Monday, August 09, 2010

Five Fingers Arising

Actually wanted to do something special but lots of planning is needed and the entry might become too long. It cannot be broken into separate parts also. Anyway let's leave it to next time when I feel like doing (I've a strong feeling that the time will never come).

My 3-month internship has come to an end and a new semester is starting again. A shift from one battlefield to another haha. Really hoping for ideal results in tutorial balloting so that I can secure a free day. However this semester may prove to be as busy as the last. The nightmarish lab sessions (or rather the reports) are here again, and for the nth time I've managed to beat the odds by not being able to group up with JH, who is just next to me on the name list.

I've completed most of the missions I aimed to accomplish in FF13. Now I'm ready and prepared to face schoolwork. It's probably another 4 years wait or so for the next FF. By then I'll become a working adult cum addicted gamer. No school holidays for me to utilize and chiong finish the game. =(

Before I forget let's wish Singapore a happy birthday. See how loyal I am by not going overseas for SEP. =p

Since my first experience watching fireworks display some years ago, I yearn to watch it every year without fail. The beautiful bright sparks in the night sky, together with the blast that reverberates right into the heart, combine to give an indescribable feeling of thrill and excitement. You don't get such feel just by looking at photographs or watching videos of fireworks, no matter how well-taken they are.

The weather seems fine today. Looking forward to a fantastic display of sights and sounds later. =)

Since this year's National Day theme is about our flag, do you know what the 5 stars on the flag represent? Some of you are probably trying to recite the pledge now. It makes me wonder how we were able to memorize this passage word by word without understanding it's meaning during primary school.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Ongoing Fantasy

The main reason why I haven’t been tending to my blog these few days is not because I’m lazy, but because I’m currently preoccupied in an RPG game called Final Fantasy XIII. (What an excuse!)

I’m sure most people have heard about Final Fantasy (FF), which is the most successful RPG series in the gaming realm. It has already progressed to the 13th installment! The most well-received and highly rated FF game would be FF7, which is released in 1997 Its touching storyline and captivating gameplay led many gamers to start playing the FF series and follow up the installments. It attracted the most fans and thanks to it, FF is able to gain recognition and popularity up till today.
This is the theme music of FF7. This popular overture has been performed by many orchestras. The beautiful tune still warms my heart till today.



However, my journey with FF did not start with FF7. The game mechanics were too difficult for me to comprehend at that time. (kept getting Game Over) I started with FF8 much later, before playing FF7 next. The most prominent aspect of FF8 to the general public would be its theme song. It was sung by Faye Wong, titled ‘Eyes On Me’, which still can be heard over the radio today.

This is the MV of the theme song. You would probably appreciate this song more if you had played the game before.



Then I proceeded to FF9, after confiding in the FF series. I am not like those ardent fanboys who will buy and play the game immediately after its release. But the problem is, the moment I start playing, I will get addicted to it quickly. I will have the urge to progress the game until completion. Furthermore I am quite a perfectionist when it comes to RPG – I will try to complete every side mission, collect every item, battle every optional bosses, and attempt to excel in the gameplay without missing anything. This can be rather time consuming, so the addiction basically sucks most of my time for a month or so, depending on how fast I finish the game.

This FF9 theme ranks as my favourite MV of all. Like I said, you’ll appreciate the video more if you had played the game. But anyway, just watch the video if you like.



Since FF10, the characters have become more realistic. Watching the cut-scenes feels like being in a movie. No more polygonal structures and cartoony characters. Characters have voices now, so you can really feel their emotions. Being immersed in the beautifully created world greatly enhances the playing experience. FF10 is indeed a huge step above the previous ones, though some people claimed that the plot was comprised as a result.

The most romantic game MV I’ve ever seen haha.



I don’t think I will ever pay to play MMORPGs. In case if you don’t know, MMORPG refers to online RPG, usually associated with its mindless and time consuming activity of leveling up the characters, such as Maplestory. FF11 made a breakthrough in the series by being a MMORPG. However people like me didn’t mind giving it a miss. Even though my bro used to playing this game actively, it didn’t interest me at all.

Introduction to FF11. If I were you, I would skip this video haha.



