Missing In Action…

ok…I’ve been doing the disappearing act for while now. Been a week or so since I thought about penning anything on my head, which I dun seems to have any thoughts (even at this moment). Sigh… Life has been a blur. Really. Quite blurry… Dunno when is the right time to do what? Chim rite? Double sigh… Anyway, I’ve finally opened the door to my new home. Yep! Its a 91 Sqm 4-Room flat in the Northeast. My first feeling when I stepped in to the place was – WOW! Yeah… Its my first property. I should be happy and excited. But sadly, I’m not very happy. Excited? Well… ok lah… But there are alot of other factors tat is causing me HEADACHE! Major headache in fact! SIGH!!! Wanna make a guess who is causing me headache? Yep! Hippo!!!! I shall not elaborate further. I am sure pple who knows me well enuff will share my sentiments. =X

Let’s talk about my new place. =) That should cheer me up alittle. The hall is not very big, but its rectangular. Thank goodness! Cos most of the new flats these days doesn’t have rectangular hall. Mostly are irregular shapes. Odd in fact. So tats a plus point! But my kitchen is miserable. Haha! Its tiny. I think if hippo is there cooking, she got no space to turn. =P Next up, the rooms. The first room is normal. Nothing fantastic. The second room is the one me and my wife are vying for the rights to “own” it now. Haha! Domestic disputes now. =P Its got full length windows which joins at the edge. So the lighting for this room is very well-lit. We loved it! The masterbed room is alright. Just that there r some “dead” space at the window are. Got to think of some useful means to make use of that area. The 2 toilets are fitted with shower facilities, which is great! Its great feeling to know that the place is mine. Ok. Ours (me n my wife’s). And now that we have gotten the keys, we have to crack our brain to see what kind of concept we both wanna adopt for the flat. Let’s put hippo aside and… hmm…. Brain-storm for now…

After Action Review…

Its been 8 months since I’ve used the AAR (After Action Review) tools. =) And it was a good session we had today after our 2-days activity. The good thing about AAR is that the mindset has to be laid down correctly prior to any further discussions. If the team so choose to use this session as a “slamming” session, then it will never be fruitful at the end of it.

So there I was, rounding up my fellow colleagues, sat them down and went about what I’ve learned. After Action Review. Preparation Phase – 1. What went well? 2. What didn’t go so well? 3. Areas for improvement (Solutions, if any). Execution Phase – Same thing 1. What went well? 2. What didn’t go so well? 3. Areas for improvement. Conclusion Phase – Same format as before.

I certainly find this method of debriefing much more friendlier than say, having the chairman or some senior guy blabbering away. If that happens, no one will dare to voice out his concerns. During the AAR, everyone has an equal say. It will be a round-the-table type of instigating for answers. Of cos, not every one has an answer to all their problem. But at least we wanna know what went well and what didn’t go so well during the event. But most importantly, how can we improve on the “not so well” pointers? Sometimes its really about reflecting on ourselves. Did we do the right thing? Would it be done in a much better way? Why didn’t we do it that way? How can we make sure we will do it right always? Some of these questions are rather mind-boggling. But still there bound to be some answers here. Its not easy. But we have to adapt to this culture. So much for AAR…

I realised it pays to have good friends around in an organisation. Some things that needs to be done, requires the assistance of other pple. But there will be the few that doesn’t understand at all. Ok. So we have to put up with such “sub-standards”. No choice…

3 years, 36 months, 1096 days, 26304 hours, 1578240 minutes…

Xyn & Ian, originally uploaded by Lobinhoot.

Its amazing how mathematics came about. Its actually just numbers. zero – nine. The Fireflys has been around for more than 3 years now. Come August 4th 2007, they will be 4 years-old! Is it a coincidence that Casper’s birthday falls on the same day as the Fireflys? Amy calls Casper the mascot of the Fireflys. Its really fate, I guess. No one can know what fate will bring for you. Yep, absolutely no one. But then again, someone once told me that fate usually lies in your own hands. You can decide what lies ahead. You dun have to follow “blindly”. You have a choice and you have to make the decision! Its your choice, in any case. No one can tell you to make a choice you dun wanna make. People can sway you. Peers can persuade you. Bad influence can lure you. But its YOU that will be making that ultimate choice. No one else, but you. So dun blame anyone (but yourself) if you have made a bad decision.

