1. People look down on you -> not confirmed, could just be due to perception
2. You look down on yourself = people look down on you -> confirmed, because people will see you just like how you see yourself
3. There is such a thing called a self-fulfilling prophecy
Post Date: 5 Jun 09
Friday, June 05, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
So we lost ...
... but we put in one hell of an effort! And how about the fastest goal in Cup history, at 29 sec??
Post Date: 2 Jun 09
Saturday, May 30, 2009
2nd Anniversary
Hi Father,
How have you been? It's been 2 years since you moved to the Other World. Hope things are ok at your end.
It may have been 2 years already, but I still think of you a lot. I think of the days when I went over for dinners and gatherings, and the short discussions we had on current affairs. I fault myself for not knowing you more while I had the chance. This is a regret I am committed not to repeat with Mum.
Talking about Mum, she's been keeping up with her activities - mahjong, lunches with friends, trips to Chinatown, etc. Recently she revealed that the Vietnamese girls have become quite a handful. The new girl's obsession with cucumber therapy has spread to the other 2. As such, the opening and closing of the fridge door has increased tremendously. Not to mention the extra load that the fridge now has to cool. Mum communicated these concerns to the girls, and the situation has improved, somewhat. Things have also started to break down in the house, eg. the fan in their room and the leaky pipe in the kitchen. "Thank goodness their lease will be up in August", Mum said gratefully.
Linked to this topic of the lease expiry is the issue of Mum being alone again. We have not abandoned the idea of selling our house and temporarily moving in with Mum. But my preference and the long term solution to this is still to find a place near to Mum. I had always wanted to live in a condo, and there is a recent development down the road. While it seems like we may be able to handle the monthly payments, I'm a little worried about over-stretching our expenses. Considering we are still in a recession, I can't be entirely certain about job security. With August coming, we are in a fix. If possible, can you give us an idea or two?
On the baby front, I regret to say that even after 2 IUI sessions, the result is still negative. The little fella is proving to be more elusive than we thought. I had a chat with Wifey the other day. I feel that, if it's not meant for us to be parents, then let's not force the issue and 逆天而行. Wifey is agreeable also.
I have a confession to make to you. Last week, I made your daughter - my wife - cry. As I type this, I still get the guilt pangs inside me. Sigh. I don't know of any man that made his wife cry and still call himself a good man. You see, on that fateful Saturday, we were meeting up with our insurance agent, and I was feeling really uncomfortable about surrendering more premiums to this guy, and in the process further padding his pockets. I just couldn't get what he was explaining through my clouded mind. I got angry with her because I felt that she had already understood the policy terms, and was slighting me with her words and mannerisms. On top of that, there was this issue of applying for a credit card. She was upset with me for insisting that she apply for a particular card that she believed she wouldn't qualify for. I felt that she didn't trust me when I said the bank will approve her application.
For half a day, I didn't talk to her. I was just so mad, and felt so betrayed! This was the biggest fight (can I call it that?) in our 10 years of marriage. It was only on Sunday afternoon that she asked if I was ok. I let out 20% of it. And that was when she cried. In public. It was later in the day, at home, that we sat down and talked about the issue proper. Wifey said, in between sobs, that if she had unintentionally hurt me with her words, she apologised. I told her that her words and action didn't help, after:
1. being tired before, during and after the trip
2. reading how senseless it is to be paying huge premiums for what we were about to buy
3. remembering how much we will be padding the agent's pockets
4. and finally, despite all of the above, still have to go with the flow due to the inability to think of alternatives
There and then, I wasn't too sure if I was disappointed with Wifey, or with my incompetence. I think she was the spark that started the imminent inferno. It took me about one day to calm down after that. When I came to my senses, I felt really bad about the whole episode. Wifey wouldn't intentionally want to hurt me, I rationalised. My misgivings about myself made me forget all the contributions to my well-being and our relationship that Wifey has made over the years. And then I remembered my promise to you - to look after Wifey and Mum in your absence. That night, I cried uncontrollably in Wifey's arms and asked for her forgiveness. I had wrongly accused her. I told her I don't know how to face you for breaking my promise, and I meant it. I really, really, really need to have more self-confidence and stop looking down at myself. I don't know how, or from where, but I'll work on it.
I'm sorry Wifey. And I'm sorry, Dad.
We are ok now, Wifey has forgiven me. But it'll take a while more for me to forgive myself.
How about you, Dad? All ok at your end? Hope they are.