FF12 is one of the few video games I bought for myself. I bought it to reward myself after my first JLPT attempt haha. (another excuse!) Other than the battle system, I don’t have much memories about this game unfortunately. The story is too forgettable. Either that or I completed the game too fast for it to leave any impression. (since I was so free during NS)



After 4 years, the long wait for the next game in the series has ended. FF13 is my first RPG played entirely in Japanese, thanks to my bro who travelled to Japan. Relieved that I was able to understand 90% of the dialogue with Japanese subtitles. However reading the names of items and spells was a little difficult. Most of them only make sense in English but not in Japanese haha. Aiming to complete the main game before the new semester starts.



Wonder how far can the FF series continue. Will it ever reach FF20? As long as there is demand from the gamers, the developer can always capitalize on this popular brand.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Random Images

Was organising my photos when I discovered a lot of interesting pictures that I've saved over the years. It would be a waste not to share with anyone. So here they are. I might have posted some before though, can't remember which.


Yes... 玉出 in Japanese really reads as 'tamade', but not in a way we normally say.


The waitresses are not doing their job! Haha...


How is this structure even possible?? (Actually there's a trick behind this...)


Seow Char Bor(s)


夏雪 really got so inspiring meh?!


Best Actress...


Best Supporting Actress... (not for this show though)


Poor thing.


That NDP pic reminds me of this drama...


This new denomination of Singapore's currency was invented few years ago.


What are children learning nowadays?!

Friday, July 02, 2010

The Concrete Garden

It has quite some time since I posted my own photos. I shall post a few (a lot) of them which I've just transferred to my computer. Wished that uploading of photos in blogspot could be much easier.

Hi, I'm a golden retriever. Look at how cute I am!


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The following photos were taken from a very high place. It should be pretty obvious where it is. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. =) (*click on picture to enlarge*)

There was no one picnicking but I saw someone lying down on the floor and reading a book. Isn't that very distracting with so many visitors walking about?


Marina Barrage can be seen at a distance. Feel like flying kite there again haha. And what's the shell-like structure at the foreground?


Sadly the Changi Airport Control Tower can't be seen from here. Probably the weather was not clear enough. Planes could be seen landing though.


That stretch of greenery along the sea is East Coast Park. The patch of land in front will become a garden in the future. (Gardens at the Bay)


Smooth traffic in the ECP. No accidents =)


A good spot to watch NDP. Too bad it's at Padang this year. Another wacky structure at the foreground.


The iconic skyline of Singapore. That's what I like about this place: It's not too close to the other skyscrapers so the view won't be obstructed, and not too far such that the buildings can't be seen clearly. Just right to give an overview of the city urban landscape.


The sky is getting dark. And the anchored ships offshore are illuminated really brightly.


Looks like those kind of photos on postcards. =p (Am I complimenting myself?)


Dark clouds are looming! By the way a refund can be claimed if it rains within one hour after entry. (Hmm...How big must the rain be?)


The Flyer is dwarfed by the roof. I wonder who will pay for the ride now, considering it is more expensive and the time is limited. Moreover a carriage only spends a minute or so at the highest point of the cycle.


A perfect spot to watch fireworks. Hope there will be Fireworks Festival this year...


Be careful not to fall off the edge when swimming!


What a classy pool. There are even poolside beds too. Wonder what happens if the cushions drop into the water haha.


If you feel that the photos aren't doing any justice to the view, you can watch the videos I've taken. The videos will probably give you a better idea of how the view is like. (No need to visit there liao haha)











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Let's compare to the view from another very high point.

Singapore's busy port. Resort World Sentosa can be seen at a distance.


A giraffe zoo with many colourful lego blocks.


If I were to live here, I would jog at this roof garden everyday.


A bird's-eye view of Chinatown.


The iconic skyline from another angle. The traditional shophouses at the foreground contrast with the modern skyscrapers at the background.


We're supposed to see Marina Bay Sands in this direction, but the view is blocked by several buildings. So many buildings under construction in the Raffles Place/Marina area.

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Yup that's all for my photos. Hope you will start appreciating Singapore's urban landscape after looking at these pictures/videos.

No more pics liao....haiz.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

School Nostalgia IV

Wow the last instalment was way back in February 2009. Actually I had a lot of ideas at that time, but lazy to pen down, so I eventually forgot over time. Let’s dive into the nostalgia of my school days again. =)

I think everyone has the experience of being punished in school right? Since everyone may make mistakes after all. As we go higher up in education, we will be probably punished less and less often. Or rather, the ‘punishment’ changes form to what we call ‘penalty’. For example, 10 marks will be deducted for late submission.

