Thought it's appropriate to post this greeting with a pic of my very first carved pumpkin (created with Pio and Mai). I actually only drew on it... Mai did most of the carving =) And she has the cooler picture with the candle in it.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween
Thought it's appropriate to post this greeting with a pic of my very first carved pumpkin (created with Pio and Mai). I actually only drew on it... Mai did most of the carving =) And she has the cooler picture with the candle in it.
Meet Joey!
He's our new puppy! He's a Yorkshire Terrier - Pomeranina mix. So far, he's super tiny! He only weighs 1.8 lbs but will get to about 5-7lbs. max =)
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Internet never ceases to amaze...
Having just moved to Canada, am just getting into the groove of things so still have a bit of time on my hands. And am still a bit jetlagged. Today I woke up at an ungodly hour (630am is ungodly for me... and for most people I know) so I got a glass of milk and a magazine to lull myself to sleep. However, the magazine I picked up (Business 2.0) kept me wide awake with it;s featured article on "The Next Disruptors". These were technological innovations that would obsolete current industries / technologies and would give rise to other new opportunities. I got so curious I've just adopted 2 of the internet-based gamechangers.
The first is www.jajah.com. It allows free phone calls over the Web with no down;loads, headsets or adapters. It could change the game for telecoms companies and Voice over IP services like Skype, which is what most of my friends use.
Calls are free from mobiles / landlines between US, Canada, China, Hongkong, and Singapore (yay for me!) and frm landlines of most European countries. You just put in your number, the number you wish to call, click on the site... and you get connected on your phone within minutes! I used it today to bum a free call to greet Ate Dits in Singapore (it's her birthday today!). For other places, there is a bit of a charge.
I hope the service lasts. They're depending on people to adopt a "fair use" policy - which is max usage of an hour a day and to use some of their paid services like scheduled calls and videoconferencing.
The second is www.netvibes.com. It allows you to create a highly customizable Web Start page - moreso than other personalized portal pages like My Yahoo. They have a HUGE variety of feeds you can put on your site depending on your interest and it is idiot-proof to use. Just click, drag and drop!
There were other sites which is really interesting like www.zopa.com - which is a peer to peer lending site that allows both lenders and borrowers to get good rates. Unfortunately, only UK residents can participate. Plus other innovations which are non-internet based like EESTOR, which is a ceramic power source for electric cars that can charge in 5 mins to drive 500 miles at a cost of $9 (vs. equivalent $60 cost for a regular car. And supposedly, unlike the current crop of electric cars, this one's power and driving capabilities are expected to be much better - just have to wait till 2008. =P
The first is www.jajah.com. It allows free phone calls over the Web with no down;loads, headsets or adapters. It could change the game for telecoms companies and Voice over IP services like Skype, which is what most of my friends use. Calls are free from mobiles / landlines between US, Canada, China, Hongkong, and Singapore (yay for me!) and frm landlines of most European countries. You just put in your number, the number you wish to call, click on the site... and you get connected on your phone within minutes! I used it today to bum a free call to greet Ate Dits in Singapore (it's her birthday today!). For other places, there is a bit of a charge.
I hope the service lasts. They're depending on people to adopt a "fair use" policy - which is max usage of an hour a day and to use some of their paid services like scheduled calls and videoconferencing.
The second is www.netvibes.com. It allows you to create a highly customizable Web Start page - moreso than other personalized portal pages like My Yahoo. They have a HUGE variety of feeds you can put on your site depending on your interest and it is idiot-proof to use. Just click, drag and drop!There were other sites which is really interesting like www.zopa.com - which is a peer to peer lending site that allows both lenders and borrowers to get good rates. Unfortunately, only UK residents can participate. Plus other innovations which are non-internet based like EESTOR, which is a ceramic power source for electric cars that can charge in 5 mins to drive 500 miles at a cost of $9 (vs. equivalent $60 cost for a regular car. And supposedly, unlike the current crop of electric cars, this one's power and driving capabilities are expected to be much better - just have to wait till 2008. =P
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Am I really part of the "old" group?
The past months, there seems to be more emphasis on my age.. more comments.. more teasing. I guess hanging out with a group with people that are anywhere from 3-8 years younger than you can have that effect.
Yesterday was the last straw though.
I was walking on Orchard and was stopped by a guy who was taking a survey. He was nice enough an he said he gets a dollar for every form completed so I said yes. One question on the form though asked age group... and there were only 3 choices: "16-19" "20-24" and "25-55". What the?!?!?!
Yeah, I know that at 29 years old I'm well within the 3rd group.... but they just lumped me up with the 50-year olds? *sigh*
Yesterday was the last straw though.
