It had been very long time since my last entry. Therefore would like to make a conceited effort by blogging my last entry for the year and also for my old and new friends to know about me.
Warning this might be a long thread full of words.
Today marks the last day of 2011. This had been a very memorable year for me lots of work, fun and pain. 11th Nov is my birthday, so this birthday was particularly meaningful. 11-11-11 and also did many activities for the 1st time.
Alot of people might think my 1st achievements/activities are not significant, but they meant alot to me.
Major Achievements
1. My sister's graduation from University of London(UOL,Bachelor in Economics and Finance).
To study is difficult, to study when you are visually handicapped was more difficult, its even worse when you under the UOL. Most of my friends and cousins under UOL mentioned it was tough. 3 years was neither long nor short, but it was tough as my sis always lamented how hard study/assignment/exams were.
From my sister's opinion why is UOL difficult:
i) Heavy emphasis on syllabus
ii)Pure exams based, no projects, so tons of hardwork memorizing. Despite her handicapped , somehow she was given the gift of photographic memory.
iii)Exams questions are set based by staff in UK, London and the questions rarely repeat, thus studying past year papers not going to help much.
Nevertheless being more academically inclined, excelling in studies since young, my sister is always the role model for all and we are proud of her.
2. My graduation from SIM-University(UniSIM Bachelor in Infocommunications Technology).
It was also tough 2.5 years for me, having to juggle, work, family, study and friends. Burning some Friday evenings and Saturdays for some modules, some friends got classes even on Sunday evenings, thus I'm not too bad.
I still remembered vividly, when registering for the programme, telling myself this is not like secondary or poly where i can still play around. I need to tune my mindset to focus on my studies, set my determination and work hard. Nevertheless graduated satisfied with my hardwork.
I remembered doing a suicidal move by taking 27/30 credit units, this comprised of 6 modules in my first semester. Better than to suffer now than later !
In my previous job, where i had to travel quite frequently, I also brought my assignment overseas, working lonely in the hotel skipping dinner to save my meager overseas allowances.
Guys who envy me working overseas, a word of advice that traveling and working alone is emotional stressful.
i) No more rushing to Clementi MRT after work.
ii)No more attending boring class where key focus is during last hour.
iii) No more waiting for only bus 154 to Paya Lebar MRT
iv) No more having to wait the damn slow bus 70 at Paya Lebar MRT
v) No more dinners at 1130pm. (Last meal was lunch around 130pm)
I would like to thank my best friend Kai whom we suffered, endured, fought and finally graduated from the programme, 2.5ys was not easy.
Also congratulations to my other friends who also graduated this year. Kiat Loon, Wei Qiang, Hsien Joo who also gotten married this year with lovely wife April.
3. Upon graduation, the next thing to do is to take family photo in our graduation gown. Though i always take alot of photos of my friends, there are hardly any pictures of me and even less of our family. This is very meaningful to me though sister and I did not graduated from creme de la Universities, it is a tribute to my loving mother who dedicated, struggled and suffered so many years to ensure that her kids grow up well and healthy in our family.
It had been more than 10years since my father passed away, that was also how long she suffered, struggled, and mustered the strength to keep the family. I cannot repay with grandchildren yet(also dunno when ;p), so that picture will give you assurance and strength when you are weak.
4. Yes finally got my first credit card. (To some people no big deal, they immediately qualify on their first job). I applied solely based on my basic pay without factoring X months of bonuses and am proud of my hardwork. My next goal is to have an income where I cannot apply HDB. Still wondering why Citibank rejected me the $500 credit card when I was working and they approved the applications for my friends who are still schooling full-time.
Minor achievements not in any order.
5. First time attending my best buddy Jimmy and Jasmine's solemnization and getting involved with the preparation. Stressful yet fun. Congratulations to your marriage, looking forward to your customary wedding next year. Where for the first time I will be a real brother. Ya the guy having to wake up early, accompany the groom to fetch his wife, during which we need to suffer eating wasabi, chili ...
6. Picked up scuba diving.
Well in 2010 during my holiday in Bali i had first taste of scary yet exciting experience of diving for 15mins, it was a risk. After then i fell in love diving, enjoying the view and living a world on its own. Eventually Leroy mustered a few of us to pickup diving under the coach who was his supervisor. Though there was slip shod, finally one Friday evening we were on a 4-5h coach ride to Mersing, Malaysia and another close to 2h boat ride to Pulau Tioman. Luckily i do not have motion or sea sickness else the journey would be terrible. 3d2n and 5 dives, am now qualified to solo diving of up to 20m. May pursue further certification, but mind you scuba diving is an expensive sports and gears are expensive. A casual trip without rental of gears costs you SGD$500 onwards.
