My Brand New Camera

Yes I have finally got my own camera!! Lumix Fx3..with 2 1GB sd card and extra battery thrown in!

So why not the new model? Cos i realise that i should not waste excessive money when all i need is a basic camera. 6mp is fine enough for me. I don't need extra features so why not save that $200 and spend it on some other things.

So happy!! Got my camera, and my oakley sunglasses will arrive in Nov. Oh and I got a brand new bikini for the diving trip.

Next up i want to get Nokia 6280.

Oh man, I am so BROKE!!

Hmm, anyone wana get this handphone for me as a birthday gift???

I shall start packing for my Phuket diving trip..So looking forward to it. Take off on Friday 27 Oct.

Platonic Friendship??

Is it possible for a guy and a girl to be best of friends?

WHY NOT??

"Brand New Friends" talked about this subject and it's rather interesting.

I have a few guy friends, and we are good friends. We are on good talking terms and can talk about alot of things. Two of them are on a rather close terms. One of them is already married (and i met him when he was attached), the other still single and we're not an item (never was, though we were constantly the subject of the papparazzi's eyes).

I know alot of people will say, no way, there is no way pure platonic relationship is going to survive, but i'm living proof that it has and it will! In fact, I like talking about things with my guy friends cos sometimes they understand it better than the girls. And, the thing is, if they were friends with the opposite sex before they got into a relationship, it's not as bad as if they got to know that person after they get into a relationship. Why such discrimination???

I don't understand why people want to stop their partners from being friends with the opposite sex..it's not fair to control people's preference..Go ahead! I won't stop my man from being best of friends with a lady. I mean TRUST is important in a relationship so if u don't even trust ur partner, what's there left? Well, if they just happen to fall in love with the other party, I will be sad but that just means u'r less important to them. Why hang on?

Yes, I am different. My friends always say i'm UNIQUE (yes, unique not weird). I like it that way. I'm not the typical damsel-in-distress (actually i'm not and never will be). I'm not a romantic (i'm practical) and can never know the true meaning of being romantic. I'm not the usual clingy and touchy kinda girlfriend (i'm quite independent and opinionated. I DO NOT need my man to meet up everyday, i mean i still need to live my life and it's not dependent on my partner. I need to spend some alone time to just stone at home). And i'm not high on the intimacy quotient..sometimes i feel like i'm commitment-phobic..maybe it's just who I am. I am BO CHUP (nonchalant)Yes I'm UNIQUE but I'm a traditionalist as well - no Sex before marriage, i want my future husband to be the major breadwinner (i'm still going to work but just like the comfort of knowing i'll be supported comfortably even if i do not have to) everything waits till after marriage etc...Accept it that way!! Ha this is getting a little too personal so i shall stop here.

Well, like i say..I'm UNIQUE and i like it.

My 1st Personalised Pen

Surprise surprise on a blue blue Monday. Sufferinng from insomnia the night before, I zombied into the office not feeling myself. Seeing everyone hurrying past me. As usual, I walked to my dear old pigeonhole and wala! There it is. A carefully wrapped box with a card.

Carefully tearing open the wrapper, I found a box n in it -- A personalised Parker Pen!! Yes, with my name engraved on it! English name of course. Wow, I was so touched!! At least it brightened up my day, made me feel less zombie-like.

Courtesy to our dear old TBC, million thanks. Yes he will be our soon-to-be ex colleague. This is his farewell gift to his closer gang, and I'm so damn honoured to be considered within that gang.

Ok, the picture did not turn out well enough but yeah that's my name on it..

Argh..so touched. Can't bear to use it kekekeke...

The Departed

Watched "The Departed" yesterday night..The remark version of the original HongKong movie "Infernal Affairs" ("IA"). Truth be told, original is always the better one. Yes, I prefer "Infernal Affairs". Not just the way the story is unfold, but the characters potrayal and development. (Infernal Affairs poster is nicer too :P)

Hollywood version - Loud, violent and outlandish.
HongKong version - Subtle, silent and emotional.

