Friday, February 29, 2008

Tampines residents have to give way to cyclists

Tampines bicycle trail



I am a resident in Tampines and has been told to give way to cyclists.





While my family was watching the news just now, my father suddenly flared up and started discussing with my mother regarding this "Give way to cyclists" rule.



Basically, pedestrians have to give way to the cyclists as and when the cyclists need to pass.






I personally feel that this rule is STUPIDLY and VAGUELY imposed.



WHY?





Last year, my grandfather was knocked down by a cyclist while he was alighting at the bus stop. The cyclist did not stop but continued to ride on ignoring the fact that he had knocked down my grandfather. My grandfather was sent to the hospital as a result of this and we never did find out who is the irresponsible cyclist.

My father also experienced the similar acts many times when he alight from the bus.




Mind you, this ALWAYS happens in Tampines. When I go to other areas, the cyclists will ride BEHIND the bus stop and USUALLY NOT at the edge of the bus stop.



Now, if the cyclist fell while riding at the edge of the bus stop, who will he cause inconvenience to?


Pedestrians, public transport users and bus captains.


Will the cyclist have to bear any responsibility for it?
I doubt.




Some, or should I say, majority of the cyclists in Tampines really have no common sense and the slightest knowledge or idea that they shouldn't ride at the edge of the bus stop where public transport users board and alight from the vehicles.





Giving way to cyclists is so common in Tampines that there are cyclists who ride their bicycles into the narrow walk way in the market and along the pathway outside the shophouses.




What do these cyclists do so that they make things convenient to themselves?

Ring the bell and pedestrians have to give way.





Now, let's think about it.



If you are knocked down by a vehicle that is not following the rules, even when the driver refuse to stop, there is a car plate number to track him down.


If you are knocked down by a bicycle, what is there for you to track the cyclist down?


On top of it, a driver has car insurance to compensate the victim, leaving records, but a cyclist may not bear the responsibility because you cannot track them down and you will never know if the cyclist had been involved in similar cases before.




I had been in various discussions with my friends regarding cyclists. The only conclusion we came to is:
"they wanted to enjoy both the rights of a pedestrian and a vehicle driver"


I ever saw cyclists riding IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.


Cyclists riding on the EXPRESSWAY is also nothing strange now.


Cyclists IGNORING THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS and just ride across the road without taking note of vehicles coming from the other side.



Sometimes I wonder, what is the Tampines bicycle trail for when the cyclists don't make use of it?

Is it for show?
Or is it because pedestrians should give way to cyclists and therefore cyclists should take advantage of it?



Our government support cyclists and construct bicycle trail.



BUT


Isn't the security and safety of the pedestrians equally important and should be considered?
Why aren't there rules to protect the pedestrians from cyclists but rules to encourage pedestrians to accommodate the cyclists?



These inconsiderate actions of cyclists definitely do not only belongs to Tampines but every single part of Singapore.



So, when will we, the pedestrians, be protected?

Monday, February 25, 2008

Faint

I almost fainted on Sunday morning. Decided to go for a jog after realising that I had been lacking in exercise for a long time. But, who knows that 2 rounds of jogging and 1 1/2 round of walking brought me such discomfort and faintness.

I practically dragged myself across the park to the HDB then to the coffee shop. I lied down on the floor for a few minutes after every few metres of walk. That just shows how uncomfortable I am.

When I decided to cross the road to the coffee shop, what I could see in front of me was only a moving road and pathway. I felt like I was rocking back and forth.

Finally I made it to the coffee shop, I sat down by the side of the road hugging my knees. A kind lady came forward and helped me to the table. She is one of the coffee shop helpers and she gave me a glass of hot water and even bought me a bottle of medicated oil. Her boss also lent me his phone to call my mum to pick me up.

My mum came and the moment she touched my hand, she realised that I was really cold as if I have no temperature. I dragged myself with her support back home.

AND

This is not the first time it happens. The first in during JC P.E. then I had similar experience during an exam and now. I really wonder what is wrong with me. Is it because of low blood pressure or what? Really had no idea.

