Old Changi Hospital

Went to recce OCH today with bro. Main gate was locked and the side gate was fenced up....so we couldn't go in. Actually, a friend has already told us that the authorities has already installed CCTVs in the compound. Having worked in a security company, I guess I more or less know how it worked. Yes, security guard is not needed. CCTVs are ok provided they don't have intrusion detector. Once the detector detects an intruder, signals will be sent back to the security company managing the compound who will then contact the owner. Once intrusion is confirmed, police will be called.

Anyway, since we can't enter the compound and I was craving for roti prata, we went for supper instead. Actually, I was craving more for laksa with see hum (aka. cockles) but having laksa for supper is pretty strange. So I dropped the idea.

Prior to all those Changi activities, he came to my place to help me fix up the black background for my little tank. If I were to do it myself, I would create a big mess. I don't even dare to tell him that after we parted, I tried to fix the filter on my own and the base loosen allowing the water to come gushing out on my table. As if wetting my stationery once wasn't enough, I tried it again and wet my stuffs the second time! But I'm not giving up....I'll surely try that again some other times. Someday, I'll succeed in fixing the filter....I'm sure.

Zoo Zoo Zoo

It's been a long time since I last step foot into the zoo. Since there's free corporate passes from a friend, I thought why not take the opportunity to see if there's any changes. I even baked some cookies for the trip :) Not my best because the oven is new. It was my first time using it today and the temperature control is abit weird. Nonetheless, managed to take them out before they burn. Next round, cupcakes...but mum wanted creampuff. Hey, I'm not a baker you know! I kept one box for a friend who insisted he wanted the cookies even the left overs. Alright! You got it!

Invited my bro on Monday (coz I remembered him asking me why is it that I have never ask him out ^_^ so I thought since he likes trekking, we can trek in the zoo). Anyway, he said that he is not comfortable with the group but added that he will let me know the answer on Tuesday. Hearing that, I know his answer is a NO. But I prefer to hear it from his own mouth. It's already Friday and I still haven't heard from him. LOL. I think I am darn good reading him :p Anyway, at least he can't say that I don't ask him out anymore, coz I did!

Got to get to bed now....if not, 9.30am at the zoo will not be possible :>

A rose by any other name....

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.

Romeo & Juliet (William Shakespeare)

Picture Archives: A Cat's Life

In a cat's life. We get a rubber mouse,
a shoe string, or a butterfly to play with.
In a cat's life. We get names like Sylvester,
Felix, Tom And Jerry, Morris, and Garfield.
In a cat's life. We chase hamsters, mice, and
rats, anything loose, with a string attached.
In a cat's life. We like a big bowl of warm milk.
Crunchy cat food nuggets. All filled with love.
We like tuna oil, and tuna fish, and goldfish.
Straight from the living room fish tank.
In a cat's life. We like to curl up next to our master,
like a fluffy pillow, weeping willow on a sofa bed.
In a cat's life. We take off our mittens and botties.
As we leave our paw prints in the muddy soil.
In a cat's life.

By Kim Robin Edwards
Copyright 2011

Libra and Scorpio

I was trying to find the reason why we broke off last time. So I thought, horoscope would be a good platform to start. This is what I got...according to my iphone app.

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This pairing can be described as dynamics, with the ruling planets Venus and Mars creating a love match. Scorpio has a tendency to be attracted to the sensual side of Libra's personality. Libra, on the other and, will instantly recognize the more introspective side of Scorpio. However, there will be some obstacles to overcome in this union. You prefer open social arrangements, while Scorpio is possessive and could have problems with certain social interactions that you may be interested in. You may also feel that they demand too much out of this relationship. You will have to deal with the jealousy of Scorpio and you will need to apply your diplomacy skills heavily in order to deal with it. Scorpio is intrigued by the essence and paradox of human nature, and complex Libra will usually attract Scorpio, nevertheless this does not mean that this combination is particularly successful. Libra though is probably the only sign that is able to penetrate and stimulate the tough exterior of Scorpio. This pairing is bound to have a certain amount of financial security. The two of you are quite adept at making and investing money appropriately. You should also be aware that Scorpio can sometimes break into periods of silent treatment, which can be quite agonizing for your nature.
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Totally agree with the break into silent treatment part. And mind you, there's absolutely no reason for the silent treatment! He just disappears and comes back as if nothing had happened. I can deal with the jealousy and the possessive part. I mean, just pamper him abit every now and then and all's fine. BUT the disappearing part definitely drove me nuts!

