World of Acronym

October 22, 2006 Leave a comment

 
I am really not a fan of acronym. Often, it puts me in an awkard situation during a decent conversation. I look stupid if I don’t know any of these acronyms mentioned. But again, KNNBCCB, who cares right?
 
Despite my dislikes for acronym, it entered my life at an early stage. When I was young, like most Singaporeans, I attended PAP prep-school. There, we were taught the concept of time "AM" and "PM". Next, I had my PSLE and GCE. Those were the days of BGRs at BK or KFC and before I can figure out the topic, I am enlisted by CMPB (NS) and slogged thru 2 years of BMT and SISPEC with LPPL people. Thought life would be better after ORD but I was wrong - I start getting deductions from AIA, IRAS, CPF, PUB (later SP), M1, SCV etc. Can’t afford COE and ERP on ECP or PIE, I prefer to stick to my SBS and MRT.
 
Afterall, I gotta to save up for my ROM and HDB. Of course, KK didn’t come until 2 years ago. Life has been good to me till far… Started my boutique agency at RCB and now working for BAT with SHA 141 as a GAD… . Who says life is complicated when you have acronym? SMS, MSN, MMS…Communication made simple? Haaaa… I really want to puke now.. I dunno how to teach my son all these ABC…just let him sink his time in PSP or his favourite H5 videos while I watch my favourite CSI series.
 
Man, I do hate acronym. (I attended a forum last month in HK with 26 unknown-to-me acronym, i felt so out of place!) Especially when they are not localised (every country or culture has their own). Here is a list of common acronym that you need to know:
 
1) LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
2) AM / PM – (Latin) Ante Meridien, Post Meridien (meridien meaning mid-day)
3) AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
4) ETC – (Latin) Et Cetera
5) BLOG – Web Log
6) WWW – World Wide Web
7) HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol
8) SOHO – Small Office, Home Office
9) YAHOO – Yet Another Hierarchically Organised Oracle
10) AD / BC – (Latin) Anno Domini – "In the Year of the Lord" / Before Christ
 
Enough said, watch out for your PSI back home.
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

1 Year of Blogs

October 19, 2006 Leave a comment

Come 23rd Oct 2006, my blog celebrates its 1st birthday. 94 blogs and 16600 visitorships (an average of 320 visitors per week)…quite a good turnout I must say. To be honest, I never thought of writing so much (yes, I am talkative..but not typekative).
 
Really want to backup some of these blogs… I have so much good time reading them. Just spent 1 hour indexing my 1 year labour…man, this blog has certainly grown…and I never know when I will stop blogging. It feels kinda sad when I read Tracy’s friend’s blog a couple of months back… In her last entry..she wrote about her cancer..telling us that that was her last blog. She has passed away since. 
 
There are things in life that you just hate to exit. There are times when I wished that I can live within the movie or book…to be part of their life. I love the movie "LOST"…at the end of each season, I would miss some of the characters…like how I would miss my friends. Wanted so badly to see and hear them. This is call "attachment". At times, when the reel connects the real.. the feelings & emotions can be so real. 
 
Guess this blog is just another way for me to connect with my friends out there… And this blog wun be possible without all of you! Keep all the activities going! And I shall have more stuffs to write and gossip!
 
Hope you have an enjoyable time with me. Looking forward to another great year.
 
 
2005
October 23      52 Weeks with Elkan
October 23      Elkan Unwrapped Presents!
October 24      Yifu Wedding – The night Yifu shed tears
October 25      For My Shanghai Knight & Kitty (Francis is the kitty!)
October 25      WHY I STARTED BLOGGING ONLY NOW
October 26      Numbers of Our Lives
October 27      The Special Lot – Friends from Joo Chiat
October 28      The night when I rejected Elkan twice.
October 28      Steamboat Party
October 31      Really "Bread" Habit! (Updated)
 
November 02  Roving Clouds, Shooting Stars and Fireworks
November 02  Halloween Night
November 05  Am I paying for movie or commercial?
November 06  I Drunk the Most
November 07  The Season of Love
November 11  The Amazing Trip – Malacca
November 14  34 hours in Malacca
November 17  Knowing when the rain is coming…
November 19  Short Film by people next door
November 19  What Car is Yours?
 