I was walking on Orchard and was stopped by a guy who was taking a survey. He was nice enough an he said he gets a dollar for every form completed so I said yes. One question on the form though asked age group... and there were only 3 choices: "16-19" "20-24" and "25-55". What the?!?!?!
Yeah, I know that at 29 years old I'm well within the 3rd group.... but they just lumped me up with the 50-year olds? *sigh*
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Forcing Open Mic Night!
Here's the gang that forced an Open Mic night, even though it had long been cancelled in Hard Rock Singapore...
Who would have thought...?
... that I'd actually agree to go out to a dancing place. And more so, that I'd actually stay up dancing (or at the very least standing and tapping my feet) the whole night! This used to be the norm when we first moved to Singapore but it's been such a long time!
Here's a pic of Eshan, Trisha, Emman, Me!, Kaisy and Kate getting the night started at Butter Factory...
Here's a pic of Eshan, Trisha, Emman, Me!, Kaisy and Kate getting the night started at Butter Factory...
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sentosa Sundays - 2 in a Row!
The last time we went to Sentosa (barring the company offsite) was in October 2005 and I had posted "Sentosa Sundays"... but now we've been back the last 2 weeks... hmmmm... wonder if it will go on?
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
See you soon Vineet!
Aug 21. Just took Vineet and his 3 HUGE suitcases + 2 carry-ons to the airport. The guy at the check-in counter was nice though and didn't charge him anything. Anyway, that isn't the point.
Am sad that he's gone.. and that it signals that am closing on one chapter of my life. Life with him in Singapore.
But at the same time the goodbye wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Cause I know I'm following soon and I know pretty much when. I imagine the trip to the airport would have been so much harder if the future and the time we'll see each other again was still open-ended or uncertain.
But I know that soon I'll be in Canada too!.. and that's something I'm looking forward too!! (Yes Del, I'll call you this week to make kuwento =))
Hope you have a safe flight Vineet!.. posted this just in case you get online access on the plane or on your Frankfurt stopover.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Must-Have Beach Accessory
What's a beach trip without a good book? It's an absolute must-have right? That's how I feel so I was desperately browsing the bookstore at the Changi airport when my friends and I were on my way to Bali. Took a risk with 2 books that I chose after just 3 minutes of browsing on the shelf and they turned out great!!!
The first is "Freakonomics - A Rouge Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. It's an awesome collection of quirkly little findings on how the world operates - but backed up by data. (Like a good P&Ger, I always say Data is King! - damn, what a Proctoid I've turned into =)) It's an especially good book for the times when you don't have several hours straight to hunker down and read... cause each chapter is about different topics. It also gives you time to kinda reflect on the crazy facts that he points out. A seriously entertaining MUST-READ.
The second is "The Chairman" by Stephen Frey. Ohmigod.. as I was writing this I just realized all the books are written by Stephen/Steven! Anyway, back to the point. While John Grisham specializes in law stories and Robert Ludlum in cold war, Stephen Frey focuses on suspense/thriller in the world of business... specifically the world of private equity. Turns out he does have authority to write on this as he s a principal at a Northern Virginia private equity firm. He previously worked in mergers and acquisitions at J. P. Morgan and as a vice president of corporate finance at an international bank in Midtown Manhattan! Good timing for me to stumble onto his books cause I've just about read all the Jeffrey archer (my fave!), John Grisham and Dan Brown books. Apparently, he's published 7 other books so I think I can schedule more beach trips now!
The first is "Freakonomics - A Rouge Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. It's an awesome collection of quirkly little findings on how the world operates - but backed up by data. (Like a good P&Ger, I always say Data is King! - damn, what a Proctoid I've turned into =)) It's an especially good book for the times when you don't have several hours straight to hunker down and read... cause each chapter is about different topics. It also gives you time to kinda reflect on the crazy facts that he points out. A seriously entertaining MUST-READ.
The second is "The Chairman" by Stephen Frey. Ohmigod.. as I was writing this I just realized all the books are written by Stephen/Steven! Anyway, back to the point. While John Grisham specializes in law stories and Robert Ludlum in cold war, Stephen Frey focuses on suspense/thriller in the world of business... specifically the world of private equity. Turns out he does have authority to write on this as he s a principal at a Northern Virginia private equity firm. He previously worked in mergers and acquisitions at J. P. Morgan and as a vice president of corporate finance at an international bank in Midtown Manhattan! Good timing for me to stumble onto his books cause I've just about read all the Jeffrey archer (my fave!), John Grisham and Dan Brown books. Apparently, he's published 7 other books so I think I can schedule more beach trips now!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
ZeeZeeLand!!!