Picture Archives: The Microphone

This is the symbol of an artist that expresses their soul when they recite
Lyrics, harmonies or melodies when they touch a mic...
Legends & Icons gave us their greatest talents and ideas into songs
Which transformed into memories that can forever live on...
Speeches of leaders that immortalized them into history
With such words to inspire their audience spiritually...
Or emotionally uplift people, to make them apart of your artistic movement
Whether if it is for a purpose or just to touch us through their music...
With the voices of charisma that can move the crowd
The microphone amplified that message through the speakers very loud...
Loud enough to grasp the attention of their listeners
A true lyricist get a peaceful feeling that flows through them that lingers...
Just like the butterflies that are in nervous singers
That heart that beats that anxiety and they start to whisper...
Then they touch the microphone and feel that sense of clam
Once that microphone is clutched in their palm...
The microphone is the symbol of an artist or a leader to express their soul when they recite
Lyrics, harmonies, melodies or speeches when they touch a mic...

Rebelwisdom1071 aka Mr. Best
© Poetikanimashun 1BC

Mama shrimp gave birth to mini shrimps

Yeah! I've got mini shrimps now! They are really small and difficult to find. I was actually searching for my snail when I saw those tiny ones. So happy!!! Of course the sad thing is, another is gone. It's hiding in the bushes and not moving so I reckon it's dead. Worst of all, there are lots of odd looking worms in all shapes and sizes in the tank. I think Coco, my water slug, brought friends. Though not alot, I cannot guarantee that they won't grow. Hope they don't harm my shrimps coz I don't know how to get rid of 'em worms :p

Picture Archives : Rows of chairs

Found some photos in my archives and thought I'd post it here for the amusement of my readers. I'll try to find some poems or inspirational notes to tag along with the pics. Enjoy the first of the series :)

Never did I feel a pull to your people
as I sat in straight rows of chairs,
absorbing the litany of my elders
as they passed judgment over you.

Never could I feel the pain
your people felt from the many
straight rows of words
that robbed you of your past,
your present, your future,
as they passed into law.

Never can I think of your people again
in our cold and linear way,
knowing that my reference has been
on a bias sloping downward,

Since I sat in and listened to
your circle of chairs
and heard from your own lips
your honest voices, without malice
and saw on the leaf strewn floor
the panorama of your spirit.

by TimJ

Northern Island tour

Back from a series of northern island tours. First we were at Sungei Buloh and then some farms nearby which I forgot coz I wasn't able to check in as my beloved phone set my network to Celcom and I wasn't able to change it back to a Singapore network. Dying to visit the goat farm but we arrived too late and it closed operations for the day. I guess I'm probably the only Singaporean who hasn't been to the goat farm. Pathetic right? *sigh*. I think my favorite guy pitied me and is trying his best to tour us (specifically me) around the island that I grew up in.

There's alot of firsts for me today. First time to Sungei Buloh, aeroponics whatever farm, farmart, ampang yong tau fu, mandai trek. If there is a suaku award, I'll definitely get it. For the sake of my non-singaporean readers, Suaku (adj) is in reference to someone who is a country bumpkin. Eg. You've never taken an aeroplane before? Very suaku! Anyway, today's trek was a comfortable one...not very tiring also. With so much talks about Sungei Buloh, I was actually expecting more but other than trees and huge lizards, there's absolutely nothing to boast about. Ubin would be a better choice to look at nature up close and personal.

3 cheers to my awesome bro for arranging this. It must have been hard thinking of where to go on this tiny island...but he did it with flying colors. So proud of him.....*big big hugz*.

