These past 3 weeks have been really interesting interacting with people much older than myself. It makes me wonder why they make certain comments or have a certain mentality... Like for example, my accountant sighed and said "zuo ren hen nan" - its tough being human. Perhaps she has a very traditional Chinese mindset where she surrenders to fate, but that's just so not me. I love challenging situations and having an internal locus of control rather than being tossed around in the winds of life. However, this may just show my lack of life experience and naivety; perhaps I am still young and ambitious.

I met up with one of my sister's ex-colleague today when 2 of her friends dropped by to pass her 'The Cash Flow Quadrant' by David Kiyosaki. They joined-in on our conversation and it was interesting learning from their experiences. Part of our conversation touched on why we should move away from employment and towards entrepreneurship; how both employment and self-employment trades time for money. In other words, for the employed (like myself,) and self employed, "no time on work = no $$$". In addition, there is also the factor of globalisation making it difficult for locals to remain employed. One way globalisation increases recession of locals is the supply of eager foreign talents willing to work for a much lower pay. Why so? Because of the exchange rate: S$900 is much more than a Chinese graduate can earn back home if they are able to get a job. So, immigrants from countries like China are willing to work much harder for a much lower pay, increasing competition with locals who expect high salaries. Also, being employed usually means doing repetitive work; 10 years of experience is no different from 1 year of experience. Would we want to do mundane, repetitive work with little sense of achievement? Is it for a pay check every month to pamper the children with toys, books and other spoils?

We further talked about how "qian goon qian" - money makes money through business, investments, equity, shares, etc. So, life's quite unfair - those that have money can make even more money faster. Having an early start is also important: that's partly how Adam Khoo and Bill Gates made their first million at a young age. So don't we all want to seize the moment while we can to achieve financial freedom as early as possible by starting businesses and making investments?

So much talk about making $$$ isn't it? Is the objective of life 'as long as you make a lot of money'? Let's ask ourselves the following questions:
'What is our purpose of earning so much money?'
Beyond comfortable living, extra $$$ does not make much difference.
'What is the purpose of striving for an early retirement, of achieving financial freedom young?'
'What are you going to do when you retire? What is the purpose of what you plan to do?'
'What is the purpose of our life?'
The one who inherits our wealth may be wise, or may be a fool who will destroy what we bulit using our entire lifespan.
'Is there any meaning to storing wealth where we cannot enjoy in death?'

Well, as for me, it's a firm 'NO', the objective of my life is not 'as long as I make ALOOOOOOTTTT of $$$$$' or be so filthy rich I use bank notes as toilet paper. While making money remains in my "to do list", it is by no means the sole purpose. The goal of my life is to be more Christ-like. As people grow older, they become either more Christ-like or more evil, or secretly evil or unscrupulous. I believe it is important to remember that there is much more to life than the material things that we see and that the flesh craves for. Money can buy a lot of things, but not everything. Money cannot buy true love, care and concern. These intangible things can only be found in people. Most importantly, the human soul craves for unfailing love - unattainable from the hearts of any mortal man. In Christ alone can our deepest needs be met.



I thoroughly enjoyed watching Casino Royale 007... To me, Solange and James Bond were an epitome of sophistication, elitism and egoism... haha... That's exactly what I like about it... Their conversations were intellectual; a tad too elaborated to be spontaneous though. I loved the dialogue Bond had with his boss when he broke into her house and the one when bond first met Solange - the beautiful, and intellectual federal accountant with a sharp tongue; yet, she has a soft side and was black-mailed into betraying James Bond.

I guess I loved it because it resonates what I secretly covet. Being intelligent, sophisticated, and arrogant... Lucrative, isn't it? However, being a Christian, these aren't values and lifestyles I should hold on to... Instead of self-pride, I should be filled with humility and dependence on Christ. Humility isn't discrediting oneself of one's strengths, but acknowledging one's weaknesses. On reflection, there are plenty of ungodly thoughts and habits that should be avoided; these can be done, as I see it, by a process called substitution. For example, to stop being selfish, one must be generous. To learn not to discriminate and hate, one must love. To cease being self-centred, I must be Christ-centred - to die to myself and live for Christ! Basically, I just feel that I need a spiritual revamp... Take that ungodly thing away and replace it with this godly thing. Pride tells me I can do it by my own strength. The bible tells me I need to submit myself to God's transforming power.

If we have our focus set on earthly things, we would desire earthly things and miss out on God's call on our lives. But if we set our minds on living life eternal with God, then we would desire to store treasures in heaven rather than on earth... I like this verse (Matthew 6:21) projected on Tangs.