Take the lead character - The Police mole (Leonardo's character). Played by the reputed Tony Leung Chui Wai, his was a very subtle and emotionally challenged mole in the secret society ("SS"). His struggle with his identity was potrayed not so much through physical actions or hystericals, like what Leo did. His was more heart-felt and identifiable. Yes I prefer Tony's potrayal.

Also, "The Departed" did not develop the intricacies of the characters entanglement, which "Infernal Affairs" did to a rather wonderful effect. The mentor-mole relationship between the head of police and the mole was well-developed in "IA" but was nowhere to be found in "The Departed". It made the death of the police officer much more heartening.

The rooftop scene. Not much developed or shown in "The Departed" but is a highlight of "IA". The tension between the two, just watching the two actors fight it out was great. (FYI, Andy Lau was the SS mole). "The Departed" quickly ran past that scene...while "IA" delved into it further, explaining the contradictions in the moles' minds.

我是警察。我也是警察。

Those were the words spoken by the Tony and Andy respectively (the police mole, and the SS mole). It was THE phrase at that time.

I felt really sad and down when Tony was killed, but I did not really feel that bad about Leo's death. Well, original is always the best, hard to beat. But then again, IA had 3 episodes to unfold the whole story and with its haunting theme song.....But "The Departed" isn't that bad. It is still an 'A' star movie of the year.

FYI, I wasnt and still is not a BIG fan of the movie, albeit the appearance of my favourite idol Leon Lai in the last installment of the trilogy.

Tuesdays With Morrie

What will you do when u face death? Cry and complain about why ur life turns out to be like that? Go around looking so damn sad n depressed? Isn't death a part of life? Death is as natural as life. It's part of the deal we made.

"Death ends a life, not a relationship" Well said by Professor Morrie. "Tuesdays with Morrie" is a really life-inspiring book and keeps people thinking about the possibilities.

Do we want to live our last days frowning and complaining or do we want to enjoy our last days on earth, fulfilling our last dreams and helping others make their lives much better?

Often a times, we rush through our daily lives without stopping to think - Why are we doing this? We work to earn a living, to satisfy our material needs. But of course, we can't just stay at home and watch money fall from sky! But did we ever slow down our pace to look around us and think? Often times, it is only when we face death or iminent danger that we start to think 'What could have been?' or 'If only...'

Often times, we only treasure things when we lose them. So why not take things into ur own hands now? Instead of regretting, why not just approach someone to apologise now than wait till it's too late? Or tell someone how much they matter before you never have the chance? Why do people only pour out their sorrows when the person in point is gone? Like in funerals, why not tell the dead all those wonderful things before they pass away? It would have mattered much more to them at that point rather than talking to a dead corpse 'cos they would not be able to hear u! "living funerals" concept by Professor Morrie is a really good idea.

Just like now, a cancer patient has decided to share his last few days with the world. To share his last few moments with the world. Why do this, why show the world ur suffering? But to him, it is on a different level of meaning. He wants to teach the world that cancer is not the end of everything. Death is not the end of everything. He hopes to teach the world about cancer with the video. While alot of us shut ourselves out when we find out we have terminal illnesses, there is a group of people who face it proudly and openly. So why not learn from them.

Learn to forgive and forget. Hatred will only make us worse off. It takes so much more muscles to frown then to laugh, meaning you get more wrinkles if u frown. Learn to live a life.

I'm Suffocating!!

Damn weather..The pollution index has hit 145 (as of 7 Oct 9pm). Crazy! I need fresh air!

Stupid weather makes running outdoor an impossible task, unless u want to end up flat on the ground gasping for air.

At least I can get away from cigarette smoke..This haze is unavoidable! Stop the stupid forest fire in Indonesia! I want my fresh air back!!

