780 days to go…

Last day of 2006…

Many sweet and bittersweet memories… many new experiences… hmm… time to wrap up and look forward, I guess…

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!! May the best of your past be the worst of your future!!!

792 days to go…

Attended another CGM yesterday… on Body Language/Conversation Techniques by this very gregarious lady, Ms Brigitte Ow.

Chief take-aways:

• How we dress and behave determines how others see us. It also affects how we perceive ourselves… Congruence of how we want to be seen and how we are actually seen is very important!
• Body Language/Non-verbal gestures – mirroring, “courtship dance” – touch necklace, touch rim of glass, wine glass stem etc, touching the 3 “safe” spots – shoulder, elbow, wrist. Handshakes – comfort zone and duration. Look at face only!
• Confidence as the key to commanding appropriate amount of confidence
• Starting with the weather as a way to understanding a person (likes rain= romantic?)
• Qns not to ask. Eg. Do you love me? Am I Fat?
• How to look bored.
  - Say hi to as many people in the room as possible WHILE in conversation with someone else.
  - Yawn. Visibly.
  - Look at your watch
  - Look everywhere but at your conversation partner
• How to look interested
  - Eye contact
  - Ask questions
  - Touch the 3 safe points
  - Flirt (subtle!!!)
• Showing appreciation and growing together in an r/s

On the whole, I must say that this was an amusing session, though the talk was a tad too long for my liking… was like looking at the humongous stack of qns the audience posed to her. Particularly liked the demonstration parts (luckily she only called on the guys) and the audience participation! Got called on to answer a question though… she asked my entire row (as well as the last row) for one word that describes us… I said I’m fun-loving. True??

792 days to go…

hmm… just a quick post… went another corporate networking night, chatted with lots of people, remember a few (I hope), learnt something new… what I learnt, I shall blog tmr… tired….

793 days to go…

Caught Charlotte’s web with E… cutesy show… cutesy animals, cutesy theme…

Was touched by the spider’s dedication to her promise and her friendship, as well as the rat’s humour and commitment… liked the pig’s reaction to meeting new friends – admiring people’s names certainly makes people like you

Ike (horse): Spider!
[Faints]

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Mrs. Zuckerman: I mean it was clear as day. T-E-Double R-I, I mean can you believe a spider wrote that? I didn’t learn how to spell that word until I was in the 10th grade!

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[last lines]
Narrator: It is not often someone comes along that’s a true friend and good writer. Charlotte was both.

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Charlotte A. Cavatica (Spider): Oh, Wilbur… don’t you know what you’ve already done? You made me your friend and in doing so, you made a spider beautiful to everyone in that barn…

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Templeton (Rat): You’re a pig! Pig equals slop. The rat is happy!
Wilbur (Pig): My name’s Wilbur! Do you have a name or is it just ‘The Rat’?
Templeton: Did you say ‘just the rat’? For your information, pig: The rat rules! We were here long before your kind and we’ll be here long after. So, you just keep that in mind next time you feel like reducing me to just ‘the rat’.
Wilbur: You called yourself ‘The Rat’.
Templeton: I can call me that. You can’t.

---

Wilbur: So you eat flies?
Charlotte A. Cavatica: No… no, no. I drink their blood.
Ike: [faints]

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Charlotte A. Cavatica: [climbs down to Ike's face]
Ike: Please, don’t hurt me.
Charlotte A. Cavatica: Well, since you said please. Hehe.

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Templeton: Look at her! Don’t you think she’s a little… uh… what’s the word? EW!
Wilbur: I think she’s beautiful.

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Charlotte A. Cavatica: Wilbur… we’re born, we live, and when our time comes, we die. It’s just a natural cycle of life.
Wilbur: No! Just climb down! I’ll carry you the rest of the way! We’ll go back to the barn and I’ll take care of you!
Charlotte A. Cavatica: No, Wilbur… I don’t even have the strength to climb down.

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Charlotte A. Cavatica: No, my webs were no miracle, Wilbur. I was only describing what I saw. The miracle is you.

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Charlotte A. Cavatica: Goodbye… my sweet, sweet Wilbur.
Wilbur: Goodbye, Charlotte. I love you.