Casino Royale:
1. Casino Royale is long and slightly draggy and has an abrupt ending..
2. Cool start.. Guys would be impressed at the chase scene at the start.. Woo! The way they overcame obstacles is super cool.
3. No cool toys this time, but has cool cars
4. Feisty accountant (Solange).. I Like... haha..
5. Complex plot. Love'It!

Happy Feet:
1. Silly plot! Accept who you are... You can make a difference even though you are deemed "weaker" or ostracised... blah, blah, blah.... And why would we stop trawling around the Antarctica?! We still need fish!
2. Not very cute... Mumble was cute when he was young... Only for a short while.
3. Too much human personality in the silly penguins
4. Not funny.. Few lame jokes though
5. Mumble is essentially a weakling... I dun like...
(Gals, we're all entitled to our opinions... so dun start yelling at me... haha...)

Ha... Call me boh liao, but I actually walked down the entire stretch of Orchard just now just to look at Christmas trees and take some photos.. If you dun wanna stay home but dun want to spend $$$$, you can always learn from me... haha.. get to hang around with friends but dun spend money.... haha




Probably the most conventional Christmas tree this year... Outside Paragon.



Conventional and aesthetic. Inside Nee Ann City.



Christmas stacks of coloured boxes. Outside PS.



The most expensive tree... The crystals alone were reported in My Paper (I actually read the chinese papers!) to be worth S$250,000..Even though its unique and expensive, I still feel it lacks colour and vibrancy... heee.. Its outside The Heeren.



My fave tree! Its in The Cathy. Though conventional in most other aspects, its coloured funky pink! I'm fine with it cos its not like I'm wearing it or anything.. I think its a bridge between convention and youthful exuberance - wild and adventurous...




How was my birthday week, I hear you ask? Well, its not as terrific as I would have liked it to be. So, that means that it was a disappointment... This means that I am so not going to discuss it. =P bleah..

Anyways, my colleagues were super sweet... They were the most pleasant surprise... On my birthday, I had only known them for a mere 9 working days, but they actually bothered to celebrate it... Its heart warming that I've only known them for 2 weeks, but we seem to gel quite well.. Went to Sentosa with them on Sat... Fun sia..

What's been on my mind is about perceived reality. With selective attention, selective distortion and selective retention, witnesses to the same event may have varied accounts. I think it get more complex when biasness towards or against other individuals are factored in... Aiya... I'll try to keep things short... Basically, I feel that in interpersonal relations, its super complex because of perceived reality, since what one perceives as reality would affect how one reacts to another person... For example, someone can look at all my screw ups and all my short comings and conclude that I am a lousy person.. On the other hand, someone else may see just all my strong points and conclude that I am an extremely confident, secure and charismatic person... Its also scary hearing my mother's account of how I progressed from an aggregate of 207 at PSLE to AAA at 'A' levels - because her account is different from mine.... Not entirely wrong, but just how even mother and son account of an event can vary is scary.. Just imagine 2 enemies... Juz some food for thought.

Cheers and God bless always,
fudge Yeh!



Now that I am no longer subjected to regimentation, I celebrated my 2-week-old liberty by going for a hair dye! haha... Well, its supposed to be darker... Hair colouration dun always turn out as intended...





It scares me how much I resemble my dad when he was my age... haha.. Anyway, let's talk about my interesting company...




Let's start from the good stuff...
1. The accountant
She's a nice catholic... So far, I've seen her console 2 people upset by my work place... Zai in her own right as well... She does teach me quite a bit and I've started using MYOB...
2. Fun lunch company
As temp staff, I dun dirty my hands in company politics... I'm a neutral creep... haha.. I'm a friend to all.. so the people that usually ask me out for lunch have been rather fun to be around..

Now the bad... hurrhurrhurrr....
1. So many people want to quit! the reason? my guess is below:
2. The company is a morachy!
haha.. Yes! the "big boss" is the father, the director is the mother and one of the managers is the daughter who, in my opinion, has rather bad E.Q.... Its not that she has bad intentions, its just the way she carries her message across...
3. Quarrels?
yup.. within 6 days I've withnessed 2 ladies shed tears... maybe partly because of the "royal family", but also because of friction between staff...
4. Mystery...
Maybe those intending to leave have their own qualms that they do not openly share... And the little I hear is insufficient to make what I perceive close to reality, which may be better or worse; though I may not be affected by whatever the reality is...

Well, I am still staying. Because, its tough enough finding a job as an accounts assistant with a useless 'A' level certificate, let alone get a good paying one... Also, the accountant is very nurturing and when she leaves for her well deserved holiday, it'll still be a good learning experience that will look good in whatever application essay i may complete in the future.