Yeah, yeah.. so I'm cheating. I'm posting this 4 1/2 months after the fact... I'm a fake blogger!!!... SUE ME.
I was just printing out this picture (on my new Canon MP500 that I bought on sale at the Singapore IT fair this weekend;-)) and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed my New Zealand trip last October. For me, this picture captured the feeling throughout that vacation... just happy, giggly, enjoying life without a care in the world...
But I didn't really want to talk about it anymore... but will just let a couple of pictures show the wonderful vacation which showed the many facets of New Zealand. In just 10 days, you see so much: endless road, clouds, mountains... farms & castles... lakes & beaches... GLACIERS... and get to do so much: feeding the lambs, attempting a hot air balloon ride, cruising along the fjord, shooting down the rapids. Awesome.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Sentosa Sundays
Man, I've missed this. Sentosa Sundays used to be a regular thing with the beach volleyball crowd. Now, a few of us ventured to Sentosa again - beach volley with Yugoslavians and then Ultimate Frisbee. (By the way, Vineet, Chrys and I beat Pat, Emman and Mai 5-0!... hey, which reminds me... they owe us drinks! =))
Sundays outdoors is really the way to go. I love being out in the sun! Don't know if this will happen again or will turn out to be a regular thing... all I know is I feel great now, and sleep tonight will be oh so nice and well-deserved.
Sundays outdoors is really the way to go. I love being out in the sun! Don't know if this will happen again or will turn out to be a regular thing... all I know is I feel great now, and sleep tonight will be oh so nice and well-deserved.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Let's get retarded..... !!!
Some impulse buys are worth it... the last minute purchase of Shankar's abandoned BLACK EYED PEAS ticket from scalper Emman proved to be worth it. Hehe. They seriously have got some of the most amazing songs... one favorite is definitly "Let's get retarded" with it's addictive chorus. And of course "Where is the Love?" where they closed the lights and asked everyone to wave their phones -- sad thing was MaiMai had to lend me her phone cause I just lost mine that day =P
Amazing concert though... with a great crowd.. far cry from the Enrique Iglesias concert previously where people would ask you to stay seated and guards wouldn't even let you dance in the aisles! Alas, it's a "school night" .. have to sleep!
VINEET - you missed an awesome concert! Have some videos to show you when you're back!!
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Sunday, August 07, 2005
On and on and on...
Oftentimes, you get bored when you keep seeing the same thing over and over again. We always look for what's new, what's different to retain our interest. But not with the Great Wall.
The Great Wall will keep you hooked simply because it's unbelievable how it goes on and on and on. It just never ends.
You walk past each brick, past each bend, past the many stairs and outposts and you can't help but wonder how much effort it took to create it all... and what kept them motivated to continue with such an overwhelming task ahead of them?
The Great Wall will keep you hooked simply because it's unbelievable how it goes on and on and on. It just never ends.
You walk past each brick, past each bend, past the many stairs and outposts and you can't help but wonder how much effort it took to create it all... and what kept them motivated to continue with such an overwhelming task ahead of them?
Sunday, July 24, 2005
At the edge. A different kind of edge.
Work has been really tiring and was feeling at the edge. But now am on the last few days of my much needed break - a vacation in norway to visit my sister Delia and her family, Vegar & Hanne.
The picture here shows me on a different kind of edge. =) Am sitting at the ledge of "Preikestolen" or "The Pulpit Rock"... much to the dismay of Delia who felt this was too dangerous a position. Hehe.
To see some pics from the trip, go to my my flickr site!
The picture here shows me on a different kind of edge. =) Am sitting at the ledge of "Preikestolen" or "The Pulpit Rock"... much to the dismay of Delia who felt this was too dangerous a position. Hehe.
To see some pics from the trip, go to my my flickr site!
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Travel... Business or Pleasure?
Business or Pleasure?... I find responding to this question, when asked by an immigrations officer, really hilarious. Especially, when I respond.. pleasure. There's just a hedonistic quality to saying "pleasure" -- or is that just me?
Anyway, I've always been fond of travelling...probably cause I got exposed to it when I was really young, due to our family's assignment to Nigeria. There's just something about the "smell of the place" as you visit different countries that gets me excited... and that humbles me. It makes me realize how HUGE the world is and how my life, my world is just a speck in the whole scheme of things.
Travelling used to be one of the things I loved about my job. "Used to" being the operative term. Now, it's something I almost dread... I think of it as a necessary evil. I know I have to do it to do well at work but how I wish I didn't have to. Not that I don't like any of the countries I travel to... most places I go to I just LOVE the food and even just feeling the different vibe of the places. But, it's just not the same when you travel for business with jam-packed itineraries. And it's just not the same when you don't travel with your partner or closest friends... every new sight or experience, you find yourself thinking "I wish he/she were ther to see this" or alternatively "I would have been better off at home with ______".