23 more working days at the current place before I embarked on a new chapter in my career. Its not that I’m goin to a totally new place. It is actually more like “home-coming” than anything else. I could still remember vividly when i have to leave the old place to my current workplace 4 years and 7 months ago. It was not an easy decision, but I chose to do it anyway. And boy did I contribute to the organisation. I knew I could excel. My previous boss told me he believed I could succeed no matter where I am. I did have my doubts then, but I knew I also have that ability to adapt. And adaptability is one good trait to have in an organisation like this. Bosses come and go. Colleagues changes every now and then. I’ve seen 3 big bosses, 4 bosses, 3 immediate superiors and a dozen colleagues come and leave. My God-Father reminded me again that its time to move on. Staying within the “comfort zone” for too long will never get me anywhere. Ok ok… I will “bite the bullet” and move on. And I think I understand where he is coming from. I will never be able to “grow up” if I am always residing in that cubicle of mine. Yes, its time to bid farewell soon (next month to be exact). Let’s keep all the fond memories in my head and forget the bad ones (if any). Cherish the good times, Tommy. Dun dwell on the past now. Let’s take one step at a time now. Let’s dun rush things. I am sure the light at the end of the tunnel is not too far away….

Master Hairstylist at Werk!

Don @ Werk, originally uploaded by Lobinhoot.

Our good friend, Don, popped by from Michigan, United States of America, last Thursday for a short visit. And yes, it was about time Don showed us how much he has progressed as a Hairstylist. Boy am I proud of him! Of cos, I wouldn’t know much about women’s hair. But seeing the ”satisfied” look from the two models last night, quite certainly means that Don did a good job! *Pat pat* But the process was not a short one. Now I fully understand why women can sit in the Hair Salon for an entire day, just to perm their hair. Its a tedious process! Wet hair, add curlers, add perm lotions, add “sealer”  (I didn’t know such things existed before last night), wait, wait, wait, wash, add some other lotion again, remove curlers, Viola! Done. That will be at least 3 hours later. Hmm… So the next time your GFs or wife says they wanna go perm their hair, let them go. At least you will get that 3-4 hours of peace? =P Hehe….

PS – Dun quote me! Below are some pics from the Salon Experience last night… more on my flickr.

  

  

 

My World is Crumbling…

I feel lost now… Very lost… What has happened to me? I can smile and laugh when I am with everyone else, but when I get home and alone, I cannot bring myself to smile. Casper is the only one that is listening to me… But he has no answer for me… =~( ARGH!!!! >=( I need a break. I wanna get away!

4 years n 7 months…

Time flies… It really does. So much emotions are currently going through me right now. My boss asked me 2 weeks ago, if I really wanna leave my current job. I boldly said Yes. For my future and for my progession’s sake, I have to leave. I cannot be doing magazine layout and taking photographs all my career? Unless its really a job by itself. But its not. Its just one of the journey I have to go through.

Throughout these 4 years and 7 months, I’ve learned to like this job. I’ve liked it so much I didn’t wanna get promoted, at one point. Because I know when the day I get promoted, it will be close to day that I have to relinquish my current job. Sometimes in life, its really about what we want. What do I want? What do I wanna achieve? What do I aspire to be? It has been a tough and hard decision. But this is life. I will have to “bite the bullet” and press on! Just like what my God-father had told me. I’ve been living in the comfort zone for way too long. And to get my promotion in my current workplace is something out of the norm. Maybe I am setting precedence here. Haha! But I still believed in hard work paying off. I still remember the days when I was only a lowly 3SG for a good 2 and a half years before I got to the next rank. It wasn’t the best of feeling back then. But I perserved. i never once gave up. I “pressed on”. That was the spirit. That was MY spirit. I’m not a person to just give up something. Unless the situation really forces me to do so. Unless I’m left with no choice. But then again, I will not wanna fall into that situation where I have no choices to make. It will be bad.

