Unlucky

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Looking at the newspaper, PC Show 2009 broke new sales records.
Looking at how people are queuing up at restaurants, what economy crisis??
Gahman say economy bad, no bonus for civil servants but tax still must pay.
I must pay...... all S$800 of it!!! %$&#
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Last friday, I had dinner with "Top Achiever" and "Lau Hiau".
We were talking about what if lau hiau blogs, it will be funny.
And I went back and faster booked www.lauhiau.blogspot.com for him.
So, if one day you wanna blog, let me know. I give up the slot for you..:p

My Nokia 6500slide legacy with Nokia Care Centre is about to continue.
It seems my phone cannot read my memory card.
I had checked and its not the problem to my memory card,
Its the problem with the memory card slot.
So, tomorrow I am going to ask them to repair it. Damn!

It seems I have nothing good with electronics.
I had a hard time with my computer after I installed a webcam.
I had a hard time with my Nokia 6500s after I bought it.
Now, I had a hard time with my PSP with the white line of death.
Damn, I really think I am just plain unlucky this May to June!

Recollection

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Finally bought a 2nd hand modified PSP for S$300.
However, a few days after buying, the screen appears a white line.
According to internet research, its termed as "line of death". Shit!
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From 21 to 26 May 2009, I was at Bangkok for another holiday.
Well, this time was more for shopping and it was worth it.
This is because on average, prices are between S$8 to S$12 per t-shirt.
In all, I bought about 10 t-shirts, probably enough to last me a year. :)
However, the bad part though, was the traffic jams.
So, should you plan on shopping in Bangkok, find a place in the city center.
It's better and less time-consuming.

Yesterday, we had a gathering at a place called "Fatcat Pub" at Amoy Street.
The attendees are the kakis of TY NPC - Alan, Andy, Leng, Francis and me.
When I first arrived, I found the place was kinda deserted and quiet.
Nevertheless, the place is fine though it was kinda boring after some time.
However, sometime places doesn't matter when you had good company.
And it's always good to catch up and reminisce about the good o' times.
Till then, work hard and play hard!

Finally, to conclude, I found some meaning photos.
























































Kinda cute. So, go out and help anyone and anybody you can.
I sure you would feel good when you do good deeds.

PSP

Recently, I started considering about buying a PSP.
When PSP came out, my first thought was "Oh, another hand-held game".
Subsequently, I saw more people playing and watching videos on it.
Some of them can be so addicted to their PSP until they can walk and play.
Quite amazing actually.

All along, I was contented with the numerous games on my handphone.
However, I considered long and hard and thought......
Things bigger are always better isn't it?
With the screen and buttons bigger than my handphone.
I feel it is time for me to get one.
In case one day I am being quarantined, at least I have my PSP.

So, I started doing my research on the internet.
I read about the difference between PSP1000, PSP2000 and PSP3000.
I read about the recommended places to buy your PSP from.
And I also read about newer PSP not being able to modified already.
Without modifications, one have to be law-abiding and support originals.
I have no issues against supporting originals.
If only we import cheap but legal parallel imports from China, I will buy.
However, sometimes the price is not right.

I did ask a few shops but most say they only have the unmodified sets.
Those that offered only the modified PSP would set me back by about $380.
A price which I considered expensive.
My budget is only between $250-$300.
So, if any of you guys have such lobang, let me know ok.
For now, I shall continue to be on the lookout.

Work Work Work

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I have a colleague who is leaving us very soon.
So DNG, if you're reading this, I wish u all the best in your new post!
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I am on IOAC course this whole week, for all 5 days.
I am expecting an increment of $100 after this course.
So, for money and nothing else, I am here to attend.

Anyway, just the first day of lecture and I have so many thoughts.
Because I heard how our manpower might only be increased, 2 years later.
But since we get S$100 extra, we have to work hard and work long.
This is expected of us because we are SIO and if we don't, who else will.
In additional, I was also given the impression to grow white hair is natural.
If you don't, something is wrong somewhere too.

Firstly, my first thought was I am only 28.
If I grow white hair, I must have some genes disorder.
Secondly, I draw a fixed SS pay + SIO allowances every month.
Whether I put in 40 or 80 hrs a week, I still get the same pay.
Thirdly, I heard how some SIO work continuously for 36 hours.
I do respect these people. 36hours is no joke.
In fact, I read somewhere if you didn't sleep for 24hrs and want to drive,
you are no different from drink driving because you can't concentrate at all.
So, if you ask me, honestly, our allowances are definitely much deserved.
I do work hard and work long hours.