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Homer Zuckerman: Well, what can I say about this pig that hasn’t already been said? I know a lot of you folks have come out to the farm and you’ve seen the words, and a lot of you have asked me, ‘how could this have happened?’. I do’nt know, but it has happened… at a time when we really don’t see many miraculous things. Maybe we do. Maybe they’re all right there around us everyday, we just don’t know where to look. There’s no denying that our own little Wilbur… he’s part of something that’s bigger than all of us. And life on that farm’s just a whole lot better with him in it. He really is some pig.

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[repeated line]
Templeton: The rat rules!

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Homer Zuckerman: How could this have happened? A miracle, in a time when we don’t see many miraculous things!

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Wilbur: Since you said Salu-what, does this mean your my friend?
Charlotte A. Cavatica: Well, let me think… Hmmm… Well… Yes.
Wilbur: Ya-hooo!

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Brooks: I am gonna get me some rat!

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[repeated line]
Wilbur: Great name!

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Charlotte A. Cavatica: You’re very kind.
Templeton: Don’t go spreading it around.Cute show… but seriously, if u wanna while away some time, personally, I will still recommend Night at the Museum, but it’s your choice…===============================================================

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Telephone and Internet service was disrupted across Asia on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake struck near southern Taiwan. A phone company official on the island said it will be weeks before communications return to normal.

The comments by Wu Chih-ming of Chunghwa Telecom Co. underscore the damage caused by the 6.7 magnitude tremor that hit offshore, near the southern Taiwanese town of Hengchun late Tuesday.

Two local residents were killed in the quake, and more than 40 injured.

A tsunami warning for southern Taiwan and the Philippines was issued after the tremor struck – exactly two years after a devastating tsunami took more than 230,000 lives in a dozen countries from the Indonesian archipelago to east Africa.

The alarm was withdrawn after a predicted one-meter (three-foot) wave failed to materialize.

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley-but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.
If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass-
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here,
There’s big work to do, and there’s lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can’t be the sun be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail-
Be the best of whatever you are!

794 days to go…

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the tsunami which claimed so many lives.

Let us bow our heads in respect and remembrance of this tragic day in modern history. The skies have shown their compassion thru the rain. It has been raining the whole day

Sri Lanka before the tsunami

Sri Lanka after the tsunami

Another before-after comparison

Aid for those affected. Somehow, this picture really moved me. Hands stretching out to help those in need…

The cries of a mother

No tears left

795 days to go…

Merry Christmas!

May the Best in your Past be the Worst in the Future!

=================================================================

Countdown yesterday… well well… dinner at sushi place… erm… same conveyor belt place but diff branch… today’s was ok… maybe this branch was more crowded… haha…. after that, coffee and countdown, and then home… that’s basically christmas eve

Today… had lunch with L. Was supposed to met P, L and SP for lunch, but P and SP had something on… then went to pray at bugis st… seems that my next year’s career will not be smooth sailing… haiz… Dropped by the art musuem and saw this guy called Srihadi. Seriously, he impressed me. Bold colours and bold strokes and convey his landscapes which were simple, yet powerful…

Went to the history museum and saw an exhibition on this Austrian Queen, Maria Theresia. Pretty lady who’s married to some king Frantz 11 years her senior and who later become the queen of Austria (I think it’s Austria). Nice exhibit with all the crowns and wardrobes… hahaha…

Saw this group called Project Bandaloop… They combine rockclimbing and dancing. Saw them as I was coming up the escalator from the Austrian exhibition. Was impressed enough to stop and watch the performance. Despite being suspended in mid-air, they were so graceful! I was impressed!!! Very big time impressed!

Lastly, went for dance class. Being X’mas, the turnout was slightly small. Erm… actually, there were only 3 of us… WC, Mel and me. The instructor commented that she felt like she was conducting a private class! But it was good, seriously. I think I finally figured out the right turn. What I need now is practice! =)

Ability

 Ability is to look at a blank page,

And create a poem.

Ability is to stare into the eyes of fear,

And come out stronger because of it.

Ability is to walk into a room of strangers,

And come out with friends.