Grandma's and Grandpa's 90th birthday vs Bro's 23rd birthday

Grandma's and Grandpa's 90th birthday

Birthday cake that I have no idea how much it weighs. It's a durian cake. Yummy.

Grandpa already went home to sleep and only grandma stayed till the end so we only sang the birthday song to her. =D




This is my eldest cousin's daughter. I think her name is Jia Yun or Jia Yin. Can't blame me for not knowing her name as this is the first time I met her since she was borned. =P I also met many of my nieces and nephews but I really don't know them so we didn't really talk. Hehe.

VS

Bro's 23rd birthday


The super mini cake that is bought off the counter at the very last minute. =P

Is he trying to cut the cake? No idea. Haha.

With my dad and mum. I didn't realized that my parents are wearing the same colour top until now. Hehe.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Flight postponed

My bro had postponed his flight. He won't be leaving today but on the 2nd of March as his student visa is still not ready. Lucky us as we can help him to celebrate his 23rd birthday and celebrate our grandpa and grandma's 90th birthday though he will miss my grandfather's birthday on the 8th March.

My grandpa and grandma will be celebrating their 90th birthday today and initially we couldn't go as we wanted to see my bro off but now we can. =)



My bro, brother and I decided to make a new mug for my dad and mum before my bro fly to Australia and it is finally done 2 days ago. I took a picture of the 2 mugs. The design is exactly the same, only the background colour is different. =) The words that you see on the mug is actually a short greeting composed by my dad using our names though my brother and my name seems to be forced into it. -.- Lol.

In case you are interested,
发发(from my dad's name)新年的横财
满满(from my mum's name)的米糠粮仓
鸿(from my bro's name)运当头福满门
淑琳(my name)俊翔(my brother's name)齐恭贺
新年快乐



---
Wan Xin said I seems to gain weight as my face looks rounder in one of the pictures. Is that so? I really didn't put on weight. Lol. Though I wish.

---
Watching "L Changes the World" today before birthday celebration. =)

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Bro leaving on 23rd

My bro will be leaving on the 23rd February. Tickets are booked and most of the things are ready.

But before he leaves from Australia, together with my younger brother, we will be watching
"L Changes the World".

J-drama (MUST watch)

1 Litre of Tears - Sad storyline of a girl diagnosed with a rare disease that has no cure to it to now. Although she was dying and viewed as an 'alien' by the public, both her family and herself did their best to live life to the fullest. She started writing in the diary ever since she was suspected of having the illness. The diary is a source of energy and encouragement to many patients till date. This is based on a true story and please prepare as many tissues with you as possible.

Fugoh Keiji - Detective based comedy. The new police officer is the only granddaughter of a millionaire. She is always dressed in expensive clothings and jewellery, and her upper-class attitude always get on the nerve of her fellow colleagues that are dominated by males. In order to solve various crimes, she resorted to using special means which usually meant using her grandfather's wealth. Despite that, she can always solve these crimes.

Galileo - Scientific based detective story. When a genius scientist and a rookie cop comes together, what do you get? Supernatural cases becoming murder. The rookie cop always come across mysterious supernatural cases which she needs the help of the genius scientist who does not shows any interest in them unless it is something that science cannot define. If you love mystery and science, you will love this.

Gokusen - School comedy. If you have a teacher who is actually the heir of the notorious yakuza clan, will you be scared or glad? For the students in 3D, they are glad. The teacher is the first to understand that they only look devilish but is actually extremely kind. They are not smart but extremely united. Whenever the students meet any problems, the teacher will step in to help them in regardless of whether she may be remove from being a teacher. Despite being a comedy, you may also have to prepare some tissue beside you as there are scenes that are very touching.

Hotaru no Hikari - Romance comedy. An office lady who looks glamourous at work is the extreme opposite after work. She laze around her rented house in her old trainers and does not bother to clean up the house. When the son of the owner came back to inspect the house, he was in a shock to find his father's house in a mess and lying underneath the newspaper is his subordinate. Having separated from his wife, he has no choice but to stay in his father's house with his subordinate.