In fact, being IO means we are akin to firefighters.
We can be fired or fight the fire but suffer from smoke inhalation.
Either way, we are never in a win-win situation.
The only good thing is that we help save the country & feel happy.
Which brings me to the next question on how long I be happy.
Of course there will be days when fire goes out of control.
And I get the blame for it.
If the fire is controlled, the fire department gets credited for it.
And all I received is a paper appreciation certificate.

Sometimes I wonder what am I doing here, in my current job.
I felt I am not progressing as much as I wanted.
In terms of money and career aspiration.
Maybe I am starting to lose some passion already, I can feel it.
If it wasn't for the current economy crisis, maybe I be looking out.
For now, I will at least, for the time being, stay till end of the year.
I know my greener pasture is out there.
It is not here.
Definitely.

Genting Highlands

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A can of tiger beer in a supermart at Genting Highlands cost MY$14 or SG$6.
Wow, that's expensive!....
The beer sent by helicopter or what?
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From 8-10 April 2009, I was at Genting Highlands with my family.
This is because my parents are the fans of Genting casino.
I am never a fan of casino because of the well-known '10 bet 9 lose' theory.
However, since my record in buying Toto stands at '100 bet 100 lose',
I think one should always keep an open mind and who knows,
I may be the '10 bet 1 win' lucky guy leh.

Anyway, I dun like to frighten myself with the ups and downs @ theme park.
Thus, my options will be casino, loitering around and drinking beer coffee.
So, since we arrive early on the first day without any available rooms,
I visited the casino and I am glad I did.
Because I won MY$1800 with just MY$100 by playing roulette.
Luckily, I managed to stop and left with MY$1800 on the first day.
Which is a pretty cool return and I was feeling like "Du Shen".
However, the weakness of all gamblers is not knowing when to stop.
I went back to the casino on the second day and lost about MY$2000.
But on the third day, I managed to recover back about MY$500.

So, in gist, I brought MY$1500 to Genting and came back with MY$1500.
Thus, the theory of '10 bet 9 lose' still stands.
The '1 = me' just manage to break even.
So, after this, I am back to my ideal holiday of rest & relax.
Instead of stressing myself out with numbers.
And sniffing second-hand cigarette smoke.

Overworked

I feel I am overworked.
Especially in March where I worked on average 12-15 hrs daily.
In addition, I even came back to office over the weekends.
Just to clear my stuffs with no additional pay offered.

Therefore, I am often very tired after a working day.
Even on weekends, I rather just stay at home and watch tv.
No typing. No thinking. Just pure relaxing.
This is also why my blog went quiet because I am just too tired.
If only the hours and effort I put into my work translate into pay,
I be happy and won't grumble so much.

Till then, since economy is so bad, I just have to grit my teeth.
If opportunities arises, I will not stay in my present job.
Because I know I can achieve much more if I am not here.

Another Lunar New Year

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If u have to eat outside during cny period, do ask if have ingredients or not.
This is because on the 3rd day of cny, my char kuay tiao only have.......
kuay tiao + tow kay + black sauce.
Wah lau..........
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Of the many festivals in Singapore, CNY isn't one of my favorite.
It isn't because I give angbaos or listen to the same irritating cny music.
But because I have to go visit my relatives who will ask the same questions.
When young ----> "How's your studies, got As or not?"
When older -----> "When are you getting married, got girlfriend or not?".
I also have to sit somewhere at the living room and watch boring tv shows.
Yes, I can collect ang baos from my relatives but honestly, my one day pay
is more than what I can collect from all of my relatives combined.

This is why in previous years, I have never taken any leave during cny.
Since now I can enjoy my public holidays, I may consider going overseas.
For this year, no I didn't make full use of the long weekend (Sat to Tues).
This is because my reunion dinner was on Sunday so cannot go overseas.
Maybe next year, I shall seriously consider looking at going for holiday.
If not, I shall find some ways to loiter outside rather than loiter inside at relative's house.
I am weird isn't it?...
or is there anyone with the same thoughts as me?