Oktoberfest 2006

A night of beer, food and dance finally arrived on 6 Oct 2006 Friday night. All dolled up for the event..I know, I'm not a beer-fanatic I dun club as well..But it should be fun..And it was rather interesting!

We were promised free flow of beer but turned out we only managed to get 2 glasses when we reached at 7+ and by about 8+ the free flow of beer ran out. So we had to fork out money to purchase beer. Yes, what the F*** cheated of our money, all $18 of it. Food nothing fantastic, the usual suspect of german food like german sausages and pork knuckles which I do not eat (vegetarian here)

The foreign exchange students, especially the germans, were CRAZY!! and DRUNK.

Case in point, the balloon man, who went around collecting balloons and tying them around his neck. And our dear Junjie went to cosy up with him!! Yes he was a little crazy cos they had an intimate act!

Music was great! But they LOVE their national anthemn & played it after every song!! And lots of cute foreign exchange students in sight!! After that, it was a night of dancing and drinking..Yes I had 3 beers! And i did not get drunk! An achievement for someone who doesnt drink beer...

Tuban wearing germans partying around drunk

Professional Taxi Driver...Speed Car Racer in Disguise

As usual working past 10pm on a Thurday night..Waited 15-20 minutes before we got a cab..A silvercab! In drove a rather posh silver cab (literally silver). Really comfy seats, n nice experience in the car (highly recommended..better than Mercedes) But that's where the good thing stops.

Up on the highway, the perennial speed car racer side of the taxi uncle emerged! 150km/hr!! On the expressway 90% of the time! Traffic was sparse at night, so it was the best time for him to speed race. Imagine 150km/hr and I was the front seater!! It was a rather terrifing experience. Even when we were outa the expressway, he was still going at about 120km/hr. It was the fastest taxi ride I had. Reached home in about 20min or less, and I was travelling from Raffles Place to Jurong. Best...

Anyway I have decided to get a digicam instead of sunglasses. Digicam is more useful and practical for me at the moment..So sunglasses can wait...

Lumix Fx07 - Black

Nice right! 7.2megapixel for about $640 and it has a wide LCD screen. Plus lotsa freebies thrown in! Last I heard 1 1GB and 1 512MB sd card, extra battery, tripod...Shall wait till IT show in Nov to get a better deal with the package. Yes, I shall aim for this and GET IT!!

First time blader..First time lucky

Yes, after much waiting and hesitation, I took my first step towards becoming a professional blader..or at least amateur one.

Went ECP (east coast park) with fren to learn bladding..Unfortch, the weather wasn't very kind to us. It rained cats and dogs just before we arrived, as such, the floor was rather slippery and watery. But at least it wasn't raining when we blade.

Started off at the beginner's area, slippery surface, so I slipped and fell the very first time I tried to stand up and walk. Yes, that's beginner for u..Common for all beginners. 1st try was HARD. Had to remember to keep slidding forward and not slide back, as we would normally do when we walk. It's a habit. As such, I kept slidding back and not forward. Had to keep reminding myself to lift up and slide forward. Tough act to follow but eventually I managed, sort of.

After about 1 hour, I managed to at least blade without the help of the poles, but unsteadily. At least an achievement. And yes, I fell on my bum several times. The moral of the lesson, to always keep ur body forward and not lean back, else u'll fall on ur bum!

Thanks to Daixing (yes i have to give her credit), I managed to blade on my own, albeit really short distance. But my pose was a little ugly..hunched forward with my hands outstretch, not pro-looking enough. And wobbly. And I tried blading on the roads, results weren't exactly fantastic, but admirable. Yes, of course fell down time and again, hurting my poor bum, but at least i sorta managed to blade a little.

Haiz, blading is not easy. Have to practice more often to be more confident.