My days are “numbered” now. Counting down to the day I officially leave my current place. I’ve met some very good friends during these 4 years. And I will cherished all the fun times we had. Thanks, ah Guan, ah Tao, May, Jimbo, Wei Wei, Ngooi, Margaret, Boss. Thanks, Vacain! U guys rocks! =D Not forgetting Xyn, Fish, Amy, Yap and all those whom I’ve met when with the Fireflys. I dunno if I will have the time in the future to take pictures of them anymore, but I will try. Because you guys have given me the best times of my life. And I learned alot from you all. Oh well… Its not like I am leaving for good. Haha… But then I’m an emotional guy. =~~( Sigh~ I cannot imagine I have only 29 more working days in the current workplace… so soon… so swift… Let’s make my last issue a good one, ok? Make it a memorable one… #51…

24 keys…

Went down to Housing Development Board(HDB) today with my Charmaine, to collect keys to our new flat. For S$161,000, I get a patch of 91 Sqm to call home. =D And there were 24 keys in all, which was handed over to us from HDB. Btw, they will not have any spare ones. =P So now, I’m a proud owner of a new HDB flat. So where do I go from here? I dun think I will be renovating anytime soon. Perhaps wait till alittle longer. A few months later perhaps… Sigh… Been out the whole day and really tired. Gonna sleep early tonite…

Hoops again!!

Its been a looooooooong time since I played basketball. I bought a set of “Slamdunk” DVDs. Remember that Japanese Cartoon Series back in the 90s? It was sooo HOT back then! 樱木花道,赤木冈惠,流川风,三井寿,宫城梁田… Familiar names? It was really nostalgic to watch this cartoon series about basketball again. My hair on my hand actually stood when I watched the 1st DVD. Watching it was enuff to inspire me to don my basketball shoes and dug out my wife’s basketball tonite. And so I went down to Kembagan CC and tried to toss some hoops. Yes! I still got that touch! =D I’m so happy I can still drive to the basket. Most importantly, I’m still sharp. Not as sharp as before, but still sharp! The sounds the ball “swooshing” thru the hoop was good. Will be bowling tmr with Charmaine. =) Hope I can still bowl like before… We shall see k…

五丈原陨大星,汉丞相归天…

Its been quite a long while since I mentioned anything on the Romance of the Three Kingdom. Let’s continue from where I left off previously…

诸葛亮(Zhuge Liang) and 司马懿(Sima Yi) were both fighting at 祁山(Qi Shan) for a few campaign now. During one of the battles, 孔明(Kong Ming) was able to trapped 司马懿 at 上方谷(Shang Fang Gu), almost burning him and his sons to their death. But Heavens was on 司马懿’s side, choosing to shower at that crucial moment. After that battle, the 魏’s(Wei) army were having the upper hand. 诸葛亮 was disappointed as he was not able to destroy 司马懿. In his last campaign against 魏, 诸葛亮 was not in the pinkest of health. He knew his days were numbered. And wanting to “extend” his life, he had to perform a ritual that was to last 7 nights. A lamp was lit and had to be kept lighted for the 7 nights.

Shifting to the side of 司马懿, nothing much was done. After falling into 诸葛亮’s trap previously and almost losing his life, 司马懿 chose to remain in their encampment, training his troops daily. On the suggestion of one of his general, 夏侯霸(Xiahou Ba), 司马懿 ordered him to attack the 蜀’s(Shu) encampment. Just when chaos broke out in the 蜀’s encampment, 蜀’s general, 魏延(Wei Yan), dashed into 诸葛亮’s  tent, knocking off the lamp causing the light to go off. 诸葛亮’s aide, 姜维(Jiang Wei), was so furious that he almost killed 魏延, only to be stopped by 孔明. At his death bed, 孔明 handed over all his knowledge writings to 姜维. He also delegated all the necessary instructions to all his subjects and told them to be loyal to 后主,刘禅(Liu Shan). 孔明 later instructed 姜维 to construct a wooden statue of himself and use it accordingly. And after everything was instructed 孔明 passed away, at the age of 54.

