Happy Birthday Singapore 2008!!!

NDP 2008

Happy Birthday Singapore :)
This is a birthday gift that I had given to Singapore 43rd Birthday.
An artwork to mark this extraordinary occasion :)

Frankly, there are quite a lot of Sing Singapore's songs that I love and feel kinda touch (haa... a bit mushy-mushy, yeah? :p). Yeah, the simple and heart-felt lyrics are so meaningful and remind us of who we are.

Two of my favorite Sing Singapore's songs:
Kit Chan: Home
Stephanie Sun: We Will Get There
All thanks to Dick Lee for his patriotic-commercial song!!!

Here's the Sing Singapore website that you could listen and sing along to!!!
(oh.. but some of these songs are not the original version.. well, I still prefer some of the original versions!!!)

http://www.singsingapore.org.sg/songs-content.asp

Happy Singing!!! :)

© 2008 Copyrights c.w.s.. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Robbie Keane!!!

I am absolutely delighted that Liverpool FC has signed Robbie Keane!!
:)

An fantastic and hardworking player who had ply his trade at Wolves, Coventry, Leeds, Inter Milan and Tottenham. And now, LIVERPOOL!!!

Keane is a goal-scorer and clever player. A forward who can head and shoot with confidence. An intelligent player with great movements and a team-player. And most importantly, Keane is a winner! The Kops certainly need more determine, tough and hungry players like Gerrard, Carragher, Torres and Mascherano.

I am definitely looking forward the on new season ... .. the striking partnership of Torres-Keane :)

Welcome Robbie Keane :)

Auld Lang Syne

Recently when I was watching the film Sex And The City, a song was been played from the show.. ... A lady singing in a very heartwarming manner..... singing to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

It is a very, very familiar and old song to many people. I simply love Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis' version. Their version had added some twists to the tune which I had normally heard. A song that showcase Mairi's vocal and the beautiful guitar strumming. Mairi's voice and the tune are so warmth and simple, yet it deliver a kind of sweet-bitter mood lingering around the air. Mairi sing like she had gone through the experience of sweetness and bitter days... her version seems to evoke her singing feeling into me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1n-f-Zusaw

Auld Land Syne was believed to originate from Scottland.. ... might be around or even before 1700s.

Auld Lang Syne literally means "long long ago", "days gone by", "old day since", "days of long ago", "in olden days", "once upon a time", "for old time's sake"or "to the good old days".

Scots pronunciation guide:

Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an nivir brocht ti mynd?
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an ald lang syn?

CHORUS:
Fir ald lang syn, ma deer,
fir ald lang syn,
Wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.

An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup!
an sheerly al bee myn!
An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.

CHORUS

We twa hay rin aboot the braes,
an pood the gowans fyn;
Bit weev wandert monae a weery fet,
sin ald lang syn.

CHORUS

We twa hay pedilt in the burn,
fray mornin sun til dyn;
But seas between us bred hay roard
sin ald lang syn.

CHORUS

An thers a han,
my trustee feer!
an gees a han o thyn!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,
fir ald lang syn.

CHORUS

English lyrics:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
And surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Spain.. The Winner Of UEFA EURO 2008!!!!

44 yrs. It took them 44yrs for them to repeat the feat. Their last major tittle was won in 1964.

Spain. The so-called underachiever in the last 10 years had proven to be CHAMPION!!! A mighty champion, indeed.

All the rave is on Fernando Torres, the Liverpool striker ... (heee... yeah from LIVERPOOL), who score the only goal against the determine Germans. Senna, from Villareal, started a pass from the halfway line to Xavi. After a threading pass from Xavi, Torres beat the off side trap and out run Lahm. When the incoming Lehmann was about to dive and block the silver-soccer ball, Torres flick the ball in time over the German keeper.... and into the net! 1-0. Job completed. Mission accompolished. The cup laid in the hand on the worthy winner, Spainards.

In fact, Spain has 1 of the best teamwork and unity in this tournament. All their players work their socks off for each player, the team and the nation. Who can forget the ever overlapping attacking run from Ramos, from Real Madrid, although at times exposing the defending gap from his attacking instinct. Senna, who is Senna? Actually pardon me for my ignorance that I had not heard of Senna before this tournament. But after watching some of the games that the powerful and strong Senna had played, I wished I could watch more action from him in the future. (Hopefully Arsenal could get hold of him, as the Gunner now need a player like Senna after the departure of Flamini).