Yes finally! After weeks of anticipation, the results of my 1st online shopping spree have arrived!! It was tough to arrange to meet my fren to collect the dresses but finally!! Ok, the bad news now -- Only 5 out of 10 dresses arrived. And out of the 5 dresses, only 2 are mine. Damn sad! The furnie thing is those dresses are not even out of stock. They were just not shipped!! Weird..But at least we will get refunded..We better get refunded. THe nicer dresses are not shipped over, so I'm rather sad now. Hmm, maybe I'll re-order those missing dresses 'cos I just cannot let go of them!

Hey gals, check out the website CCT Fashion. The dresss are pretty cool and KAWAII (aka cute). Yes they are CHEAP as well. Quality-wise, I would say, you get what you pay for. Not too bad, but pls dun expect Gucci or Prada standard ok. THe dresses cost $15-$20 each only. And they look similar to the pictures on the web. And they fit me ok..Happy.

The stupid company made mistakes so couldnt get my hands on all my dresses..so i shall order again! This time, I'm back with a Vengence! I plan to order at least 3 more dresses and 2 more blouses!! Hahaha...

Investing!!

Opened my 1st CPF investment account with UOB and invested with Prudential..3 different funds with average returns..

According to my advisor, I can be a millionaire by the age of 55!!if the average returns remain at 5%..wow..a millionaire!! Yes, age of 55 is a turn-off but at least I have a chance of becoming a millionaire! The word sounds so great--Millionaire hahahahahaha

The good thing about CPF investment--I don't have to monitor it 24/7! Just put the money in & let it grow...well, since I can't use the $ until I'm at least 55 or 62 years, might as well invest & make it grow! More retirement money so that I can retire comfortably..Migrate to another country even!!

Just started the running regime..Yes I still do not like running but you can't swim everyday...N running is quite shiok at times..A great cardio workout after all the perspiration..

2nd run in 2 weeks..7KM and I clocked 33minutes!! An improvement of about 6minutes..I shall train more often and shave more minutes off my timing..hopefully..Of course this is subject to availability of time taking into account my stupid work nature (audit FYI) which is well known for irregular hours and late nights...

Wakeboard Craze!

I'm in Love with Wakeboard...AGAIN!!

yES After 4 years, I have picked up wakeboarding again, and this time I'm back with a vengance - faster and better! Went with Daixing and Meei Ting (EY colleagues) in the afternoon for a 2-hour session with William, our instructor.

Yes that's me wakeboarding! It was so cool! Surfing left and right, left and right...

OOh, and I got to drive the boat for a while! Which was cool! Just like driving a car but on the water...

Everyone of us managed to stand and wakeboard for some time, of course I was on the water longest! Bravo to Ting Mei, for being able to stand up just after a few tries! I did not manage that when I first started out. Stupid daixing just kept falling on her 1st try that day, even though she's not a beginner and had been able to ride the other time. But luckily for her, she managed to regain her reputation and ride like a pro the 2nd time. Or else, she would have been a laughing stock among us!

I am so going to wakeboard again..Maybe next time I can try the jump!

Completed my 1st online shopping spree!!!

Never tried before, but the bait was too attractive to ignore! Really cool, cheap and nice dresses on sale for less than S$20 per piece!! My friend said that the source can be trusted..so I'm eagerly awaiting for the arrival of my trophies! 5 dresses in all for a total of S$88 (inclusive of delivery charges) Two of the 5 dresses I ordered...

Tomorrow WAKEBOARDING!! Shall aim to video tape and snap pictures of me wakeboarding, looking cool & FAB :)

Half wire - Oakley

Polarised Half Jacket - Oakley

I want to get a pair of sunglasses!! Torn between these 2 designs - Half wire or Half jacket...They both look so damn cool! S$240 retail price for Half Jacket, not sure about half wire but should be more ex..Anyone has better lobang for this?? Maybe I shall treat it as a gift to myself after the measy bonus was paid out...Or should I wait for my brother to go Australia and source out cheaper rates? maybe I shall wait..Not in a hurry anyway..Shall stick with black 'cos the other colours are just too striking (bright gold or pink) but then again, who knows what i'll do

Anyone wants to buy it as a birthday gift for me???