Please continue to bless Mum with good health and 4D/TOTO luck.
Please continue to bless Wifey with job satisfaction and the love for life.
As for me, please let me come to my senses, drop my baggage so that I can finally learn to smell the flowers.
Take care, Dad. Miss you.
Yours sincerely,
Your hope-not-beyond-redemption-yet son-in-law
Image credit here.
Post Date: 2 Jun 09
Thursday, May 21, 2009
This morning's dream
Could be a warning not to be too impatient, or always wanting to be different.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Was with Mum and 7th aunt, queuing up for something. Was waiting for quite a while, and I decided to look elsewhere. Told Mum I'll go check other places with shorter queues.
Vividly remember going upstairs. Appeared to be a classroom, complete with teacher. Got chastised for barging into her lesson. Had the feeling of being belittled.
Went down via another exit, and began to lose my way (nothing new there). It took me a long time to get back, as by then, the sky had darkened. I walked into a recently-ended lion dance / Chingay-type of celebration. Recently-ended because the confetti was still up in the air.
Moral of the story: patience is a virtue and straying from the group may cause you to miss a good show.
Post Date: 21 May 09
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Was with Mum and 7th aunt, queuing up for something. Was waiting for quite a while, and I decided to look elsewhere. Told Mum I'll go check other places with shorter queues.
Vividly remember going upstairs. Appeared to be a classroom, complete with teacher. Got chastised for barging into her lesson. Had the feeling of being belittled.
Went down via another exit, and began to lose my way (nothing new there). It took me a long time to get back, as by then, the sky had darkened. I walked into a recently-ended lion dance / Chingay-type of celebration. Recently-ended because the confetti was still up in the air.
Moral of the story: patience is a virtue and straying from the group may cause you to miss a good show.
Post Date: 21 May 09
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
That sinking feeling
Back for the 3rd day already, but the feeling still hasn't been shaken off.
It's that... sad, helpless feeling that makes one moody, uninspired, questions one's self-worth and role in this Universe.
Is there a Dementor around, or is it just fatigue and exhaustion?
Image credit here.
Post Date: 20 May 09
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Phuket trip
Off to Phuket for 4 days. Somehow, not as excited about this trip as compared to the rest.
But more importantly, we are hoping to score a Made-In-Thailand.
Image credit here.
Post Date: 20 May 09
Friday, May 08, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
New Mazda 3
Went down to the showroom today. The 1.6 luxury sedan model costs $69,988, less $1,000 early bird discount if book by tomorrow.
The look and feel is not bad, but I think the price is steep. Have yet to read any reviews though.
I will need to pay another $2,000 odd to the finance company after trading in Elliot. I'm not for increasing my monthly installment of $600. Based on the installment calculator:
- Mthly installment: $625
- Interest rate: 2.5%
- Loan period: 10 years
- Loan amount will have to be $60,000
Which means I need to fork out about $10,000, including the $2,000 to the finance house.
$10K? From where??
Image credit here and here.
Post Date: 27 Apr 09
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Voice in Head Series - 初一
This morning, while bathing, my mind was working again.
Me: It's been sometime since Wifey and I went to offer prayers to 注生娘娘.
Then Voice in Head spoke.
VIH: Why don't you go this weekend?
After the bath, I quickly got out to check the Chinese calendar. Guess what? This coming Saturday is 初一.
Divine assistance?
Post Date: 27 Apr 09
Me: It's been sometime since Wifey and I went to offer prayers to 注生娘娘.
Then Voice in Head spoke.
VIH: Why don't you go this weekend?
After the bath, I quickly got out to check the Chinese calendar. Guess what? This coming Saturday is 初一.
Divine assistance?
Post Date: 27 Apr 09
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
We are in the FA Cup finals!
We are going to Wembley to meet Chelsea!
From www.evertonfc.com:
Man United 0-0 Everton (2-4 AP)
Everton are in the FA Cup final.
The Toffees showed character and quality in abundance as they beat Manchester United 4-2 on penalties at Wembley to book a 30 May date with Chelsea.
The game was 0-0 after 90 and 120 minutes but Everton had matched their opponents stride for stride for every second of them.
Tim Howard produced two saves in the shootout, while the decisive spot kick, fittingly, was despatched by Phil Jagielka.
Image credit here.
Post Date: 27 Apr 09
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Voice in Head Series - Car park
So I was heading home after another long Friday night.
Me (thinking to myself): I really hope to get a car park lot on the lower floors. Really tired.