December 01   My Adventures with Taxi Drivers
December 02   Working for "Sweat and Blood" Money
December 10   Did I sign for a Package?
December 10   Singaporean’s Stupid Queuing Habits
December 17   O-Biang Dress-Up Party at Katong
December 24   Wahbiang Moments of the Year!
December 26   Wahbiang Christmas 2005
December 29   Conflicting Services by Telcos
 
2006
January 01       Looking Back, Moving Forward
January 08       An Eventful Rainy Week 1
January 10       My Funeral
January 15       The Sun is Out
January 21       When Old Friends Gather
January 21       To Give Or Not to Give
January 28       The Tale of a Lost Umbrella
January 28       Nothing but a Metal Box
January 29       On the 1st Day of Chinese New Year
 
February 05     The Day I Fell in Love with my son
February 06     And when she smiles…
February 07     Today is 31st Hock’s Day
February 10     Wedding Seasons
February 11     A Reason to Celebrate, A Reason to Spend
February 13     Election Time
February 13     Thank You My Buddies
February 19     My 20th Companion in 10 Years
February 28     1 Week at the "Whore of the Orient"
 
March 03         Travel Blog – Day 1 in Shanghai
March 04         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 2
March 06         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 4
March 06         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 3
March 07         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 5-6
March 13         Back to Norm
March 19         Nostalgia
March 22         Taking Pride in my Job
March 23         Turning Points in Life
March 29         A 2nd Visit to Shanghai
 
April 08           5th May – It is Official
April 12           The debut of "CHubby Joe" Comic-Strip
April 16           Good Easter Weekend
April 22           A Warm Farewell (at Caffeine)
 
May 02            An Island Mall
May 08            A Luggage of Wishes and Luck
May 12            It’s so hard to say Goodbye
May 14            Keeping up to their pace
May 15            Earthquake at Joanne House
May 21            1st 10 days
May 22            Meanwhile back at Hotel 25…
May 23            Somewhere Out There
May 28            Kiss Goodbye
May 28            A Small World
 
June 12            Moving House, Cutting Hair
June 17            Last Year, This Day – My Birthday
June 22            Independence
 
July 02             No Mood for Blog
July 16             The Future is Here
July 18             Visitors of my Blog
July 23             Lost in Translation
July 23             Lost in Translation II
 
August 07       Reunion & Departure
August 09       Happy Birthday Singapore
August 13       MSN with Francis Chay
August 13       The 3rd Visitor of My House
 
August 17       Meijie Celebrates 31st!
August 23       The Arrival of Grey!
August 29       The City of LuthorCorp and Superman
August 29       A Black Day
 
September 03  Origins of "Common Phase"
September 07  A Multinational Meeting
September 10  The Number that Changed the World
September 15  Calling Your Names
September 16  Elkan 1st Day in School
September 23  Elkan’s 1st Surgery (20th Sept)
September 23  The Hexagon Link
 
October 15      Home Trip (28th Sept – 9th Oct)
October 18      Happy Birthday 2 You, Son.

 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Happy Birthday 2 You, Son.

October 17, 2006 1 Comment

 
Dear son,
 
My little prankster, I dun know when will you get the chance 2 read this. Perhaps, your mum can read this blog 2 you at bedtime.
 
Guess what, you are 2 2day! This means we have been 2gether for exactly 2 years! Mmm…not exactly 2 years in terms of time spent…(if you minus away all the weekdays, my stay in Shanghai and your little trips 2 Malacca.) I was a little fearful that you have forgotton about me when I have 2 be away in Shanghai for so long. It seems that the "Joe Standee" at your house works! Just remember that "Daddy" is not my name or the name of that standee…it is more like an affection title between us both. 
 
I am so proud of you, my son. You are the product of 2 really creative lovers who got together because of a mahjong game. And I heard from mum that you are becoming a monster lately… Okay, apparently, the adults are expecting you 2 behave like them. I know it is hard 2 understand "baby commands" like "mummum" (eating), "bongbong" (bathing), "sheshe" (peeing) and "ooiooi" (sleeping). 2 be honest, I am bored 2…I did thought of teaching you more cool words like "bigbig kalinda", "cheeky meijie", "fatty gareth", "bamboo juliana", "clumsy tracy" and "angry joanne" etc. I am sure you attract more kisses, laughters and hugs if you can master them.
 
Oh yes, for your own good… please go and master "sexy mummy" first… She will play more "purple dino" for you 2 watch.
 
Strangely, my son… you are so small yet you have such a strong influence over the adults. Over time, these "aunties and uncles" have picked up your little body language and sounds. You are a natural magnet but a soft-hearted one. Seeing you reminded me of my past as a child. It is a rediscovery for me…bringing me back 2 my roots…remembering how I was back then.
 
Son, you are ever so friendly, adorable, cute and polite 2 new faces…yet…like you dad and grandfather, you prank on your closest ones. Some thing can’t change. You will grow up being a soft-hearted person who loves your family and loved ones more than you care about yourself. This is you, our legacy.
 
Sorry for not bidding farewell during my last home trip. You know, it is so hard 2 say goodbye 2 you. Your tears, your calling of "daddies" just break my heart. Perhaps, you will never know… I miss you so much…and enjoyed so much whenever I am with you. Your mum says I need not 2 take care of your pampers and feeding. I guess that must be the reason. (You are certainly getting 2 heavy and difficult 2 maintain now… Granny and mum are complaining about their health… You kinda drove them up the walls all day, huh?)
 
