I have been busy last few days with the preparation of my good friend "Changman" wedding tomorrow. I am excited to be able to help him by being the main coordinator as well as the MC (emcee) for his big night.
It is only these 2 days that i realised how important i am on tuesday night..phew..getting stress out abit.
Anyway, besides some of the preparation, we guys went out at night for dinner and a few drinks also..it was fun catching up..about things that happen in schools and soccer games..more than 12 years ago...
And yesterday i got a lovely gift from him, in advance for helping him out...
Wow...usually "brothers" that help the groom will get ang pow (red packets containing cash) as a token of appreciation for helping out. But this one is different, it adds on the sentimental value..and in future when i wear this gift..how can i not remember his wedding night.
Yes, he gave me a very classic Kenneth Cole watch...Nice isnt it?
Yesterday i was at the National Stadium to watch the 2008 Asean Cup Semi-Final Leg 2 match between Singapore Lions vs Vietnam.
I bought my tickets one day earlier at the Jalan Besar Stadium and was excited for the sunday match-up. Simple missed those atmospheres at the National Stadium to watch our Lions Roar.
The atmosphere was also good as we make our way in the evening towards the national stadium. There are FREE shuttle bus from Kallang Stadium, but we chose to join the Walking Contingent and march towards the stadium in style..Mood was good..Saw groups of Vietnam fans walking towards the stadium also..luckily no riot no trouble for all.
(Free Shuttle Bus Service @ Kallang MRT station
(The Walking Contingent)
(Finally we have reached the entrance of National Stadium)
Mood was good in stadium and it was close to capacity crowd..think we have about 45,000 fans supporting the Lions..Vietnam only has a small section (less than 1000) of traveling supporters.
(Near Capacity Crowd)
(Fans waiting anxiously for the game to start)
National Anthem of Singapore:
Match kicks off with Singapore Lions taking control of possession and launches wave after wave of attacks at the Vietnam Goal...
1st attack by the Lions, and we almost score...
And of course, the Lions were supported with lots of chanting of "butok" towards the Vietnam Team (and fans) as well as our famous "Kallang Waves"..They are AWESOME..The stadium was shaking...
But But,,,the lions just cant seems to penetrate the goal line of Vietnam, so many goals were either saved by the Vietnam goalkeeper or the Lions attackers were just not potent enough in front of goalpost.
And there was just 1 lapse in the second half of the match, that we allow the up and coming Vietnam Top Striker (and maybe this region's best) Vinh to dribble and dazzle past the sleeping defence line of Lions, and pass to him team mate to tap in the Vital GOAL! Lions is out of Asean Cup 2008.
(Vietnam supporters celebrating the only goal of the game)
(Image as shown on TODAY papers on 22nd Dec 2008)
Until next time..Lions we will keep you roaring with Kallang Waves!
Japanese game shows and live reality shows are very funny but it seems like they are infringing the human rights in some ways...or rather Intrusion of Privacy.
Don't think this can be done in many western countries (of cos they got Gags, etc..but not so extreme) as well as Singapore.
Enjoy anyway
PS: Drop me a comment on your thoughts. I would love to hear from you.
If you have been wanting to eat a sumptuous steamboat buffet and wonderful where is a good place..
This might be for you...the relaunch of the "7th Storey" Steamboat Restaurant.
It is actually famed as the 7th Storey Hainan Charcoal Steamboat Restaurant previously, before they were asked to closed down and relocate, due to the building of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train lines.
Now it is located at Marina Barrage and it is know as 7th Storey Life Seafood and Charcoal.
But do note that the price per steamboat session has been increased from the previous SGD29 to the current new price of SGD39.
Anyone of you interested to go for the upcoming Safari Zoo Run?
It is held in memory of Ah Meng, one of the Singapore Zoo most influential animals that have made Singapore Zoo & Night Safari so popular and famous globally.
This run is held on 7th Feb 2009 at Night Safari & Singapore Zoo vicinity and start at 4pm early evening. More information at: http://www.safarizoorun.com.sg
PS: Drop me a comment if you are going. Perhaps, we can link up after the run for a cup of drinks, kopi.
