picture!

He still have quite long way to overtake Roger Federer, who still shows the best of him in most of the tournaments he participate. He needs to prove himself in other surface and the next challenge is Wimbledon which he almost win last year after exhausted 5 sets match with Roger Federer. Still he has to keep his pace and not let Novak Djokovic (World No.3) pass him. Fortunately he still be able to hold Djokovic after 2 wins, both in semifinal, in clay court this year.

My wife is Rafael Nadal's big fan and can't miss any of his match!

Sports: Ana Ivanovic - She is No.1 now

After the retirement of former No.1, Justine Henin, the defeat of Maria Sharapova in 4th round, important match with Jelena Jankovic in semifinal, Ana Ivanovic wins French Open to capture her first grand slam title - after failed in two previous grand slam finals last year French Open and this year Australian Open - and subsequently for certain she will become the world women tennis No.1.

Ana Ivanovic convincingly beats Dinara Safina in the final 6-4 6-3. Credit to much improve and stunning performance of Dinara Safina for her way to the final by beating Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva, and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

So, my prediction in my previous article about Ana Ivanovic in no nonsense and turn to reality in only two-and-half months! And, with her young 20-years old age, she has very bright future ahead.

Congratulation Ana Ivanovic... go and get the rest of the grand slam titles!!

Freeware: GMail Drive Shell Extension

If you are looking for free online storage, consider GMail Drive shell extension. By using this useful utility, you will be able to make use the generous GMail storage size (6.7GB, as of this article written) to keep any file sizes not more than max. GMail attachment size (currently 20MB).

GMail Drive creates a virtual filesystem on top of your Google Gmail account and enables you to save and retrieve files stored on your GMail account directly from inside Windows Explorer. GMail Drive literally adds a new drive to your computer under the My Computer folder, where you can create new folders, copy and drag'n'drop files to. So, it will very convenience to use because you already familiar with Windows Explorer and its functionality.

For detail you can visit this website and download the setup file and install it when you think it is useful for you.

FYI: Little Clawed Otters (cute)

Source: mypaper online, 3-Jun-2008

Life: Memory of Living in Choa Chu Kang

I went to Choa Chu Kang's Lot 1 Shoppers' Mall last week with one objective... having lunch in my favorite Japanese food stall there where I haven't been there quite long already, but only to face disappointment. Lot 1 Shoppers' Mall is under renovation and expansion including the basement Food Junction (it moves to 4th floor) and as result, some of the food stall were closed including my favorite food stall, Sumo Japanese Cuisine. It is special for me because it is where I started my appetite on the Japanese sushi & sashimi, especially the raw salmon... so sweet & tasty (even bears like salmon!). Since I am quite particular on food, I order almost the same meal each time I ate there, so they will know automatically what I am going to order... So sad that it is no more there, probably it has been closed quite sometime already... because can't compete with those established Japanese restaurant chains and rising rental. The front stall which sell my favorite bubble tea, nasi lemak, and fried banana, also has not been there anymore...

Five years ago, I live in Choa Chu Kang area, Northvale condo specifically for three years... it was my first time living in condominium in Singapore, thanks to the affordable rental cost at that time due to property downturn. The condo is very near to MRT station, bus station, and mall. So, I enjoy living there so much. Since the mall is just across the street, I can go there anytime to eat, window shopping, watch movie, and visit library.

Well... like people always says, the consistent thing in this world is change, so there it goes. I am not sure whether I will still go to Choa Chu Kang since I have lost the 'link'.

Japanese Drama: Takako Matsu

Takako Matsu is absolutely my favourite Japanese actress. She is very cute... just look at the picture and you will agree with me.

First time I watch Takako Matsu is in Love Generation where she plays an interesting role as a girl who just being dumped when she meet her unexpected true love, played by Takuya Kimura. Takako Matsu and Takuya Kimura forms a perfect pair in that drama. And, the partnership continue to the Hero, another interesting drama.

I just finished watch her latest drama, Yakusha Damashii (a.k.a At the Soul of an Actor), a very touching story about relationship of an orphan lady who get used to live alone, an old and selfish theatre actor who also live alone in his older days, and two little children who abandoned by their mother. A bit plain story in the beginning episodes but getting more interesting along the way, especially when the interactive between characters start take place. In my view, she acted very well in this drama.

She is also has singing career, but I haven't found any song of her that I favourite so far... well I will keep searching. But honestly, I love to see her in drama as actress rather than her as a singer, so I am looking forward to her next drama.