Almost immediately, I saw a car heading towards the car park from the opposite direction. Based on his speed, he'll reach the car park first. Which means whatever empty lot on the lower floor, he would get to it before me.
Me: Wah lao eh, how come always get beaten?! How come my hopes are always raised before they are dashed?
Then, the Voice in Head spoke.
VIH: You lament too much.
Me: Isn't it true? He's gonna beat me to it.
VIH: Why are you so sure? You just might get a lot.
Me (not convinced): Let's see.
When I reached 3A, I was dumbstruck - there were TWO lots waiting for me. Wifey didn't see me shake my head in disbelief.
Photo credit here.
Post Date: 27 Apr 09
Monday, March 30, 2009
Bankwest sheds 250 jobs in WA
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=32&ContentID=133000
Bankwest sheds 250 jobs in WA
30th March 2009, 7:15 WST
WA's biggest bank will cut 400 jobs from its workforce due to the economic downturn.
Bankwest confirmed this morning that about 250 roles in WA and 150 on the east coast would be made redundant this year.
The decision comes after four years of rapid expansion that has seen Perth-based Bankwest increase its workforce from 3340 to 5100.
Bankwest managing director Jon Sutton said when he assumed the role of managing director late last year he believed there would be no job losses in 2009.
But a rapidly deteriorating economy meant Bankwest had to make adjustments if it was to remain an efficient and viable business.
"The deteriorating national and Western Australian economies and a high cost base mean Bankwest has no choice but to cut costs to remain competitive,” he said this morning.
"As an independent entity with its own banking licence and board of directors, Bankwest remains committed to being the leading bank for West Australians and to building our business by providing attractive and competitive products for our customers.
"Lowering our costs will strengthen our ability to continue delivering some of the most competitive home loans, deposit rates and credit cards in Australia for the benefit of almost one million customers."
Mr Sutton said Bankwest would continue to be run as an independent bank headquartered in Perth.
He said no retail customer facing roles will be lost under the workforce decision and no stores will be closed.
"I regret the impact on Bankwest staff but those affected will receive severance payments and outplacement support to assist them to find other employment,” Mr Sutton said.
"Decisions of this sort are never easy and are only taken after full investigations of all options available."
Bankwest is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Post Date: 30 Mar 09
Bankwest sheds 250 jobs in WA
30th March 2009, 7:15 WST
WA's biggest bank will cut 400 jobs from its workforce due to the economic downturn.
Bankwest confirmed this morning that about 250 roles in WA and 150 on the east coast would be made redundant this year.
The decision comes after four years of rapid expansion that has seen Perth-based Bankwest increase its workforce from 3340 to 5100.
Bankwest managing director Jon Sutton said when he assumed the role of managing director late last year he believed there would be no job losses in 2009.
But a rapidly deteriorating economy meant Bankwest had to make adjustments if it was to remain an efficient and viable business.
"The deteriorating national and Western Australian economies and a high cost base mean Bankwest has no choice but to cut costs to remain competitive,” he said this morning.
"As an independent entity with its own banking licence and board of directors, Bankwest remains committed to being the leading bank for West Australians and to building our business by providing attractive and competitive products for our customers.
"Lowering our costs will strengthen our ability to continue delivering some of the most competitive home loans, deposit rates and credit cards in Australia for the benefit of almost one million customers."
Mr Sutton said Bankwest would continue to be run as an independent bank headquartered in Perth.
He said no retail customer facing roles will be lost under the workforce decision and no stores will be closed.
"I regret the impact on Bankwest staff but those affected will receive severance payments and outplacement support to assist them to find other employment,” Mr Sutton said.
"Decisions of this sort are never easy and are only taken after full investigations of all options available."
Bankwest is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Post Date: 30 Mar 09
Friday, March 27, 2009
Pop singer England Dan dies of cancer at 61
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29895228/
Seals, John Ford Coley topped charts with hits such as ‘Nights Are Forever’
updated 11:36 a.m. ET March 26, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Dan Seals, who was England Dan in the pop duo England Dan and John Ford Coley and later had a successful country career, has died of complications from cancer. He was 61.
Longtime manager Tony Gottlieb said Seals, diagnosed with lymphoma two years ago, died Wednesday night at his daughter’s home in Nashville.
With England Dan and John Ford Coley, Seals had hits including “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” and “Nights Are Forever,” both in 1976. His country hits in the ’80s and ’90s included “Bop,” “You Still Move Me,” “Love on Arrival,” and a duet with Marie Osmond, “Meet Me in Montana.”
