What’s up with the weather?!

The weather is getting from bad to worse lately! Tons of people are falling sick. Even people whom I’ve known to be “invincinble” have fallen prey to the “Sick-Monster”. I visited the doctor twice the past week and he told me his nurses were also falling sick, one by one. How bad is that?! But its really terrible these days. 2 weeks ago, a friend fell from his bicycle on Pulau Ubin and broke his arm. Poor him… I’m falling sick too easily these days. I hate it! Its ok to have the occasional fever or flu bug. But its really agonising to have ulcers on your tongue! How to eat?! I’ve totally lost my appetite the past week or so. Nothing seems to appease my taste bud (if there is any left in my mouth). Oh! And hippo has been watching Taiwan Tornado every day. She has significantly surpassed me now. I stopped at episode 12o odd. She is currently watching episode 235 (or beyond). I woke up this morning at 5:45am (as usual) and was shocked to see her wide-awake watching the serial. Oh man! Tmr’s Vesak Day. Let’s hope I could get some more sleep. Hopefully Casper dun wake me up tat early tmr…

Premiership Final-Day Showdowns…

Wigan’s manager, Paul Jewell, punch his fists in victory, as Neil Warnock from Sheffield United looks on dejectedly.

It was the final weekend of the English Premiership last night, 13 May 07. And much anxiety for some of the clubs at the bottom of the table, as the last and final spot for the relegation beckons on 3 teams – Sheffield United, West Ham United & Wigan Athletics. The Premiership title had been decided the previous week, when previous champion – Chelsea, failed to beat Arsenal, thus handing the title to Manchester United after holding it for the past 2 years. There has not been so much excitement for years now and its really thrilling to be watching matches where the teams have so much to play for.

There were also some “actions” at the top of the table, where there were 2 of the 3 spots up for grabs in next year’s UEFA Cup. My Everton had already secured the 1st spot. =) Spurs and Bolton were favourites for the other 2 spots, but Reading and Portsmouth were having “outside” chances as well. In the end, it was the bottom of the table that produces much of the actions on the final day of the Premiership. Wigan was playing Sheffield United at Bramell Lane, while West Ham was away at Manchester United. Tough fixtures, you thought. But in the end, Carlos Tevez, the much controves-ed Argentine scored the only goal that helped West Ham stayed up in the Premiership. Sheffield United needed a point on this final day, but lost 1-2 to Wigan, who needed to beat the Blades to have any chance of staying up. I was “sweating” as I watched the clock ticked away. And playing with 10 men for most of the 2nd half made things even tougher, but in the end winning it was sweet.

Next week’s FA Cup Finals, at the newly-completed Wembley Stadium, between Manchester United & Chelsea, and followed that with the Champions’ League Finals between Liverpool & AC Milan, it’ll all be much quietier on Saturday nights. No more loud cheers. No more coffeeshop Ah Peks glued to the large LCD TVs. It won’t be till August that all the excitement starts again… Till then, I guess its just the S-League for me… =P

Sheffield United’s Danny Webber, dejected after missing a crucial sitter during the game. Its Championship football for the Blades next season.

1 Week…

Phew… Its been a week since getting to my new work place. Seen a couple of familiar and friendly faces. =) That’s about the only relief. Sigh… I think I will take awhile before adjusting to this “new” environment. Its actually not really “new”. In fact, its kinda “old”. Complicating, actually. Haha… But the first job I had to do this week, was to design a momento for the guys to present to some foreigners. =) Am being tactful with my choice of words here. Oh well, as long as I do not divulge too much info, should be fine (I guess). Anyway, it was done. I liked what I did. And the pple liked it too. That, I am glad. I dun wanna start things on the wrong foot in a “new” environment. =D

They r gonna put me in some training next week. Some refreshers’ course. It seems a long time ago since I’ve worked on such equipment. =) But it should be more than interesting and fun. Its always good to be learning something. I just hope this time round, it will be much more fruitful. Oh! Dun get me wrong here. I’m not saying I didn’t do so well during my last course. Well… maybe I didn’t? Oh, blah! am gonna watch “The Queen” on DVD. Hope its good! So, a peaceful week to begin my next “lap”. Let’s hope the peace continue from here on… Am missing my previous job quite abit. =|

Everton on course for Europe!!

Everton against Portsmouth at Goodison Park.

Yep! Everton has beaten Portsmouth 3-0 with 1 more game to play next week. Btw, Manchester United fans can also cheer abit, as they edged closer to their Premier League Champion status. If Chelsea dun win against Arsenal tmr, Manchester United will be declared Champions. How “wicked”? Cos the next match for Manchester United will be against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Cruel eh? Hahaha… Sorry Blues fans. My wife supports Manchester United. Everton will move into 5th spot after tonite’s win. Bolton’s lost to West Ham and Reading’s lost to already-relegated Watford kind of ensured Everton’s path into Europe next season. But Tottenham will still be a threat to Everton’s 5th place finished. Spurs has to play Charlton, Blackburn and Manchester City. Everton will be facing Chelsea on the last day of the season. With the form they are producing, I am pretty sure Everton will get something out of Chelsea. Let’s pray… But we (Toffee fans) can now rejoice at the prospects of joining the bigger boys in the UEFA Cup tourney next season! C’mon Everton!!!