I have been busy for the last week in preparing and coaching a group of Chemistry students on GCE O Level Chemistry Essential Concepts Revision Workshop.
The revision workshop was successfully completed and there are 14 students that gone home happy (13 from local Secondary Schools while one of them had flown in all the way from Mauritius in 7hrs flight). You can view the photos and comments from parents & students at my chemistry blogsite http://www.simplechemconcepts.com/.
Currently while writing this blogpost, i am involved as an observer in my fellow A-Math Trainer, Ai Ling's A-Math Essential Concepts Revision Workshop.
Just share with you some photos on "English Used Wrongly in China", sent by a good friend of mine.
Have a great laugh at those mitakes made in translation.
Q) How many of your are aspiring to be an entrepreneur?
Q) How many of you excited about developing a business, a platform that offers products or services that benefit the lifes of others.
For me, i have moved from serving the Research Chemical Industries into Serving a Taller Order - to help students to appreciate Chemistry to a greater level and score the marks they truly desire.
That is why i started http://www.simplechemconcepts.com/, and recently have came together with http://www.singaporeolevelmaths.com/ (# 1 website for 'Math Tips' in Google and Yahoo) to form Winners Education Group - an education academy that aims to empower others to achieve what they truly desire.
Recently, i was reading the One Minute Entreprenuer (by the famous Ken Blanchard)and came across his online learning portal.
For those aspiring to be an entreprenuer, make sure you check out the Assessment Report (F-R-E-E resource). It has benefitted me, and i believe it will benefit you.
Today, i was running an errand at Bishan and decided to check out the Curry Rice Stall at Bishan Bus Interchange.
Several times, i missed out on trying after i have bought food from other stalls..and felt rather disappointed that i dint notice the curry rice until i have bought my food.
So i made up my mind even before i reach the interchange that i MUST try out this curry rice stall..that seems to be well decorated with awards and media coverage..
At the end of my quest, i find out that it was just OK! not that fantastic also.
Service by stall owners/staff: 3/5
Food: 3/5
Details: 2 piece of chicken, half piece of potatoe and half-bowl of curry (with lots of coconut milk)+ bowl of white rice - costs about SGD4.00.
Heard from friends there are better Curry Rice around Singapore..
Over the weekend, i made a trip to our neighbouring country, Malaysia to have Bak Kuk Teh with my Brother and Sister-in-Law. In fact, it was just a short trip to Johor Bahru to eat Bak Kuk Teh for our breakfast.
Traffic was smooth and very soon, we were @ the Bak Kuk Teh store. To my amaze, there were already groups of Singaporeans that are eating theur hearts out there.
We ordered the Claypot Bak Kuk Teh, You Zha Guey (fried fritters) as well as the claypot Chicken with Dark-Soya Sauce. The food was EXCELLENT, and for RM40+ for 3 adults with a full stomache, i must say that is indeed a loving breakfast meal.
Following are photos that i have taken of the food that we have taken.
Picture 1: Claypot Bak Kut Teh (Pork Ribs Soup) Picture 2: You Zha Guey (Fried Firtters) - we dip it into the Bak Kuk Teh Soup before eating Pciture 3: Claypot Ma You Zhi (Chicken with Dark-Soya Sauce)
Now, i have forgotten about the Name of the stall as well as the Address.
All i can remember is that when we exit from the causeway, we kept right and made an U-Turn quickly and turn left again....and we have reached! haha..yeah..it was like only a 5mins drive from causeway.
PS: Do drop me a comment if you happen to know the Name of the stall or the Address.
1) Preparing my group of O Level Students for their upcoming Chemistry Examinations under the Final Leap Program.
2) Writing my 1st Chemistry Book - known as Up Your Chemistry Grades Now! I had almost all my eneegy consumed into writing this exciting book for chemistry students taking "N", "O" Levels as well as Grades 10/11 for ICGSE & IB examination.
This is NOT a Ten Year Series or any Assessment Books you see in major bookstore at the moment which contains pratice questions..i think there are enough of such books already in the major bookstore now.
This is a book that aim to allow students to score more marks in Chemistry Exams by: 1) Knowing What Examiners Are Looking Out For! 2) Common Mistakes that are made by many other students during Chemistry Exams!