My favorite is gone

The biological functions of my Neocaridina heteropoda has been terminated pre-maturely this morning (ie. my shrimp died). And it happens to be one of my favorites. The very pretty one. Shrimps are dying one after another and even my snail ran away from home. Am I that bad? :( I feed them regularly. At an appointed time, some will gather at the front of the tank to wait for food. Did I over feed? I only feed them once a day and I didn't even touch the water. Not sure what has gone wrong. I hope there's no more death from now on. What is worst is that mamas are not breeding. Babies has been inside them for quite some time already :(

Anyway, it's Sungei Buloh trekking tomorrow!! I have cancelled my 2pm appointment. I love trekking so anything else can wait. I should probably sleep early today...hmmm......

Weird boy

I met a very weird boy recently. I am beginning to wonder if he is working too hard or he has so many friends that he don't remember what he actually said to me. Whatever it is, I prefer to believe it's the first reason....worked too hard.

On Sep 14 (4.09pm), he asked if I want to go for night trekking. At 4.15pm, I replied that I want. Hearing no news from him, I texted him again at 8.06pm asking if there is any more trekking. He responded at 8.06pm saying that a certain friend said that if it's Saturday night, he want. This weird boy added at 8.09pm that it's confirm Saturday and maybe we can go for dinner too if we want. I responded at the same time that I'm ok with the arrangement and that he discuss with that certain friend.

On Sep 16 (12.27am), this weird guy asked what I'll be doing on Saturday. (My heart skipped a bit. And all those questions marks on my head almost smashed down and killed me. I wanted to respond with 'What do you mean what I'll be doing on Saturday??? I thought we had a confirmed activity???' But I didn't want to be nasty and I guess, my existence only came into place when the coach decides to get the reserves (which is me) out in the field to replace the main player who is tired. Anyway, I replied at 12.28am that I'll be trekking with him (hopefully that will ring a bell...but well...it didn't..lol). He responded almost immediately that they are going to Sungei Buloh and asked if I'm keen to join. (Narrator: this is the part where I get really confused because as far as I know, Sungei Buloh does not open at night. So just to make sure that I catch the ball, I went on to ask if it's a pre-night trek activity or that's the trekking activity itself). Anyway to cut the story short, I reminded him that the other time when he was talking to me about the trek, it was a night trek. He replied at 12.30am that it cannot be coz Sungei Buloh is not open at night.

The entire conversation really made me look stupid. As if I made the whole thing up. This is one character flaw of mine I need to change. I always take people's words seriously....I believe it's time I learn to take words like a pinch of salt. Else, I'll end up miserable and I'm not suppose to be miserable.

Anyway, for this case...I choose to believe that he didn't forget about me or about what we communicated. He was just teasing me. I'm his sis, how can he possibly forget me right? I'm suppose to be his confidante!!! I'm giving myself up to 11am to be upset and petty. When I open my eyes later, I must already let this issue go.

I'm a Yellow

Did a Color Code Personality test the other day....yup, I can't remember which day but someday...and got this result. Quite interesting, I should say. But not sure how true this can be. Anyway, here's the result.

Yellows (Motive: Fun)

Yellows are motivated by Fun. They are inviting and embrace life as a party that they're hosting. They love playful interaction and can be extremely sociable. They are highly persuasive and seek instant gratification. Yellows need to be adored and praised. While yellows are carefree, they are sensitive and highly alert to others' agendas to control them. Yellows typically carry within themselves the gift of a good heart.

Yellows need to look good socially, and friendships command a high priority in their lives. Yellows are happy, articulate, engaging of others and crave adventure. Easily distracted, they can never sit still for long. They embrace each day in the "present tense" and choose people who, like themselves, enjoy a curious nature. Yellows are charismatic, spontaneous, and positive; but can also be irresponsible, obnoxious, and forgetful. When you deal with a YELLOW, take a positive, upbeat approach and promote light-hearted, creative, and fun interactions.