Its not a recent obsession with the arts but its fascinating.. I'm no guru but here are some interesting stuff or stuffs that may enchant you too! =)


Haha... This video is taken from Mr Brown's show; Hossan Leong sings about Singapore's history and how its "not perfect living but at least its interesting". Well, I think it's all arguable whether or not Singapore's interesting, but at least we are trying to be an arts hub and a "fun city". On a side note, I must admit that I am strongly in favour of our Singaporean lifestyle, the fast paced society and the rigorous education system; while there seem to be others who criticise the pressure of our education system and the hectic working lifestyle. This really makes me curious as to how life is on "greener pastures" - wherever it is. As such, I'm planning to go for some exchange while studying in NTU; to experience how life is like in a slower paced society, where shops close by 5p.m. and road sweepers have a take-home salary of $2k.

Anyway, back to the song, it can be viewed below, I hope you all enjoy it and there are lyrics too. I think we should be able to relate to most of the names and events mentioned... After all, the lyrics are about us...



For the more analytical, I have copied the lyrics of the song below for you to ponder over.. =P

We Live In Singapura

Sang Nila, Utama
Saw a lion, alamak
Name the village Singapura, then run very far

Years later, ang mor came
Stamford Raffles was his name
Posed for statues very nice, we kenna colonize

Singapura very strong
Big guns all, pointing wrong
Japanese, came on bikes, invade us from our backside

War is over, ang mor back
Singaporeans no respect
Commies come, make a fuss, Singapore independance!

CHORUS
I live in Singapura
It's not perfect living
But at least it's interesting
I live in Singapura
Though it's kind of crazy
We win other country

David Marshall, Lim Yew Hock
National Anthem starts to rock
Yusof Ishak the big man, guess who's PM?

Malaysia say, come join me
Two of us be same country
Then not happy, Then make PM cry

PM Lee lead country
Build jurong and HDB
Made the country clean and green, opposition cannot win

JB Jeya no more funds,
Chee Soon Juan won't eat his buns
Lim How Doong, what a goon, don't talk cock in parliament

CHORUS
I live in Singapura
It's not perfect living
But at least it's interesting
I live in Singapura
Though its kind of crazy
We win other country

The song is a spoof of Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire". I fell in love with this song when my GP tutor introduced it to my class... It's about conflicts in world history and how, as the chorus goes, "we didn't start the fire; it was always burning since the world's been turning". I've uploaded a video of this song too... The video has pictures of all the mentioned people and events, pretty cool; though I still have no clue who some of them are..





I just watched "Step Up" today!!! Its great! The moves are good, though Bollywood can dance better. What impressed me is the subtle contrast drawn between Tylor and his buddies, how they all are clueless about life and have no dreams while Tylor subsequently discovers one. Also, Nora's final year dance showcase was an interesting fusion of different dance styles and art forms... I know nothing much about dance or art, so just preview the showcase... Its the best quality available on youtube.com; so if you like it, go buy the original DVD and lend me, ok? haha...



Some thoughts from watching the show(don't read if you haven't watched the movie! If you have, proceed and tag your views!):

- Tylor walked out on his buddies, Nora and his "dream" once too many... Perhaps he's not too sure yet, but people don't always get so many second chances from life...

- Nora started in the show as a classically trained dancer and her dance moves were rigid. Then came along untrained Tylor and he brought in all the breadth to her final showcase... My opinion: I dowanna be rigid and by the the book... I wanna be versatile and interesting and incorporate different elements to make solutions interesting.

- One of Tylor's buddies died - Skinny Carter. I think that if you wanna be bad, you've still gotta be street smart. People successful in illegal trade is zai one loh!

That's all.. Just some random thoughts from the movie.. ha..

Cheers,
Fuda



'Our official working hours is from 9:ooa.m. to 6:00p.m., I'll see you on Monday. Do you have any other questions?'
'What is the dress code? Formal or smart casual?'
'You can wear this... Or you can wear t-shirt... Just as long as you wear something...'
With that, the interview room roared with laughter and I finally ended my 2 week long job search and 4 day long unemployment. When drawing money after the interview, I felt so much more confident and secure. I remember looking at clothes at Topman last Monday and I felt like I have no buying power although I just received my pay cheque for last month from Stalford Tuition Center. Everyday without a job was like an additional liability, spending money without assurance of a next pay cheque. I started feeling slightly depressed from the first day of my unemployment.. haha..