Kurosagi - In this world, there are 3 types of swindlers. The one who defrauds others' money is Shirosagi, those who swindle by manipulating others' feelings is Akasagi and the last who uses Shirosagi and Akasagi as his source of food is Kurosagi. A young man who lost his family after his father was swindled by a Shirosagi became the one and only Kurosagi in order to take revenge against the ones who destroyed his home and others. He swindle the money from these other swindlers and return the amount that was swindled from the victims back to them and keep the rest. He meets a law student who disapproves of his actions, can she persuade him to stop swindling?

Mop Girl - A fantasy and mystery comedy. A low ranking employee in a funeral service company possesses the ability to go back in time to save the victims from death by coming in contact with the possessions of the dead who left strong feelings behind.

Remote - Locked away deep in his home and hiding a secret that keeps him there is Detective Himuro who remains vigilant in his duties of police work. Being a detective that does not step out of the basement, he investigate the crime scenes via mobile phone with his new subordinate, Kurumi, who will act as his eyes and ears at the crime scene. Together they solve many mind-boggling murderer mysteries that put mainly Kurumi in constant danger. Can Kurumi keeps up with Detective Himuro in his fast-paced and dangerous work of criminal investigation?

&

Definitely NODAME CANTABILE!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Classical

I am so in love with orchestra music now.

Watched a Japanese drama that is fantastic a few days before CNY. It is "Nodame Cantabile", also known as "Concerto Love".

The shows has a lot of orchestra music and classical pieces played throughout. It is incredible. Though I know nuts about classical music, I can tell a lot of effort had been made to make this drama. I highly recommend it to all of you who may or may not like classical music. This show brings out music in a humorous way. Not forgetting the good looking leads.

Synopsis

Based on the hit comic book by Tomoko Ninomiya, this is a fun-filled quirky romantic story of two very opposite people.

Megumi Noda, or “Nodame” is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a kindergarten teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend’s lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies.

Shinichi Chiaki, is Momogaoka’s top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multi-lingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy, he feels mired in Japan because of a childhood phobia.

They meet by accident. Nodame quickly falls in love, but it takes much longer for Chiaki to even begin to appreciate Nodame’s unusual qualities. Their relationship causes them both to develop and grow. Because of Nodame, Chiaki got the opportunity to lead a student orchestra and begins to have a broader appreciation of people's musical abilities. Because of Chiaki, Nodame faces her fears and enters a piano competition. Opportunities open up as both begin taking risks, stretching themselves far more than they ever thought possible.


Friday, February 8, 2008

Day 2

A lot of people came to my house today. Starting from 12noon, families after families started pouring into my house. Only until 10pm then did it stop.

I believe at least 50 came today. My house is always packed on the second day of new year. It is a kind of practice already. People will come to my house to visit my grandparents and the living room will be full with no place for us to sit except the floor.

This is what happens when you come from an extended and big family. We are close to my grandfather's brothers and god-brothers therefore every year we are packed.

Staying at home today earned me 6 'ang baos' and yesterday 22. Not the usual standard as we did not meet quite a lot of aunties from my maternal side. Luckily, I received 8 on new year from my immediate uncles, aunties, grandparents and parents. Hehe. Grand total of 36 on the second day. =P

However, today isn't a very good day to entertain the guests as my brother and I are sneezing away the whole day. I have a feeling that the 2 of us may be down with the same flu virus. -.-

I am feeling sleepy now. Off I go. Bye.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Day 1

Had to visit 6 places on the first day as the second day is when relatives visit my house.

Some pictures to summarise the day.

Dressed up and took a picture with my younger brother and my cousin in the background.


My younger brother took a picture of me with my bro in the background. Hehe.
Cutie at one of my granduncle's house.