Lost and found: Snail Episode

My snail ran away from home last night when I slept. I panicked when I realised that it wasn't in the tank anymore. The first thing I do when I wake up everyday is to go to my tank of seafood and say hi. Imagine my shocked when I did a roll call and one item went missing. Thank goodness I activated my rescue party (ie. my dog) who found my snail stuck to one of the drawers. My dog is a fantastic hunter dog for lizards, roaches, bugs...etc but this is the first time she need to hunt for snail and I'm impressed! She deserves a good pat on her head for a job well done.

I think it's very happy to be home. When I finally put it back to the tank, it was happily hugging the sand. It was trying to grab as many as possible. I thought it was trying to kiss home ground. The grass is not always greener on the other side. I hope my snail learns it's mistake. Home is still the best.

As if not enough snail story for the day, I had Escargot for dinner. I'm not really an Escargot person but since someone ordered, I'll just take. I'm a libra so I'm better known for doing all I could to maintain peace. You will never see me in a big argument. So if majority orders something I don't like, I will still eat :) Still not a fan of Escargot though....I felt like I was eating my own pet.

Movie: Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi

It's the 19th Israel Film Festival so a friend suggested watching Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi. I was quite apprehensive initially because it's in Hebrew and of course, that's the hardest possible language to learn...which means, I didn't learn it! Which also leads me to not being able to understand...and so I thought. I chose to go in the end coz I was dying for group outings...oh alright, high I people are too sociable to be left alone. Anyways, the movie proves to be worth watching and best of all, it came with English subtitles after about 10 minutes into the show. The fella in the projection room forgot to on the subtitles. Love how humor was injected into the show at the right time and it got teary towards the end when grandpa died. The entire story unfolded steadily. It is no wonder that this movie has a list of Nominations and Awards to it's name: Nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Film, Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress at 2003 Israeli Film Academy Awards.

Anyway, I found a cute guy sitting next to me on my way to the movie theatre. As I couldn't resist cute guys, I was so tempted to give him a big big smooch if not for the fact that he is my bro! hahaha....shucks isn't it? Oh well, that's life *grin*....*BIG GRIN* Damn, he looks good in office wear...white top somemore!

Disclaimer: Face not revealed to protect the victim and no animals and/or cocoa beans were used in the production of this photo.

Shrimps new changing room

And so, after less than a week, my cute little pets have found a place they could change. Not sure why but most of them prefers that corner of the tank. I saw one fella molting earlier today but I was too late. When I manage to get the camera, greenie finished molting! Nonetheless, I took a picture of their changing room.I even caught a picture of mama shrimp playing with the eggs in her tummy. It just went up and down her legs. I wonder why she does that.The shrimps are so cute. It is just so awesome watching them eat, fight and dart from one end of the tank to another. Nope, it's not a huge tank...it's a nano tank. I've even put a low chair infront of the tank. It's my viewing gallery :p

Contagion - Bacteria Billboard

This is one of the largest petri dish I've ever come across!!! Pictures Canada teamed up with microbiologists and immunologists from around the world to create a one-of-a-kind bacteria message board located at 409 Queen Street West in an abandoned store-front window. On August 28th, two large Petri dishes were inoculated with live bacteria including penicillin, mold and pigmented bacteria and almost overnight have revealed the true Contagion -- an artistic interpretation of the spread of a virus as depicted in the film. Yucks!!!!!

Passing of a shrimp and new shrimps on board

One of my shrimps passed away today. I don't know why. It could be because I wasn't a good owner. I mean, if my terrapin, hamster and cactus could die on me...why not a shrimp? It's quite discouraging that my shrimp died a day after being in my care. Nonetheless, the more I look at it, the more it reminds me of prawn noodles. Except that this would be a really tiny bowl.So to encourage me and to replace my dead shrimp, my favorite guy gave me 8 more shrimps and they are green...abit translucent too.On top of the new shrimps, he also gave me shrimp food. I tried to give to my pets and they love it. This picture shows them feasting.
They love to share. Look! They are sharing foodLearn something new today. So a shrimp changing clothes is called Molting! I always thought that molting has got something to do with melting. Today's the 2nd day and I've found 2 transparent clothes.