In simple terms, this is a book "For Chemistry Students; By The Experience of Chemistry Students".
In order to thank you for your support & trust for the past months & years, i would like to give you the INTRODUCTORY SECTION of this book as a F-R-E-E Gift.
Inside, you will discover:
- How to answer to the question by knowing what each keyword is asking for
- Examination Tips which will save you time and score you more marks
- Common mistakes made by most students that you want to avoid at all cost!
- Plus INSTANT measures of providing the correct answers which will reward you the full marks!
- Must Know Chemical Definitions that you must know if you want A's
To get hold of this Introductory section, simply go to this url
I am planning for a trip to Vietnam during the November / December holidays period.
Due to the credit crunch and financial meltdown, it seems like tickets for both flight and accomodations are running out fast, to countries around this region.
People are still going for holidays but their choices seems to have narrowed to the more economical South-East Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Bangkok, Laos and Cambodia.
Seems like i need to get my tickets fast, before i even start to plan my itinerary.
Anyway, i am planning for a 5-7 days getaway to North Part of Vietnam on a FREE and EASY trip. Most probably, looking at Hanoi + SAPA Trekking + Halong Bay Scenic Viewing...wonder if i can cover on these in 1 week time.
Any of readers have any recommendations? Do leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.
Over the last week or so, i was reading a No.1 New York Best-Seller on Self-Improvement known as "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss.
Really an awesome book. It empowers us on escaping the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich, where we live everyday to the fullest. We do not believe in Retirements when we are so rich at 5o years old. Instead, we believe in having many many mini-retirements throughout our life.
Who wants that? Highly recommended book for those that want more life than the 9-5 work week, especially for those that aspire to become an entrepreneur.
I seldom recommend books to others, but this one is really special!
Go Get The Book Now! You will be as happy as me. =)
I received an email from a friend and i got a shock upon reading it. MAGGOTS @ McDonalds??!!!
Read on to find out more....
"I went to the outlet at Compasspoint on 3 Sep 08 at about 10pm. I ordered 2 Double Cheeseburger and a 9 Pcs Chicken Nuggets. After which I asked for Curry Sauce and Chilli Sauce to take away. When i got home, which was a short 2 mins ride, TO MY HORROR, when i opened the packet of curry sauce, i was greeted with a 'smell' and there were many tiny maggots crawling inside with a portion of the curry sauce which have turned black and harden and possibly rotting.
I wrote in to feedback to Macdonalds the same night, and this morning (4 Sep) i had a call from a Business Manager apologising for this encounter, the first thing she asked was if i had kept the packet of curry sauce! The maggots were crawling out, obviously i had it disposed as soon as i took the photos, and in our conversation she also mentioned that this is not isolated to the outlet at Compasspoint! It was island wide as it could be a supplier problem. I think it is ridiculous! She also told me there were a few complaints already.
Shouldn't they stop giving out curry sauce while pending investigation? It was 'fortunate' for me that the rotting and maggots were visible. For those packets which have not turned black may have maggots swimming in the sauce which is not known to the consumer. I asked her if they do check the expiry date of the sauces, she mentioned that the turnover for curry sauce is very high thus unlikely it would hit past the expiry date. Then my question is, if it is not even past its expiry date and it is rotting with maggots, what's going on???
This just serves as a warning to fellow Macdonalds consumers to watch out before dipping your food into curry sauce, you may not know what is swimming and growing in there... "
They were good but it was a 14-year old kid that has the strength of ROCKY and determination that won the competition. His name is Geroge Sampson, and last year he didnt even make it into the semi-final of the Britain's Got Talent 07.
This year, he is back with all that mighty determination and he made it by winning the final!
Catch his performance here, if you have not seen it before.
Oh yar, they went into Finals of Britain's Got Talent. This was few months ago, but i only managed to watch them this few days. Thought it is really funny. Keep Smiling!
For those that are amazed about the Jacko-Punjab dancing of "Signature" in Britain's Got Talent, there went to Semi-Final and here is there performance:
Have you seen a star, One that guides you no matter where you are? However vast the sky may be Or dark it seems You can be sure, it's always there for you and me
Have you heard a song, One that moved you, one that made you sing along? Your dreams and hopes will all come true If you believe that every vision begins with you.