End of the day.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Happy New Year


新年快乐

恭祝大家
鼠年旺旺
事事如意
身体健康

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Taiwan celebrities mocking Singaporeans

There is this recent angry discussion on some Taiwan celebrities mocking at our English.

They were trying to imitate and add in their own 'spices' in the way we pronounce certain words at certain occasions.

Eg: "Thanks" as "dance" or "dense".


It brought about a group of Singaporeans attacking the one who started the topic.


I watched the whole episode of that particular topic and realized that the guy cannot speak English very well. In fact, he only knows a few words and cannot form a proper sentence. This guy, being the only one whose blog is more popularly known among viewers had been bombed with many harsh comments that were purposefully constructed in English to mock back at him.

I personally feel that those who commented to get back at him are just picking on someone weaker. I mean he isn't the only one who tried to imitate, there are more of those who did far worst than what he had done. So why is he the only one being attacked.

It is not that I am not proud of myself being a Singaporean but one must learn to forgive and forget. Besides, no point ruining another's new year.

Since he had already apologized on his blog, let's forget it all.

It is time for new year so let the past passes and enjoy a prosperous new year. =)

My bro

My bro will be leaving Singapore in less than 10 days time to Australia to take his degree. He will be there for 2 years and although he will be back at the end of the year, but I still feel that I will miss him a lot, especially after my younger brother enlist.

Soon, I will be all alone in the room. Sob. T.T

Yan Ting's 21st

Pictures will come in at a later time.


Yan Ting's 21st had been planned since November last year when the idea of giving her a surprise suddenly popped up in my head.


Being all excited, I started carrying out all the plans with Shi Yun and Jia Ying.


The first move was to get Yan Ting's bf, Lincoln's, number. We intended to ask Lincoln to ask Yan Ting out on her actual birthday or the day after and bring her to our BBQ pit at East Coast where a group of us will be ready to celebrate and create a memorable 21st birthday for her.

Somehow, things did not go according to plan. Firstly, Yan Ting's family, cousins and poly friends could not make it. Then Lincoln sent in a bad news of having night duty on the BBQ date. Immediately we activated Plan B. That is to ask her out and discreetly bring her to our pit.


On the actual day, Jia Ying and I went to get some food and drinks before we headed to BBQ Wholesale to collect the food. It was a disaster. There were far too many food for us, the 2 poor girls. No taxi in sight and rain was falling mercilessly.

A sms came in.
"Yan Ting is sick."


I thought I heard the thunder roared when I read that message. A surprise birthday party with no birthday girl is not a birthday party at all.

I called her immediately and was forced to tell her that we had a surprise for her and asked her to try to come if she felt better later on.

With the food and rain, Jia Ying and I finally managed to hail a cab and get to East Coast. The problem was then to get to the BBQ pit that we had no idea where it was. Walking a long stretch along the coastline of East Coast, we almost dropped dead and finally saw Shi Yun with the holy ring above her head(exaggerating a bit here). =P With the help of Shi Yun, we finally managed to get to our pit and the journey took us a whole hour.

As people came, we had to break the bad news of the birthday girl being sick and not being able to come. Then someone decided to give her a call and trick her to get to the pit.

It worked, she came in spite of not feeling well. The party ended soon after she went home and thanks god it was all well.

This morning, Jia Ying came over to my house where we started to make the photo album for Yan Ting. Photos and album all ready except for captions and decorations. We spent almost 4 hours to make the album and I sent it to Yan Ting's place in the evening. I have no idea whether she has saw the album or not yet as I haven't receive anything from her.

I really hope that she likes the surprise. =)

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Extremely exhausted

I had been mentally stressed up these days to prepare for Yan Ting's 21st birthday party.


My hands are aching from carrying several kilograms of raw food from Mc'donalds all the way to the other side of East Coast Park.


There are many hiccups that made us really disappointed and all but luckily our effort did not go to waste.


I have many to thank for helping out today and making the effort to come and wish Yan Ting.


Will do a proper update tomorrow. In the meantime, I need to start Plan B.

 
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