'Hullo, I saw your advertisement on the Classified jobs and I would like to apply for the position of accounts assistant..'
'We only want females. Thank you. Bye!'
That happened twice! On other occasions,
'No, we dun have that position but we have sales...'
'NO.'
Some other time,
'Do you want to be our store supervisor?'
'NO.'
From Recruit Express, a job agency, after an interview.
'Hi Fuda! There's a vacancy at Tampines to do admin in AIA's claims department.. Will you be interested? There will be no interview.. They'll accept you from your resume.'
'Admin in claims department.. I'll consider, but I'll try to find a job that gives me the experience that I want first.. Thanks Melissa..'
I must say this job search has been an enriching experience, and I never fail to impress my interviewers. ha.. Of course man.. haha.. (Egoistic me.. haha)

On my second interview with one of the directors of DW Biomagnetic Group,
'I spoke to my boss, because you only have 'A' Levels, we can't really give you an accounts job and you said you don't want any other admin job. But because I gave you really good remarks, my boss said you can join us and be a trainer, and at the career talk later, you can consider other options...'
'Oh, trainer sounds interesting... I may consider...'
'Yah, because of your appearance, you were polite and confident, you know, you can be a trainer.. But of course, you have to start doing some sales first; you must have the health knowledge first... So you can answer when your trainee ask....'
Anyway, I seriously doubt the benefits of such dubious products and I declined although it was alluring indeed.

Yesterday, I went to a modelling agency at Park Mall. No, I wasn't applying as a model; I applied to be their accounts assistant, to do some basic book keeping. Amazingly, I did the interview in mandarin! It felt like Chinese oral. ha... Anyway, they weren't looking for accounts assistants, but she seemed impressed and said she would check if they need an accounts assistant, which they were looking for a few months back but didn't get one and there was no further news till now. She seemed keen on employing me for 8 months to do their book keeping. However, she hasn't replied and I have already agreed to the 2 months temp job, to stand in for their accountant, to do simple invoices and "daily tasks" as she called it... Besides, I have 1 week to understudy the accountant - it'll be a good learning experience. I'm both exhilarated and stressed at the same time, since I will be the only finance person in the company during her absence... After the 2 months, they may decide if they need the extra help and keep me, or I will go relieve teaching!

Cheers,
Fuda

Oh, and pst, the office is in some really old and disgusting private residence along Stevens road... So hard to find sia... And so far.. But at least its near Orchard.. haha..



Enough said about this day; I am too sentimental... Let the pictures speak the volumes of words.. =P




Back in BMT.... March 2005? yea.. Rec Eu Fai and Rec Fuda.. haha



My sister's birthday 2005... Think I was promoted le.. No idea why i look likedat.. haha..



My sister's birthday this year! Just a few days back.. See: I have painful swollen cheeks! no smiles.. =( haha...



Some time back in bunk.. So fun! Will miss the nites we spent... Even just chatting and complaining about our day..



My habitat.



Vacated.



Today, together with the new specs.



Awhile later.. On popular demand.. ha



Aiyo.. this one must be make smaller.. My swollen cheeks so ulgy.. ha.. better already though..
Oh, and I have to add, 'Rightful citizen. I've earned it!!! Hoaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!' Heard that?! Gals, heard that? haha.. But there's still reservist! You see? I call this the burden of male citizenship, of the tradition of male protection.. Dates back to blibical times even.... haiz.



Service status: NSmen!!






Went to the Esplande today... So here are some of the choice offerings...




Art? Not really sure.. But it says: Temasek, so its worth the space here! ;)



The looming figure looks like a horrifying apparition, rite?



But in this view, it offers a whole new dimension - the child is reaching out to the parent. (Pst, its on the right ah..)



Daddy, daddy!



Emotes this unspoken bond between parent and child... No?



Agape Love (My perception)



Long arms I've got!



Economic hub, striving arts community and garden city?



Art: taking a different perspective.




Duh?! Are we worried for Singaporeans or silly tourist from lilliput?! Yeah, yeah.. I hear u saying that we're trying to waive liability.. blah, blah..




In a sheltered environment, we don't get to experience much pain. However, yesterday, I ambitiously removed all 4 wisdom teeth! Best of all, I experienced the procedure under local anaesthesia; i.e. the operation site is numbed but I am fully conscious. Although my eyes were all covered, I could hear all the drilling, the cracking of some of my teeth that refuse to be removed and I could still feel some pain during the operation. In addition, I could hear the dental surgeon say that he couldn't find one of the roots of my right upper third molar. He slit my gum open, used a fibre optic instrument and still could not find it. Still sounding composed; he pushed the panic button and called for a second dentist to examine the condition, but there unfortunately were none other in the department. I was so afraid and all I could do was to commit the situation to God. Thankfully, he found the root and called off the request for another dentist to examine the situation. Phew...