Upon the arrival of the shrimps, I have started to read up on other shrimps. Some links were from that cutesy bro (yah, my favorite guy...the one with the dimples) and some were from my best friend, google! I hope they survived and breed so that I can have a whole tank full of colorful shrimps! I've even got Christmas decorations for the tank :) My pet shrimps are going to celebrate Christmas ^_^

Shrimps have moved in

He delivered the shrimps and their friends to me today!! Now my tank is complete. I was given otto the algae eating fish, bumble bee snail, rili shrimp, cherry shrimp, sakura shrimp and fire red shrimp. 2 of them are preggy so in a week or 2, I will have cute shrimplets in my tank! Thank you 哥哥! I will surely give you the best brother award for giving me such a well-thought and interesting advance pressie :)

Wanted to give them names. Infact, I have got names for 5 shrimps already. But because you outgive the number you told me initially, I couldn't name them anymore. There were too many of them and I can't recognise which is which as some of them were really similar. Just love watching them torpedo from one side of the tank to the other end...and the shocking look on otto's face. So cute!

Durian mooncake

This Black gold 100% durian mooncake from Home' s Favorite is yummy! The durian paste reminded me of the durian puree I once had in Sheraton Towers that got me hooked on to durians. From someone who doesn't enjoy the after taste of durians to turn into a durian lover is a big thing....at least to me. I don't detest it, I simply didn't like the taste. A trip to Sheraton Towers changed my life forever. Oh alright, I was merely trying to be dramatic. It didn't change my life forever. It did, however, changed my views about durians. It's not that disgusting after all :)

The black gold 100% durian mooncake looks horribly ugly on the outside but taste amazingly heavenly. As the old saying goes "do not judge the book by it's cover"...it is true even for food! I repent for stereotyping ugly things.

The plants moved in

That kind soul delivered the plants to my place today despite being sick (so touched...see, I'm easily touched). Interestingly, it came with one mini (3mm) water slug (I think it is a water slug coz it's a slug, and it's in the water) and one mini transparent shrimp smaller than the 3mm slug. I thought they were part of the pressie but unfortunately, they were found to be illegal immigrants (the owner aka that kind soul didn't even know they hitched a ride). Well, I adopted them anyway. Now that I've poured all the contents into my tank, I couldn't find my pet slug and mini shrimp anymore. I hope they are still in the tank!!!

I was told that the shrimps couldn't move in until bacteria has grown coz shrimp eats bacteria and bacteria eats plants....or something like that. So I have to wait again. This is one area I'm not scoring well...the waiting game. I wonder if there is anything that can speed up bacteria growth...hmmm....

New tank

I got a new nano tank today....or should I say yesterday! Thanks to the generosity of a kind soul who probably think that my room has too many fluffy fake animals and needed some live stock to balance up. He said that it would take a few weeks of preparation before the shrimps can move in to stay. Geez....it was like that when I moved into this place. Need some reno and painting and the lot. So I guess shrimps are like human...they need a pretty place to stay in. So for the start, this is how it looks like on day 1.I thought it'd be fun to have someone else join in as well so there goes Elmo...don't worry, he is behind the tank, not inside...so no stuff toys were harmed in the process.I am so looking forward to have a family of shrimps. Please pardon my child-likeness....this is the first time I have shrimps as pets instead of having them as meals. I've even got names for them already....

Smurfs!!!

Now that the presidential election is over, I can start to catch up with my job and have a little bit of life's enjoyment. Smurfs is showing!! Wanted to catch it since the time I saw the trailer. It didn't help that the iphone game, Smurf Village, kept on directing me to the movie page.

On 2nd September, I finally got to watch it with 2 of my good friends. We had wanted to try out the IMAX experience but didn't get the chance because IMAX wasn't showing Smurfs. Nonetheless, we did manage to watch the 3D version. It wasn't like what we thought. In fact, it was better! We were expecting a kiddy show with no story line. We were indeed surprise that it was well scripted and directed. Love how it ended with a message of family. And how someone became a hero in the end. It doesn't matter if you don't succeed a 100 times because the moment you do, everyone in your family rejoices.

Now that I've finally watch my Smurfs movie to satisfy my childhood smurfs cartoon crave, I can sleep well hence forth :)