司马懿 received news that 诸葛亮 could be dead and ordered a massive attack on the 蜀’s encampment. Just as his army approaches, 姜维 led an army towards 魏’s troops. From a distance, 司马懿 saw a push-cart and someone resembling 诸葛亮. 司马懿 was so terrified upon seeing 孔明 and ordered a full retreat. He only heaved a sigh of relief when the two armies were further apart. But news got to 司马懿 later that the 孔明 he saw awhile ago was a wooden statue. He laughed at his own ignorance and had to praise 诸葛亮 and said,”吾能料其生,不能料其死也”. Knowing that 诸葛亮 is now dead, 司马懿 returned to the capital and plotted his other motives… Taking over the whole of China…

I watched till this episode where 诸葛亮 died at 五丈原. He received the grandest of funeral back in those days. But with the death of 孔明, it spelt the end of 蜀’s army soon, very soon…

I’ve no more vipe to watch Romance of the Three Kingdom anymore. although its only 1 more DVD, I found the last few episodes boring. Without 诸葛亮, the entire story gets alittle bored. In the end, 司马懿’s sons took control of 魏. They then managed to capture 蜀. And with the surrendering of 吴, the Three Kingdoms were united. It will take me some years to wanna watched 三国演义 again. But, I’m sure I will surely watched it… A poem  from Romance of the Three Kingdom:

“滚滚长江东逝水,

浪花淘尽英雄,

是非成败转头空,

青山依旧在,

几度夕阳红,

白发渔樵江煮上,

惯看秋月春风,

一壶浊酒喜相逢,

古今多少事,

都付笑谈中.”

“McHerbal Black Chicken Muffin (with egg)”

Ever imagine how we chinese can eat everything and anything? Yep! U name it, we eat it. Roast pork, or as we know it better – Char Siew, Pig’s Brain Soup, Frog Porridge, Turtle Soup, Black Herbal Chicken, etc… I think if its anything that moves, the chinese will eat it.

Am at Vacain now, rushing some work. Well, actually its May who is doing the rushing. Got to get some visuals out. While hanging around here, Lynn was starving. I offered to buy her dinner, but she gladly rejected, saying she still have some food left since morning. “What food?”, I asked. A leftover McMuffin with egg and a bowl of black herbal chicken soup. Nothing uncommon, you may think here. Yeah, really. But if you see how she ate them, you will be amazed. Hahaha! She stucked a few shreds of the black herbal chicken into the McMuffin and happily munched it. Ian was online with Don, and I posted that question to him. Don replied, “Gross”. Haha! I’d think its more like “McGross” with egg, perhaps. =P

We’ve been taught to eat anything and everything since young. We eat the pig’s liver to “supplement” our own liver. We eat the pig’s brain to “supplement” our brain. We eat frog legs to “supplement” our legs. Basically, the whole idea is that whatever we eat, it was meant for the EXACT body parts of our own. Absurd? Not quite, if you really think of it as “supplements”. Hahahahaha! =D Still, its not quite how one should be eating everyday. I love Pig’s Brain Soup, but due to the high cholestrol in it, it is advisable not to eat daily. Like how medical reports suggest its best to just eat 1 egg a day, maximum. but ‘ell, I eat egg like every other meal. Soft-boiled eggs for breakfast, sunny side up for lunch (with rice, of cos) and sometimes steam eggs for dinner. I’m an egg guy. I cannot do without eggs. Yeah, yeah… Its not good for my health. I know. But oh well, we wun be living life to the fullest if we were to keep on restricting ourselves to just eating all the so-called “healthy” food all the time (I think Chris will begged to differ this statement. He’s a Vegan). Recalling to the days when I did my Basic Military Training (BMT), I was having vegetarian meals throughout that 3 months’ period. And guess what? I managed to complete my 2.4km run in under 8 min 30 sec. It may not be solely on my diet back then, but still it could be playing a part in my physical fitness. It was good to feel healthy and good. Not that I am unhealthy now, but it does dawn on me that its about time to think about my diet all over again. I want my Six-Pack back! =( I’ll try, at least. I will… And yes, Lynn finished her “McGross with egg”… =\