Joseph Yobo celebrates his goal against Pompey.

Parting Ways…

Me at work during NDP 06, originally uploaded by Lobinhoot.

The one thing I will miss after taking up my new challenge will be the Canon EOS 20D. It has been such a workhorse for me. For the past 2 years, it has served me well. Very well, in fact. I was feeling rather weird today. Since this morning till now. Haha… I woke up at the usual timing. Washed up and left for work. Along the drive to work, I felt alittle strange. Cos come monday morning, I will have to take a totally new route to work. For the past 5 years, I’ve been so used to taking the exact same route this morning to work. Just a routine. Yep. Everything is a routine in life. I just have to “re-programme” my route this monday. =)

I’m still chasing this 台湾龙卷风 Taiwanese Hokkien Serial. There are a total of 355 episodes. I’m watching episode 97 A now. The characters in the serial are limited. Not more than 20 actors n actresses. But the plot seems excellent, till now. the amount of twists and turns are numerous, but all of it excellent! I’ve to salute the writer. Two thumbs up! But the casts definitely deserves a commendable pat on their back. I didn’t know there were so many excellent actors in Taiwan. One of the character have to act as a demanding and fierce CEO for the initial 70 over episodes. Thereafter, he has to act as his twin brother, who is totally the opposite. Someone from the farm and rural environment. Someone who has never been to the city. Basically a 乡下老… I will surely continue watching the serial. Right till episode 355. =) Back to my work. I just wanna say “Good bye Canon 20D… I will miss it the most…”

Final Day(s)…

Tmr’s gonna be my last working day in my current working place. Finally. Sad? But on the one hand, I’m really relieved I am leaving that place. Since last year, that place have gotten to some unwilling state. Unwanted bickering. “Knives throwing” at each other from behind. Sigh… I’ve been outcasted. I know. I have feelings too. I can sense it. But so be it. Tmr is the final day. We shall see how they managed from tmr. I’m not saying I’m indispensable. But to be honest, I’ve done things that’s way beyond me. I hope they will continue to do such things. My first immediate superior has taught me thru the hard way. I appreciate what she has lectured me before. Its not just a simple chore at this job. Its tough. Just the most minor of mistakes will see heads roll. I’m not kidding. We shall see ok? But I have confidence my successor will try his best and do well. I wished him well. Take care…

So after tmr, I will be moving on. Its such a weird feeling. Really. Dunno how to explain. Hmm… Suddenly, I felt happy. I dun feel sad leaving anymore. Why? I dunno exactly how to answer. But I’m just more relieved than before… I’ve received many well wishes from my peers and some superiors. I’ve done my part. But if there are people who felt that I’ve not done enuff, then I got nothing much else to say. My conscience is crystal clear. Why do I have the same feeling and emotions when I first got to this place 5 years ago? De jevu? Hmm… Maybe it’s like this… Just maybe… I dun owe anyone a living. No one owes me a living too. All I can say is I’m proud of what I’ve done for them the past 5 years…

God, please let hippo be gone…

Only if there is no law… Only if I could choose who my mom was. I hate her… I really hate her… If only I could jus pull out the knife from the kitchen and stuck it into her heart! I wanna see what kind of heart she has. How can someone be so selfish? But humans are creatures of feelings… How much can someone tolerate? What’s the limit? Water has boiling point. Metal has melting point. So what’s human’s tolerance point? Is that why there are people killing others? I wished I could have another sibling. Someone who could share my burden. Its tough being an only child. How to deal with a demanding mom? Anyone has a clue? A very demanding mom… How much is enuff for monthly allowances? How much time spent with your mom is enuff? If only I could fulfill all her monetary wishes… Then perhaps she will not bother me anymore. I jus heard her saying one of her fren’s son is giving her mom S$1000 per month as allowance. One Thousand Dollars. Is that enough? Since stepping into the society in 1993, I’ve been giving her $200 in the beginning. And now, I’m giving her $800 a month. On top of that, I’ve to fork out money to buy food for her most times. I do not deny that she does offer to pay some of the meals, but its really not the money that I’m craving for. By telling me tat her fren’s son is giving her $1000, her intention is so CLEAR. She wants me to give her $1000 a month. I know the living standards in Singapore is now pretty high. A monthly household income of $3000 may be just enuff to get by. Seriously. Face value! Wat’s with face value when one is already so difficult in making ends meet? How much can face value be worth? Can it help to buy you a plate of chicken rice? Can it offer you a drink to quench your thirst? What one must do when he is faced with an obstacle is to figure out how to get around the obstacle. And not trying to curse and swear that how did the obstacle got in your path. Hippo will never know how to let bygones be bygones… She can bring up matters that are 30-40 years ago just to criticise a particular person. Everyday I pray… I pray to heaven that I be gone before hippo does. Only when someone close to her passed on, will she wake up her idea… I really cannot tolerate her anymore…