Ability is to admit you are wrong,

When you are wrong.

Ability is to get back up,

When you fall down.

Ability is to believe,

When everything seems lost.

 

Ability – a simple word, with a complex meaning.

For many, ability is never found, but for all ability is within.

Ability stares everyone in the face at one time or another.

Whether your ability is how well you shoot hoops,

How well you flip at dancing,

How smart you are at school.

You have ability.

For some, ability is lost by never trying.

Whether never trying to shoot one more time,

Never trying to bend a little more,

Or never trying to score higher in school.

 

Ability is within.

Ability is yours.

 

by Selina E. Matis

797 days to go…

Today… Eve of Xmas Eve… Not that I celebrate, but… hmm….

Had lunch at Siam Kitchen. Reminder to self: If Thai food doesn’t look bland, assume it is spicy. Had the mango salad. Normally, I enjoy mango salads. OMG… one mouthful and I was like… gosh… it’s hot!! didn’t finish it. 2nd dish was hot too… was thinking… omg… am I going to go hungry?? Anyway, luckily, quite a few of the items were fine… like the satay and the calamari… and the rice…

Watched Night at the Museum… Very very very very funny show!!! If you haven’t watched it, go watch it! Basically, it talks about this divorced man who needs a job. Desperately. So he took on a job at the museum and well, it gave him a new understanding to the term “History Comes Alive”! When the museum closes for the night, due to some er… interesting artifact of history, all the exhibits come alive! Thereby lies all the excitement and thrill, such as being chased by T-rex, lions and Attila the Hun. Took the revival of Ahkmenrah (cutie alert!! But well, according to some of my salsa friends, my idea of cute is somewhat weird) to help the protagonist resolve most of the issues.

Liked the miniature battles between the cowboys and the Romans, as well as how they worked together and became best friends. (Don’t ask me for the leaders’ names – I doubt I can ever guess close enough to google for the name). Also enjoyed the part where T-Rex became just like a doggy! Super cute!!! Like the statue from Easter Island too! (Hey You! Dumb dumb, I want gum gum! & QUIET!!! My dumb dumb wants to speak!)

Went for dinner… swensens log cake and cafe cartel. Chatted over dinner before heading home

The Aftermath

Hmm, think this is the 4th movie (??) I watched this year. Enjoyed all 4… tt’s 100%! Geisha, Da Vinci, Step Up and Night at the Museum… Still have Charlotte’s Web and Fu Zi (i think) planned. Thinking of catching Deja Vu too! Anyone keen?

798 days to go…

Went for salsa class no 8 today…

for some reason, the music was really really really really really fast. I mean it’s really really really really really fast! Ended up screaming in terror at some parts of it, as I couldn’t follow the moves! haha… but… from the safety of my room, in front of my computer, it was fun. Way more fun than the regular slow moves… hahaha… esp the song where it got progressively faster and faster and I was really turning wildly! hahahaha

After tt went PS… secret recipes… too bad my ex-student doesn’t work there anymore… hahaha… chit chat with A and S for I think close to 2 hrs… haha… super cold… next time I must bring jacket and gloves!!! hahaha…

Anyway, some insights on salsa… after 8 hrs of instruction and another 1+ hr of practice at US…

1. Communication and trust are essential. The leader (generally the guy) must communicate his intentions clearly for the follower (generally the girl) to gain trust that she will not be suddenly surprised with a random move.
2. Understanding each other is also very important. Sometimes, especially when the leader is a lot better than the follower, the leader gotta take a step back and see if the follower can follower. Likewise, the follower should communicate any discomfort in the following process
3. A skill that is critical is how to put others at ease. Some people are better at putting other people at ease. Just a simple smile, the way they hold you, the way they thank you after it all can put you at ease. Some others make you tense up and hmm… usually end up with their feet stepped upon… hahaha
4. Being observant and considerate. It just helps, I guess

Thinking of taking up intermediate. Of course, the pressing issue is whether I will be able to commit the number of lessons per month. So far, I’m enjoying it. While I’m not hoping to make it to competition level (I doubt I will ever get that far), I find it good exercise and a good way to take my mind off work, just for that hour or so… hmm hmm hmm…