Casillas is a great Madrid keeper with talent and 1 of the most consistent player. Puyol, the big curly haired central defender from Barcelona, is great at reading games. Frankly, there are another 2 player who really deserved lots of credits are Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Both from the Barcelona team had shown incredible understanding. Although Iniesta is not a flying winger, he made intelligent run into the opponent territory. Xavi is a marvellous player to watch. Although Xavi is lacking in height, but look at how he marshall the midfield and his team. His self-belief passing is very accurate and deadly at times. Technical skill and composure were shown and proven from Iniesta and Xavi towards the end of the game against the Germans. Both teams were already beginning to show fatigue was creeping into their bodies, yet Iniesta and Xavi still control the ball skillfully, pass and run sharply. And of course, 1 could expect more action from Fabregas in the near future.

Althought the German shown great determination in their blood and more superior in built, the Spainards turn their smaller built and lack of height from disadvantage to their advantage. The Spain players show more nifty run and passes.

Most importantly, Spain defend and attack together. They play soccer. Beautiful soccer from Luis Aragones. :)

Btw, Aragones had shown enough courage to leave Raul out of the team. His reason: After 5 previous World Cup and European Championship, what had Raul won? None.

UEFA European 2008:
Top Scorer: David Villa, 4 goals (Spain)
Best Player: Xavi (Spain)
Champion: Spain

Under The Tuscan Sun

I had just watched a simple yet wonderful film - Under The Tuscan Sun.

A just-divorced writer, Frances, had went to Tuscany on a happy-gay-tour and end up buying an amazing villa. When Frances' new home is under renovation process, she has go through the heart-breaking moments and new-found happiness. Soon Frances has befriended with the people around her. And her prayer to San Lorenzo has been quickly answer - to cook for someone... .. shortly she has to cook for plenty of someone :) . After the renovation, Frances' wishes had came true and happily ever after.

Under The Tuscan Sun, based on a book-memoir by Frances Mayes, is a humourous and heartwarming film. Watch the story. Watch Frances. Watch Tuscany. Hopefully... .. happy surprises to everyone :)

Diane Lane had bring the character of Frances to so much life! Woww... Bravo Diane :)
I am glad to know Diane Lane from this film as I had 'never' seen her before!

Tuscany.. breathtaking Tuscany... .. had made me even more wanted to visit Italy :)

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/mayes/author.html

Exciting Narnia!!!

This morning, my family had celebrated my dad's birthday at the Red Star Restaurant. I find the dim sum are just "so-so only" but what I do like about the Red Star is the 80's ambience! .. heeee.. .. The waitress are still pushing the cart around the restaurant :) . On the way out, there were a long queue of customer forming at the waiting area! Oh, so are these people coming for the dim sum or the atmosphere? :p

Well, after that.. I went to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Oh, the film turned out to be more entertaining than I had expected! A few days ago, I had came across a certain newspaper's reporter, ermm.. editor, had given quite an average review with some 'complaints' about the family film. Well, luckily I choose to ignore his comments, once again, to watch Narnia. The film had given me some excitement moments, even though I expect good ending at the end of the show.. hee... .. I am delighted to watch this amusing film :) . In fact, I would be even more happy to sit through more than 2 and 1/2 hrs for the show!

The reporter mention about the loopholes in the film: why do the bad guys built the bridge when the good guys could just stroll across the river? Well, I thought the bridge could let the troops manouvre across the river with more efficent than across the water (running across the river or land, which is easier and faster??). And do you think it is easy to move the HUGE catapult across the river or the bridge? Well, if you say the bridge is too narrow... or they should built more bridge to step up the efficiency.. .. I could still take it, but it is still a family film!!! Do not take it too hard and serious!

The reporter also wonder where do the commoners suddenly appear from towards the end of the show? Well, do you think a king's fortress only consist of soldiers, servants and prisoners with no commoners living in or around the fort? My goddness, even though my history on Medievalism is not strong enough.. ... one could have seen countless of ancient show where there are commoners living in or nearby the fort!!!

Many times, I am glad to ignore these reporters' film comments. I am only interested in the storyline which they had covered... hee... .. :)

Lost In Translation

0100 am

I still can't sleep.
Can't surf net. Can't read. Can't watch tv. Can't lay on my bed and sleep. Can't do anything.
No mood for anything.