Shine for Singapore This is your song Deep inside your heart where it belongs It'll always stay, strive for your goals. You will achieve with visions so bold.
Shine for Singapore This is our song Reach out for the sky, far and beyond As one we'll stand, we're Singapore It's here that we belong
Have you heard a song, One that moved you, one that made you sing along? Your dreams and hopes will all come true If you believe that every vision begins with you.
Shine for Singapore This is your song Deep inside your heart where it belongs It'll always stay, strive for your goals. You will achieve with visions so bold.
Shine for Singapore This is our song Reach out for the sky, far and beyond As one we'll stand, we're Singapore It's here that we belong
Nowhere i'd rather be, this is home to me This star shines strong and free
This is abit overdue..but a must for me to post on this blog of mine that shares my footprints with my friends.
Here you can see the birthday cake to celebrate my eldest sister Vinny, my nieces Jingwen and Elaine and my cute charming nephew Kevan.
We all had great fun on that sat 26th July. Oh, i definitely remember this date cos i was half-way through my Organic Chemistry Mastery Workshop for O Level Students @ SMU.
How to Design & Deliver Your Presentations using PowerPoints That Sizzle!
I have been presenting for many years (formally and informally), and have gone into coaching for awhile. Many people ask me what is the best for of presenting to grab the audience attention and to achieve the end results that we aim for.
My answer is: " Every form of presentation has its own merits and downsides, but all can be used to achieve your final aim. The most important thing is to determine your group audience and the purpose of your presentations. For coaching sessions where i want my students to absorb faster and more effectively, i would use Flip-Charts and Whiteboards. But for generating ideas across to the audience where visuals are very important - i will use PowerPoint Presentations."
We all heard of Winston Churchill and Lincoln Abraham. Both are great Motivational Speakers and Leaders.
As speakers, both practice the three-part rule of classic rhetoric Presentation Formulae:
1. Start with an attention-grabbing introduction. I personally prefer Outrageous Openings.
2. Use the body of your speech to deliver persuasive content. Over here, this is where i show my expertise to the audience.
3. Finish on a strong note with a call to action.
Great presenters would have had to learn to think like director Steven Spielberg and John Woo. They are both masters of the big screen because they both understands how to tell a great story with pictures and dialogues.
PowerPoint does some things spectacularly well, & some things much less well. As an economical easy-to-use visual persuader, it is unequaled. The problem is, unskilled presenters use PowerPoints ability to quickly produce text slides drown many of us in a tidal wave of bullet text (perhaps with a few diagrams here and there). It seems like many educational centres and schools are using PowerPoints to teach these days and students are having many "bullet-phobia". Many have complaint of falling asleep while their teachers can reading those bullet points non-stop. This is especially true when those slides are full of words in it (just look at the image above).
PowerPoints presenters have to also cope with limitations imposed by the way our brain works. Our short-term memory can only hold a very limited amount of information at one time. The brain processes presentations through 2 channels, a visual channel and an auditory channel. Overload one or both of these channels and you have overloads. We have all witnessed the symptoms called Audience Start Suffering from Mine Eyes Glaze Over (MEGO) symdrome.
Let's be more effective and efficient in shaping mission-critical presentations for success of our students which is our future champions. They won't learn well with loads of "boring-bullets" flying towards them.
Last sunday i managed to wake up and do the planned sunday walk with my meow @ the new Part-Connector from Harbour Front - Mount Faber - Henderson Waves - Alexandar HortPark - Kent Ridge Canopy Walk - Reflections @ Bt Chandu
It took me half a day to complete this 9km trail/canopy walk. Weather was extremely warm that day and the piercing sun will dehydrating my body. This was not helped by the fact that we started to walk really late @ about 9.30am. Completed the walk at about 1.30pm.
Think Singapore is really good about landscaping. All the parks are well connected and each have differences in them. In this way, we are not bored as we transit from one park to another. The most spectacular one must be the Henderson Waves near to Mount Faber. The structure was awesome and very artistic. Saw lots of professional photographers doing what they love over there.