7. With the lack of soccer sessions, lost of interesting in cycling(yes lazy to send them for repairs) and single, I had a crazy idea of picking up Muay Thai(Thai Boxing). Initial purpose was to keep fit and have fun, thus managed to find a gym near my home. Classes were held in the evenings with free rental of gears. In the beginning was fun, slowly building the fitness and mentality, after 3 courses, 2x basic classes, 1 intermediate class, own set of gears and spending close to $1000, i decided to call it quits. Nevertheless I loved those sessions , felt good sweating out punching bags and your opponents, sparred with girls too. Some are really aggressive.
8. After few year hiatus of playing field soccer, no idea where it originated but we had a crazy idea to make a new set of jersey for our team and started organizing matches. The prior Muay Thai sessions really beefed my fitness and stamina. Usually i would in the team of reserves, but once I was called upon and opportunity and changed the tide of the game.
I scored my first ever field goal !!! Everyone knows how tiring is to play field soccer to be able to score a goal was an enormous event in my soccer playing years. Till now I had 3 goals, jokingly more than our strikers. Looking forward to next game, but i doubt fitness is there as no longer attending Muay Thai.
9. First time did not apply leave during my birthday. Normally I would apply leave on my birthday to escape work. But hey why different this year? I had such camaraderie working with my colleagues why evade. Coincidentally that day was also day when company celebrated birthday of staff born that month. So to say the whole company celebrated for me.
10. First time attending those high profile events. Our Chairman's daughter post wedding night at Marina Bay Sands. An eye opener to see the whos whos networking in event. Coupled at the event, was highlights of the customary wedding in India, a fashion show, product launch and charity show where our Chairman donated a huge sum of money to president's star charity. The recipient was our now ex-president Mr S.R. Nathan. This was the first time i saw him just 20m away from me. Dinner was also an experience for me Indian vegetarian. But we know what is our true purpose there.
11. Completed eating all the famous Lor Mee stalls in SG.
12. Organizing a surprise dinner for my mum's birthday with my relatives.
13. This was also the year of kite flying, no idea why the sudden craze.
A basic kite starts from $20 depending on the size but can go up to few hundreds with endless amount of modification. Like strips of LEDs lights which look stunning at night. Joined my friends for few session of kite flying. The joy is releasing the kite and seeing soar.
The agony is reeling the kite back especially if its like 100m away, my hand hurts.
14. First time going Hongkong and Macau.
HK dramas had been part and parcel of my life. Thus it was also my goal to visit this place. Dream came true after I decided to give myself a reward after my last papers. Unable to accommodate to everyone date, we managed to fly on August which was also summer in Hongkong. I tell you its hotter than SG.
I was tasked to plan the itinerary for this trip, mind you this was my first trip. Our main emphasis was sightseeing, food and shopping. First time taking Tiger airways at the budget terminal. Oh my budget terminal is damn budget. First day we reached Macau and checked into the the extravagance and opulence The Venetian. For such luxury the suites starts from $SGD300/night onwards.
St Paul Ruins, local snacks, gondola rides and casinos.
Lantau island, Lan Kwai Fang, The Peak, Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Disneyland and dazzling array of signature food. However the trip did not go as I expected.
But Hongkong is not a place where I will settle. Too stressful.
15. First time being a surety.
16. First time roped in to assist in wedding proposal.
Congratulations to the lovely couple Zhi Hao and Charlene. Your touching move had made everyone teared , me nearly.
17. Participated in the planning of the customary wedding. Now has abit of experience.
18. This was the year I had the most wedding invitations. Attended the wedding of 2 of my close friends. Jia Ming and Cindy. Hsien Joo and Cindy. Heartiest congratulations to them in starting the new chapter of their life together forever. Also to Han Keong and Serene, sorry could not attend your wedding.
19. Expanded my cuisine experiences.
French: Foie Gra, Duck Confit, Escargots
Spanish: Pallea (My favourite)
Italian: Parma ham (My favourite)
I want to try Mexican, Middle Eastern, South American food next year.
...
Will continue if I can still remember
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