Boy, you are just so lucky… Look at you 2day… The center of attraction! You just had all my favourite girls surrounded you! Man, daddy is jealous…wish I can be in your spot 2. Get out of those girls company and spend more macho time with the uncles. People on the street are still calling you "mui mui". Man, I wish I knock some sense into their head – YOU ARE ALREADY 2 AND THEY STILL THINK YOU ARE A GIRL???
 
Oh yes, I must complained on your behalf.. These nice aunties brought you 2 Crystal Jade for dinner and you are served nothing but boring blend congee for your birthday dinner?????? Urghh… if daddy is there, I would have treated you a nice mud pie or roasted chicken. I hope the guests have the same congee like yours 2.
 
And son, you screwed up the gift opportunity. Heard that you are given the freedom 2 pick any gift at Toys R Us 2day… (it was my wish since young!)…and you ended up picking nothing for yourself???? Didn’t you see Xbox 360 or PSP Games? What were you thinking??? Chasing the air again? You know…such offer doesn’t come back again.
 
Okay, my prince. Me got 2 go. Enjoy the monkey I gave you… (dun let mum or granny took it away). And dun you dare be the monkey 2. You already have the Harry Porter’s scar on your forehead this June. Just stop there…you aren’t wolverine.
 
Happy birthday 2 you. That is the only time you can really put a real "2" in that.
 
Love,
 
Elkan Daddy, Shanghai
17th Oct 2006, Tuesday
 

Filed under Family

Home Trip (28th Sept – 9th Oct)

October 14, 2006 1 Comment

 
There is only one home in my mind - not one that is made of bricks and cement. My home lies in the presence of my friends and my loved ones. Home can be anywhere, be it in Shanghai or Singapore. Nothing matters more than spending good seconds with those I share my life with. As long as I am in the company of my loved ones, I am home.
 

I made a surprise trip back home 2 weeks back. I spent 10 good days in Singapore – knocking doors in the early hours to surprise my loved one (my wife, my mum and my friends at Caffeine). Despite being away for just 5 short months, I couldn’t help but notice these changes:
 
1) Taxi meter starts at $2.50 now + $2 peak-hour charge!
2) My Eunos Estate has been repainted in orange! (Ugly shit!)
3) There is a strange looking tunnel where the old National Library sat.
4) New extended underground shopping at Cityhall!
5) New cafe outside Caffeine – Black Canyon (Nice food, I had my last meal there!)
6) NTUC Golf-Course is open at ECP (who cares!)
7) Singapore Discovery Center is open! (free tickets from Hovman!)
8) New National Museum is open!
9) New Kallang PIE flyover is open!
10) New shops at Eunos & Tampines MRT!
11) In-Box5 at Funan is closed!
12) New wake-boarding + 360 Cafe at East Coast Lagoon!
13) Vivocity opens!
14) The new Ikea at Tampines – still building
15) Yixi and Meijie are getting thinner. (Are you 2 fasting this month?)
16) Yifu and Ivy’s tummy are getting bigger. (One is pregnant, the other started jogging with Yixi)
17) Duuk got a new house at AMK. Juli got a new tattoo.
18) Jimmy, Richard, Francis and Gareth got new cars. (What happen to COE?)
19) Hovman is MBA now! Francis Goh is getting married!
20) Joanne, Lusia and my wife looking more radiant now.
21) Kalinda and Tracy got more curves ~ Sexy! (Just stay clear of Guofeng ok? I never say Mingliang…)
22) I came home with a new promoted title: GAD! (Sadly, it also means "Go And Die")
23) Elkan can sing and he can dance… but still wearing pampers! (Dear, try to toilet train him)
24) The bloody haze is back! (Trust me, country mates – China has cleaner air now!)
 

It was a very packed but fruitful trip. There were quarrel, fights, hugs, tears and lots of kissing and singing. You can’t imagine what I have done in those 10 days but I must say, it was such a fulfilling home trip…I couldn’t ask for more. (See Pix: The pictures say it all!)
 

Unlike my last departure in May, there is no dramatic goodbyes and teary hugs at the airport. In fact this time, I walked through the departure gate alone. It is not that I am unpopular or being plain heartless (stopping my friends from sending me off), it is just that I have a group of friends who are just too good to set my tears off. Yes, I am becoming a softie – even saying bye to a 2-year old boy can be so difficult and painful.
 

Gladly, this time round – there is no Elkan, no Felicia and no friends. Just a lone ranger, taking bold steps and left Singapore (for Shanghai and Hong Kong). No broken hearts, no regrets. I cherished every second spent back home. Every day is a memory.
 

Yes my wife, i remember Elkan’s farewell words to me "Daddi, Wo Ai Ni". (Just dun confuse him with Chinese-English-Singlish conversation).
 
See you guys here with me this Christmas.
 
p/s (Thanks Meijie, Joanne and Tracy – you guys tahan lots of my cranky moments.)

Filed under Wahbiang

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