“I’ve loved to play and sing from the moment I knew what it was,” he told The Associated Press in 1992.
Seals, who is survived by his wife and four children, was in hospice care when he died.
“He was very positive,” said Gottlieb, Seals’ manager for about 30 years. “He participated in several clinical trials to assist with research on this type of lymphoma.”
Gottlieb said a major misconception about Seals is that he was a pop singer who came to country music. In reality, he said, Seals grew up singing country music and crossed into pop.
“He was raised in a very rural part of West Texas. His father was an amateur country singer, and he used to play with his dad. They were Hank Williams, Grand Ole Opry people. He was much more of a country singer than a pop singer.”
Seals’ older brother, Jimmy, was the Seals in Seals & Crofts, who recorded the hits “Summer Breeze” and “Diamond Girl” in the 1970s.
Until Dan Seals got sick, the brothers were working as a duo, Seals & Seals. They performed some shows and were recording an album but never finished it. The songs they did complete, about eight in all, will be released.
“In the last two years he only did like three shows,” Gottlieb said. “He just didn’t have the energy.”
Seals, whose father was a pipefitter, was born in McCamey, Texas, and grew up in Iraan, Texas, and Dallas.
His well-crafted songs tended to be insightful and graphic with lofty themes. In 1989, his music video for the song “Rage On” addressed a topic rare in country music: an interracial relationship. It showed angry youths smashing the windows of the car of a young man dating a girl of a different race. One boy hurled a beer bottle at the girl’s father. The song itself was about small town values.
“When we record songs, we take chances,” Seals said at the time. “We feel we are on the cutting edge of what we can do.”
I loved the song “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” and had blogged about it. Thanks for the music, Dan, and may you rest in peace.
Photo credit: here and here.
Post Date: 30 Mar 09
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Board games, anyone?
Strange dream last night/this morning.
Bumped into an ex-CEO who appeared to be extremely friendly (unlike in real-life). He was so friendly that when he asked if I wanted to play board games at his place, I said YES!
We walked through a crowd that recognised their boss. Very soon, we reached his place and proceeded to play the board game (can't remember what game) on the floor.
He then had 3 friends come over - 1 guy and 2 girls. And the girls were in bikini tops, if I remembered correctly. The bikini tops must have meant nothing to me cos I only remember their image when they first entered the house, and no more after that. I even farted near one of the girls when I was reaching across the game board to move my token.
And then I woke up.
Told you the dream was weird ...
Post Date: 19 Mar 09
Bumped into an ex-CEO who appeared to be extremely friendly (unlike in real-life). He was so friendly that when he asked if I wanted to play board games at his place, I said YES!
We walked through a crowd that recognised their boss. Very soon, we reached his place and proceeded to play the board game (can't remember what game) on the floor.
He then had 3 friends come over - 1 guy and 2 girls. And the girls were in bikini tops, if I remembered correctly. The bikini tops must have meant nothing to me cos I only remember their image when they first entered the house, and no more after that. I even farted near one of the girls when I was reaching across the game board to move my token.
And then I woke up.
Told you the dream was weird ...
Post Date: 19 Mar 09
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Our first intrauterine insemination
Had our very first IUI procedure done today. Gynae wanted the procedure done at 1pm, so we submitted the sperm sample for washing around 10.45am.
We went for lunch and went back to pick up the washed sample around 12.50pm. Gynae came around 1.10pm, and by then, the nurse had already led Wifey to a back room to get her "ready". Sadly, I wasn't allowed in.
Wifey said it was quite fast and painless, and she was instructed to rest there for an hour.
Photo credit here.
Post Date: 19 Mar 09
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
中国佛教四大名山
1. 普陀山
普陀山碧海蓝天，风景奇特，号称“海山第一”。这里除可以贪图清凉海风外，还有众多的佛国景点。
- 观世音菩萨之道场
- 位于浙江省舟山群岛中的一个小岛
2. 九华山
九华山的大雄宝殿, 离最高山顶不远。九华山有两坐叫大雄宝殿的寺庙；这坐是比较底的。
- 地藏王菩萨之道场
- 位于青阳县安徽省
3. 五台山
五台山有东、西、南、北、中五个台顶，盆地与山峦交错，形成一处色彩鲜明、气候凉爽、适宜人们浏览和避暑的风光宝地。
- 文殊菩萨之道场
- 位于五台县山西省
4. 峨嵋山/峨眉山
唐代诗人李白诗曰：“蜀国多仙山，峨嵋邈难匹”。
- 普贤菩萨之道场
- 位于峨嵋山市四川省
普陀山 photo credit here.