Is the late evening Gloria Jeans ' caffeine taking it's effect now?
I duno.

Anyway, I look through my movies selection. Lost In Translation.
Since I had not watch it before, I play the disc then.
I could kinda feel the 'lost' feeling in the 2 characters.. ... Is it the characters had portrayed the soul so real? Or is it I was feeling so 'lost' at that time? Whatever it is, I could 'connect' with both of them.

Lost In Translation.
Maybe one would experience it... .. at some point of time.. ... .. .

What's In My Head?

For the last 2 months... .. I have been feeling more and more like a "zombie" le.. :(

What's in my head? .. in my head.. in my head.. .... more air... more junk... more confusion???

Whatever it is...
one thing for sure... ..
more souless.. ... .

I try to use my usual remedy.. ... . but it could only relieve me temporary.. it dosen't aid me this time..
well.. gona find my antidode asap :)

Well, anyone got a tonic for me?

Welcome to my Cbox!!!

I had been toying around the idea of putting a Cbox in my blog and since people had told me to insert it as well ... ... and now Cbox is in my BLOG!!! :)

Jogging

This morning I went to jog again (finally :p).... after so many weeks of 'resting'. I think this is my only 3rd jogging after so many weeks (since early March). Well, I suppose I have to rebuild my stamina all over again..... :p ...

This morning was also my 1st time jogging along with my MP3 player. I had always resist from plugging music into my ear while jogging because the motivation to jog may come from the music and not from oneself. But last night I told myself to try it. Well, I go along with it.

Go. I ran. I had started to run. And .... I found myself trying to fit the earpiece into my ear. After a few stride, the left earpiece dropped off. I put it back. The right earpiece dropped off. I put it back. The left earpiece dropped off again and again ...... Ohh, it was rather distracting and I couldn't jog properly :(. But at the same time, I find myself running with greater stride than my last jogging (few days ago) :). Well, is it that my stamina had increased? Or the music had motivate me to run better? Or is it the earpiece had distracted me so much that I had forgotten to pace myself? Well, in the end I decided to plug just 1 earpiece into my right ear and hold the MP3 player with the left earpiece on my left hand. In the process, although I had ran better, I found myself arn't really enjoying my music and my jog. Maybe I am not use to the earpiece while jogging. I would prefer to jog with music 'out-from-the speaker' or without music at all. And it could be quite dangerous to jog with earpiece as I may not be able to hear vechicles (and bicycles) from behind.

Well, for the time being, I would jog without any earpiece :). I would continue to enjoy my jog in my usual style.

Many years ago, whenever I told people that I enjoy jogging, they would always find it 'strange'. They were thinking "who would like to JOG?", "who would like to puff and huff all the way" or "Jogging is a boring activity". I jog to stay healthy (hopefully), it is a great feeling to run (especially when you have the power and stamina... you would love to run 5km or 10km.... and more and more...), a kinda 'freedom' feeling when you run:), and I just like to jog :). Well, jogging is still 1 of my favorite leisure activity.

iCon

Few days ago, I had finally finished reading iCon-Steve Jobs, The Greatest Second Act In The History Of Business. As I am a slow-reader, I took 2 weeks to complete this book. This book is rather absorbing! It told us the history of Apple Computer, how did 2 young guys (Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak) got together to evolve the computer industry. Once I had started off with the pages, I couldn't stop. I couldn't resist reading and flipping the pages. I would keep thinking ... how did they start their business.. where was their 1st BIG break.. what problems had they encountered and resolved them.. the idea of iMac.. iPod.. ......

Steve Jobs is an great visionary guy with a figther attitude. A man who could captivate anybody with his words and he was famous for giving great speeches. He is an able leader who could led an small army to victories, with style.

Apple Computer. Pixar. iMac, iPod, iTunes, iWorks, iMovies.. . iPhone.

"The Journey Is The Reward."
"Let's Be Pirates!"
- Steve Jobs

3 Semi-Finals In 4 Years

Liverpool had beaten Arsenal to progress into the Champion League semi-final against Chelsea. Liverpool had achieved a remarkable three semi-final in four years.

The Kops had win 5-3 aggregate over the Gunners.

Goals from Hypia, Torres, Gerrard and Babel had made it 4-2 on the final whistle.

Great job from the whole Liverpool team!