After the successful operation, I could barely speak because the local anaesthetic numbed my cheeks, tongue, lips and chin. Thankfully, the dental surgeon did not hit the nerve close to my wisdom tooth which could cause the prolonged numbness and the numbness due to the anaesthetic subsided subsequently.





Self potrait of pain



My 4 third molars


After taking the pain killers, I felt much better and went to sleep, to avoid feeling any pain. However, within 6 hours, the pain was so intolerable I had to wake up. Having a job interview the next morning, I wanted to reserve the next dose of pain killers for the morning, just before the interview. Hence, I just bit on gauze to absorb blood, iced my cheeks in an attempt to reduce swelling and bore with the pain. Of course, as with all moments of vulnerability, I had to call to God.. Human nature lah.. And thankfully, the ice numbed the pain and I went back to sleep after that. Now, the pain is much less, as well as the bleeding. However, my cheeks are super swollen. And that's how I looked for my first job interview.. hahaha..



How I look normally versus the swollen state of my cheeks.. ha..
Thank God that there are no post surgery complications and complications during the surgery were overcome. Thank God that I could speak close to normally during my interview and was not in pain, I would have been too distracted otherwise. Everything that happens is permitted by God, and I believe this has been a character shaping experience.

To God be the Glory,
Fuda! =P





My uncle passed away somewhere around these 3 blocks. Walking pass these blocks to get to the army market has been a painful experience for some time. I thank God that He has given me peace and healed me from the pain of the loss.. Being able to capture this photo last Saturday stands testiment to my healed heart. =)



Haiz... Care freely being unemployed (not considering giving tuition) is so relaxing... so much so that I wish I dun have to go through all the trouble looking for a job... haha.. I'm very picky... I want a job that pays well, I only want an accounts/finance related job near the central or east and I want a job that I can gain insight about working as an accountant or working in the finance sector... Troublesome rite? I think finding this job is also very troublesome... haha.. I'm like looking through the classifieds, checking out lobangs offered by friends and searching online job agencies.. Seeking employment is such a chore... haha..

Nonetheless, on a side note, my search is a purposeful search; otherwise I wouldn't have come up with my job criteria ritez?

A meeting of minds

"I have a business opportunity for you... Want to meet up for dinner soon?" That was You Quan's sms to me a few days back. Since I was supposed to be seeking employment, we subsequently agreed to meet on Wednesday @ 1900hrs at blk 201 Mac's, somewhere near our houses.

Interestingly, he just joined an MLM which is selling the health product 'Pai Du Mei Ren Wan' which you may have heard of, since the Chinese drama series 'Zhen Qing' promoted the product. I found the name familiar too.. You Quan did not attempt to cajole me into joining him at his company because I related to him the bad experienceS I had with MLMs. So, our conversation revolved around MLMs, why there is a negative image of MLMs and building trust with prospective clients or partners. We chatted for 3 hours! Well, we also discussed about temporary jobs before lessons commence, about University plans and about employability.

The climax of the conversation lies with our eventual discussion about Science and more specifically about Physics, since we both have a strong interest in Physics. You Quan mentioned about an efficient new method to harness power from a "free vacuum", which sounded familiar to me.
'Is it about the matter and anti-matter thing?', I probed
'No... Its using em waves to harness energy..'
'Oh, it uses a dipole to harness the em wave in a "free vacuum" to produce power, is it?'
'Yah, yah..!'
'There's a lot about it on the internet.. I'm quite well read too.. *grins!*'
Not interesting? Well, the final act of our conversation was about how I believe the sciences will support intelligent design - the need for a Creator. Eventually, I shared my faith with him.. How Christ died to buy our pardon and the key purposes achieved through His death. You Quan, being the usual intellectual, asked a good question, 'Why do you believe in Jesus? As in, is it because other people believe so you believe or what?' Wow. That was a loaded question that I believe I should ask myself and reaffirm, 'Why Jesus?'

I guess that from time to time, we need to reaffirm our allegiance to Christ, to be sure of our salvation which is paid for through His death on the cross.
Philippians 2:12-13 says:
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Well of course, I answered that every individual would have their experiences and factors that led them to believing faith, but theologically, as Christians, we believe Jesus is God and because through him we receive eternal life, saved from eternal death by the act of Christ on the cross. Still, I found his question to be a simple one, yet immensely profound. 'Why Jesus? Why do YOU believe in Him.'

Cheers & God bless,
Fuda =)

the author

Gender: Male
Age: 22
DOB: 1123
Location: Singapore

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