九华山 photo credit here.
五台山 photo credit here.
峨嵋山 photo credit here.
Big map photo credit here.
Post Date: 5 Mar 09
普陀山碧海蓝天，风景奇特，号称“海山第一”。这里除可以贪图清凉海风外，还有众多的佛国景点。
- 观世音菩萨之道场
- 位于浙江省舟山群岛中的一个小岛
2. 九华山
九华山的大雄宝殿, 离最高山顶不远。九华山有两坐叫大雄宝殿的寺庙；这坐是比较底的。
- 地藏王菩萨之道场
- 位于青阳县安徽省
3. 五台山
五台山有东、西、南、北、中五个台顶，盆地与山峦交错，形成一处色彩鲜明、气候凉爽、适宜人们浏览和避暑的风光宝地。
- 文殊菩萨之道场
- 位于五台县山西省
4. 峨嵋山/峨眉山
唐代诗人李白诗曰：“蜀国多仙山，峨嵋邈难匹”。
- 普贤菩萨之道场
- 位于峨嵋山市四川省
普陀山 photo credit here.
九华山 photo credit here.
五台山 photo credit here.
峨嵋山 photo credit here.
Big map photo credit here.
Post Date: 5 Mar 09
Monday, February 09, 2009
Thank you, 佛,菩萨 ...
... for arranging someone who recognised us as new birds and patiently explained the proceedings to us
... for putting familiar faces there so that we won't feel so awkward
... for letting us be one of the earlier recipients
... for having the 主持 remember me, and giving me some tips
... for letting us find a carpark lot very quickly back at home
... and finally, for providing an empty lift so that we don't have to explain anything to anyone.
Thank you.
Image credit here.
Post Date: 16 Feb 09
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
RBA slashes official interest rate
Original article here.
3rd February 2009, 12:30 WST
The Reserve Bank has slashed the official interest rate by one per cent today, taking it to its lowest level since the 1960s.
Following the Rudd Government's $42 billion package to kickstart the economy, the Reserve board cut the official cash rate to 3.25 per cent.
For a person with a $300,000 mortgage, the cut will be worth $182 a month if fully passed on by commercial banks.
In a statement, bank governor Glenn Stevens said the near term outlook for the global economy was the "weakest for many years", although he added that conditions in Australia were much better than those overseas.
However, problems were intensifying while the threat of inflation was receding.
"The combination of last year’s financial turmoil, a severe global downturn and substantial falls in commodity prices has had a significant dampening effect on confidence, and therefore on prospects for growth in demand," he said.
Mr Stevens drew special attention to the Government's package, effectively giving it the Reserve's seal of approval.
"In making its decision, the board took into account the package of measures announced by the Government earlier today," he said.
"The combination of expansionary monetary and fiscal policies now in place will help to cushion the Australian economy from the contractionary forces coming from abroad."
Since September, the bank has cut the interest rate by four per cent - the deepest cuts in the shortest time frame in the Reserve's history.
Post Date: 3 February 2009
3rd February 2009, 12:30 WST
The Reserve Bank has slashed the official interest rate by one per cent today, taking it to its lowest level since the 1960s.
Following the Rudd Government's $42 billion package to kickstart the economy, the Reserve board cut the official cash rate to 3.25 per cent.
For a person with a $300,000 mortgage, the cut will be worth $182 a month if fully passed on by commercial banks.
In a statement, bank governor Glenn Stevens said the near term outlook for the global economy was the "weakest for many years", although he added that conditions in Australia were much better than those overseas.
However, problems were intensifying while the threat of inflation was receding.
"The combination of last year’s financial turmoil, a severe global downturn and substantial falls in commodity prices has had a significant dampening effect on confidence, and therefore on prospects for growth in demand," he said.
Mr Stevens drew special attention to the Government's package, effectively giving it the Reserve's seal of approval.
"In making its decision, the board took into account the package of measures announced by the Government earlier today," he said.
"The combination of expansionary monetary and fiscal policies now in place will help to cushion the Australian economy from the contractionary forces coming from abroad."
Since September, the bank has cut the interest rate by four per cent - the deepest cuts in the shortest time frame in the Reserve's history.
Post Date: 3 February 2009
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