:)

The Survey

Yesterday I had taken an interesting survey.

Before the survey, I thought it would just be a list of questionaires for me to sit down and answer it. But never did I expected it to turn up to be a surprise for me. When I had been urshered into a conference room, I was been caught off-guard! I saw a lanky Cucasian guy, a laptop, video recorder. It turn out to be a one-to-one sit down session with a Dutch guy with video camera pointing at me! And 'there would be some people' standing behind the 'see-through' mirror observing us ... .. erm me. hee ..... ..

During the survey, the Dutch guy would ask "Where do you press?", "What are you thinking?" ... etc .... . Oh, I could sense that he was very curious .. on what the guy sitting beside him is going through his mind. I feel a bit of privacy intruding, but I could understanding his position, hence, I was more than willing to him my thoughts (and I am suppose to give him 'my answer', if not I shouldn't be here). At the same time, his manner and tone of this whole experince reminds me of those Hong Kong or Hollywood film - where the investigator/psychologist would ask the criminal why and how he commit the crime/the victim on what and how the crime had happen and taken place.

It is a fun survey ... .. with great 'rewards' :)
(Thank you ... .. Princess .. )

The Last Boat People

The last batch of the Vietnamese refugees, the boat people, in Philippines are about to leave. The boat people would be accepted by the Canada government. A new beginning for them. A new hope for them.

I wonder what is the life of these Vietnamese. Sometimes I would wonder how is the life of a poverty family, in Singapore or oversea. Sometimes I would also wonder if these people could grow up and make a name for themself, it would be very inspiring for others and for this world. Their story would then be just like a film. A touching fairy tale movie.

What ever lies ahead of the boat people, wish them good luck and good life :) .

Chris Ho

Yesterday, while walking past Raffles City, I heard some chill-out music from some live-boardcasting over the air. I looked around and saw a guy (wearing the sunglass) behind the DJ set-equipment (probably having the Lush promotion). He looked familiar. Oh, he's Chris Ho. Yeah.

I remember when I was young (probably in secondary days) I had always look forward to read his music review. The music man whom I could kinda look up or relate to.

`

He listen to a wide array of music. He really know his stuff. But his music appetite is so huge that lots of times I couldn't catch with him.. .. haa haaaa .... . His knowledge of artists and music flair blow me away, before I could even catch with that particular artist that he had reviewed, he had already given another tons of artist review. hee .... heee..... I had enjoyed and miss his music column.

Greek Masterpieces From The Louvre

Few days ago, I had went to see the Greek Masterpieces From The Louvre at the National Museum of Singapore.

Yeah! Catch these great exhibition before 16 March 2008!

Olivia's Performance

Olivia Ong will be performing at The Living Room@The Concourse, The Esplanade on next Friday 9.00-9.45pm.

Admission FREE!!!!!

I had just learnt that she would stay and play music in Singapore for the time being :) .

http://www.oliviaong.com/

Lamy White Mechanical Pencil

Lamy White Mech. Pencil say, "Hey u, dun bullie my s.... Pucci." ... ..

:P .. hee... ..

Meet The Spartans

Wana have a laugh? Go and catch Meet The Spartans, it is a spoof of 300!

Meet The Spartans seems to enjoy shooting celebrity look-alike on American Idols' judges (Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Fuller), Britney Spear, Paris Hilton, Happy Feet, commercial advertiesments and of course 300 - a manly version become the gay version.

Oh, do stay put after the show... as half way through the credits there are some snippets!

Also catch the look-alike George Bush, Donald Trump, Spiderman, Ellen Degeneres, hip hop culture and the cover of I Will Survive. Ooh.. one thing that they did a real spin-off from 300 is the great body-bulit of the brave 300 Spartans!

:)

http://www.meetthespartans.com/

Vocation 11-29 Feb

Last month I had went for a 'Vocation', from 11th - 29th Feb.

Overall, the whole 'vocation' had turned up better than I had expected. The budding and the atmosphere.

Every night, I couldn't sleep well. I had been waking up around 4-6 times in the middle of the night. Gosssh, it could be quite taxing at times. Maybe it was that my brain wana wake up on time at 6.30am, the 'Symphony Orchestra' or the 'opera singing' every night that had woke me up.

Well, the most important for the trip was to come back safe and sound :) .

Oh, come November/December, another 'Vocation" awaiting us again.