MayDay MayDay!!

Turbulent times...The Ship is SinkinG FASTTT...

More and more letters piling up on the AO's desks...More and more happy faces seen upon adding to the collection of letters..

On the Flip side, more uneasy feelings among those who play no part in the letter collection process..

MAYDAY MAYDAY!!

Avalanche of resignation letters...The Whole DepartMenT is CRUMBLING Everyone is LeaviNG..How sad..SeeinG everyone leave..But on the other hand, happY that they are saying "BYE" to the shithole, endless late nights and the "NO-Life" situation..My clique is dissolving and More will come my way!

此地不可久留

Must plan my exit soon...AUdit life is getting from bad to Worse..To Unbearable

Pray for the best...

Bleach Craze

Division: 6th

Height: 180cm Weight: 64kg

Birthday: January 31

Occupation: Shinigami *Captain*

My Fav character from Bleach!!He is so damn COOL and POWERFUL!! Love his Zanpaktu - Cherry Blossom...so cool!! And Extremely Good-Looking!!

Which Bleach Character are you??

You are Ichigo. all your friend look up to you, and you will stop at nothing to complete the goal that is set in front of you. sometimes you think too highly of yourself and dont realize what you have gotten yourself into until it is too late. Keep up the hard work and u'll have great friends till the end.

Take this quiz at

http://www.quizilla.com/users/SecretLives/quizzes/What%20Bleach%20character%20are%20you%3F%20%28Anime%29

Ok, not fair, cos they do not have Kuchiki Byakuya as one of the options...

Last day of getaway - Epilogue

Officially the last day of my 2 weeks getaway and it's back to Singapore..How sad. Well, all good things must come to an end.
Itinery for the day - Visit Ho Chin Minh Complex. Did not manage to see the preserved body of Ho Chin Minh as it was closed on Fridays. Oh well, I suppose it is the same as Lenin's body (which I visited in Russia) so just up to my imagination. FYI, it is open Tues - Fri and on weekends from 8-11am.
Ended up visiting Ho Chin Minh Museum, at least I got to see the statue o f HCM.

That is me with uncle Ho Chin Minh statue

Nice quote (note the grammatical errors). I want to live by this quote! The quote says "All The Peoples on Earth are equal. Each people has the right to life, happiness and liberty"

Could not see the body, but at least at a picture of the Mausoleum

That's my itinery for the day. Went for my last Vietnamese meal before I set off to the airport by the minibus, which costs US$2 per trip.

Another foolish incident happened. I checked out of my hostel without claiming my items in the safe! Yes, how foolish. I walked all the way (10 minutes walk) to the minibus station, boarded the bus, and 5 minutes into the journey, I realised I forgot my safe! All my identification cards, credit cards and important documents were inside! So I had to alight by the roadside, took the motorbike (for 10,000 VND) back to my hostel to claim my items. No time to catch the 2nd minibus as I would be late for my flight. Had to catch a taxi to the airport instead. Waste of money but oh well, I couldn't possibly leave my things behind!

Met two French guys on a holiday travelling back to Singapore before flying back to Paris - Benjamin and Jerome. They were two really fun people! Typical French - Loud. Haha. Really funny pair of guys, kept me entertained throughout the flight and the waiting time.

Flight back to Singapore was FULL. But it arrived on time, and I missed the last MRT. And it is HOme Sweet Home..

Exciting and interesting 2 weeks! I am so going to do it again! And I have gotten so much tanner (or darker as some would prefer to put it) Yes, even my indian client says I'm now darker than her!

For more pictures, please visit my online photo album at www.dianshan.shutterfly.com (the link is also provided on the left under "LINKS")

What's up next year? I have so many options in my mind

1) Germany (Or in general Europe, yet again)

2) South East Asia

3) Mongolia-China-(Maybe) South East Asia

4) Tibet

Pretty interesting places yar..Any interested parties?? This has got to take at least 1 month or even 2!