Looking ahead, I see trips lined up ahead of me... am sure I'll be out more than 75% of the next 5-6 weeks! This is probably the only downtime I have at home with Betty (my Powerbook) and unfortunately no Vineet (travelling for work as well!) so am a bit pensive and trying to recall the collection of words I put together to articulate how I feel....
Everytime I fly away
Be it for a week or only for a day
There's a sad song that creeps into my heart
Why oh why are we worlds apart
For with every goodbye
The sad look in your eye
Asks me why we have to spend time apart
I wish it didn't start
I guess to sum it all up, what I'm saying is: Travelling for business? It's no longer a pleasure.
Anyway, I've always been fond of travelling...probably cause I got exposed to it when I was really young, due to our family's assignment to Nigeria. There's just something about the "smell of the place" as you visit different countries that gets me excited... and that humbles me. It makes me realize how HUGE the world is and how my life, my world is just a speck in the whole scheme of things.
Travelling used to be one of the things I loved about my job. "Used to" being the operative term. Now, it's something I almost dread... I think of it as a necessary evil. I know I have to do it to do well at work but how I wish I didn't have to. Not that I don't like any of the countries I travel to... most places I go to I just LOVE the food and even just feeling the different vibe of the places. But, it's just not the same when you travel for business with jam-packed itineraries. And it's just not the same when you don't travel with your partner or closest friends... every new sight or experience, you find yourself thinking "I wish he/she were ther to see this" or alternatively "I would have been better off at home with ______".
Looking ahead, I see trips lined up ahead of me... am sure I'll be out more than 75% of the next 5-6 weeks! This is probably the only downtime I have at home with Betty (my Powerbook) and unfortunately no Vineet (travelling for work as well!) so am a bit pensive and trying to recall the collection of words I put together to articulate how I feel....
Everytime I fly away
Be it for a week or only for a day
There's a sad song that creeps into my heart
Why oh why are we worlds apart
For with every goodbye
The sad look in your eye
Asks me why we have to spend time apart
I wish it didn't start
I guess to sum it all up, what I'm saying is: Travelling for business? It's no longer a pleasure.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Ever played "Sim City"?
Have you ever played the game "Sim City" on your computer? It's a game where you basically build your city from ground up and run it as if you were the mayor. I remember my friend Jan was addicted to it in college and she was really good at it. I, on the other hand, sucked. Really sucked.
I'd try to build cities but the inhabitants of my city continuously complained, the upkeep was bad and all my roads would always end up with potholes!
Some people who have settled in Singapore sometimes compare it to that game - Sim City. 'Cause everything seems to have been planned, well thought of and organized.... a bit too organized for some in fact.
Recently, we had a company offsite in Kuala Lumpur (which was good times but that's another story =)). Vineet and I visited Putra Jaya while in Kuala Lumpur. It's a city whose full plans will be completed in 2012 and it's designated to be the future capital of Malaysia. Amazoing what they've done to the place!
Architecture is modern but clearly influenced by Malay / Muslim culture. They've built a man-made lake that creates a "central island" for the main government buildings. The lake will be a future site for yachting, rowing, etc. And what's interesting is that they're really promoting this locally with boats (airconditioned / non-airconditioned) that take you around the lake.
Talk about Sim City Extreme! Funny though, Jan's Sim City also had a lake with a central island...but if I remember correctly, she made the central island a jail. :-O
I'd try to build cities but the inhabitants of my city continuously complained, the upkeep was bad and all my roads would always end up with potholes!
Some people who have settled in Singapore sometimes compare it to that game - Sim City. 'Cause everything seems to have been planned, well thought of and organized.... a bit too organized for some in fact.
Recently, we had a company offsite in Kuala Lumpur (which was good times but that's another story =)). Vineet and I visited Putra Jaya while in Kuala Lumpur. It's a city whose full plans will be completed in 2012 and it's designated to be the future capital of Malaysia. Amazoing what they've done to the place!
Architecture is modern but clearly influenced by Malay / Muslim culture. They've built a man-made lake that creates a "central island" for the main government buildings. The lake will be a future site for yachting, rowing, etc. And what's interesting is that they're really promoting this locally with boats (airconditioned / non-airconditioned) that take you around the lake.
Talk about Sim City Extreme! Funny though, Jan's Sim City also had a lake with a central island...but if I remember correctly, she made the central island a jail. :-O
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