Till next time, Dian Shan OUT!!

Halong Bay trip

Early in the morning, set off for Halong Bay trip, which costs US$30 per pax. 3hrs bus ride to Halong City before we embarked on our boat trip to the Bay. Amazing scenery!

Met a Singaporean couple on the trip. The guy had been travelling for 3months (around China, Tibet, and SouthEast Asia) and he had quit his job before he started his journey. Met a Scotish guy - Steve, who had been travelling for 6 whole months! And he is going to continue his travels till the end of the year. WOW! Anyway, he is going to start his own business - A travel agency in Scotland. Next time when I go Scotland, I'll get free accomodation and tour! If anyone is going to Scotland, drop me a note. I can get him to bring you guys around or recommend places to go (probably at a discounted rate)

Went to visit the caves, stopped for a dip in the water and kayaking. The weather was really good, bright sun for the trip. We were so lucky! The day before, it was raining almost all day long! Sat on the top deck to await for the sunset. Real beautiful!

Just as the sun set, everyone decided to jump into the water! I did as well..after much hesitation. It was fun, almost like committing suicide, only not landing on ground. Swam our way towards the neighbouring boats and back. The water was a little cold and not very clean, but whatever! Overnight stay on the boat.

Did not manage to capture me jumping off the deck. This is me in the water after the jump

Swimming towards the neighbouring boat

Drama unfolded the next day. A lot of people were unhappy with the tour package as it was not as promised to them when they booked through some other agencies. Well the thing in Hanoi is, alot of the tour agencies promise more than what is to be offered. They sell the tours but they do not organise them. Another company does. So some of the people onboard were not happy that they did not go to places as promised. We were supposed to go to a floating market the 2nd day but did not as the boat captain refused the request. A huge argument followed with the boat captain and passengers shouting at each other. It was rather chaotic. The French guy spat on the money he used to pay the boat captain as he was really pissed off with the whole arrangement. The guide was the poorest thing in the whole saga. He had no control over the itinery. He was only following instructions from the company and also had to follow the boat captain's orders. In the end, a complain was lodged with the company and they agreed that they were in the wrong. Steve went to settle the complain and he got a refund of US$6! Damn it, I should have followed him. But overall the trip was alright. Beautiful scenery of the Bay. Word of advice, go for the more reputed agencies. Pay more and you get more and better service.

Surfed the night away. What to do, I love my Internet and MSN chatting. Last night in Hanoi and last night of my 2 weeks getaway :(

Hanoi

Early morning flight to Hanoi at 11.45am on Air Asia. Arrived in hanoi at 1.45pm and was greeted with pouring rain and dampened heart (due to the rain). Boarded the minibus which did not take off after 20minutes. Decided to take the cab with a French traveller, Steve, on the same minibus. Ended up checking into the same hostel. Hanoi Backpackers Hostel.

Went for a walk around Hanoi city. The beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake is just 5minutes walk from the hostel.

One thing to note in Hanoi -- Zebra crossings are UseLess!! The motorbikers are oblivious to the fact that zebra crossings are drawn on the road surface. It takes skills to cross the road. You have to avoid the cars and motorbikes (not the other way round) and do not hesitate to cross the road, else you will never get to the other side.

Hanoi has a sort of old quarter charm. Everything is not so modern, even the buildings are a little run-down. Very different from the noisy and bustling city of Bangkok. It gets a little boring after a day or two.

Walked to the bridges - Long bien and Chuong Duong Bridges that connect Hanoi with the other island. It was a REALLY LONG walk. I think it took at least 40 minutes, but I persevered on. The view there was AMAZING!

Paddyfields. View from the Long Bien Bridge

This is the Chuong Duong Bridge

Went shopping at the local wet market for my dinner. Spent S$2 for the grocery (just bought vegetables). The locals LOVE their French baguettes. These are sold everywhere on the streets.

The hostel is great, especially for its free internet service. Surfed my time away at night after dinner.