In this entry, I’ll talk about physical punishments we are subjected to in school. No, not corporal punishment like caning, or army-style push-ups. Just some mild ones which teachers will give in class for minor problems like poor behaviour or forgetfulness. This applies mainly for primary school.


Happy New Year Pull Your Ear

It isn’t that bad if we were to do it ourselves, since we’ll just press our earlobes with two fingers without pulling anyway. But it can be potentially painful if the teacher does it to us. Our ear tissues are so soft and vulnerable, with no bones to support. A small force exerted by the teacher can actually produce great pain. Some teachers pull and twist some more, ouch! I remember my ear was pulled (and twisted) really hard during lower primary, for forgetting to bring my textbook I think, and it was really painful. I thought my ear was going to drop.

I hate it when teachers don’t pull students (to move them from one position to another) by the arms or shoulders, but by the ears. This was usually done when the teacher pulled the student from his/her seat to the front of the classroom.


Put your finger on your lips

Not really considered a punishment, but just a simple harmless way to keep noisy kids quiet. Usually done during assembly (silent reading) or when the teacher is going out of class. Not very effective though, since we can still talk with the finger on our lips.

Variations: Cover your mouth
This kicks in when the finger isn’t enough to seal our lips. More effective since it’s more difficult to speak with a muffled voice.


Stand Up for Singapore

The most common punishment of all. Especially effective in keeping students from dozing off. One may stand at his/her seat, or at the side/back of classroom in order not to block the other alert students behind. At higher level of education, students are given the liberty to volunteer standing up if they cannot keep awake.

Variations: Stand on chair
This is done if the teacher decides to be meaner. However most of the time, the worry is not about the embarrassment, nor falling off the chair, but dirtying your own chair with your soiled shoes.

Variations: Stand on table
The leveled up version of standing on chair. Being at the top of the world isn’t necessarily a good experience.


Autocratic Ruler

If a cane can’t be used, the ruler is the next best choice. In normal cases, a 30 cm plastic ruler is used. More rulers can be stacked to add strength for a harder hit. There were times when the wooder metre rule (usually placed in front of black/whiteboard) was used for heavier punishments. The naughtier the class is, the more broken rulers can be found. Wonder who pays for them…

Don’t think that the ruler is only for primary school kids. In Secondary 4, my teacher was still using the ruler to hit our hands =p.


You’ve been eliminated

Hmm, I don’t remember being chased out of class. Apparently it can be quite embarrassing since you can be clearly seen by other people outside too. If the teacher is kind enough, you may continue to listen to the lesson through the window. Otherwise you might need to finish up the incomplete work on the floor before the period ends. It can be quite lonely if only one person is outside the classroom. But it gets really fun if majority of the class is chased outside too. The more the merrier.


Other petty treatment:

- Throwing worksheets/workbooks on the floor and we have to go and pick it up. (hope the floor is clean enough)

- Telling us to do squats. (treat it as PE)

- Pelting duster/chalk at us. (must aim properly otherwise innocent ones might be harmed)

- Slapping the face (a great deal of courage is needed)

- Hitting the head with a book (beware you might become stupid)

Monday, June 14, 2010

Idiot Box (II)

Mediacorp Chinese sitcoms are things of the past. When is the last time it was aired on TV? What is the last sitcom you've watched? Most of us probably would have already forgotten the answers to these questions.

Popularity of Channel 8 sitcoms started with this one. It was a hit when it first came out, along with its apt theme song. It created many memorable characters whose names (nicknames rather) we still remember, like Lobang King, 黄金来, 小妹, etc. Many seasons appeared after that, but unfortunately got worse and worse. It was the longest running sitcom in Ch8.




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A sitcom casting many popular hosts. I think the theme song is funnier than the show itself haha. The parts sung by Mark Lee and Huige should be the most memorable ones...




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Among all the sitcoms I've watched, I would rate this as the funniest. There were quite a few episodes that totally cracked me up and kept me laughing all the way. The jokes were pretty original too. The funniest parts of the show IMO were when they were performing their 广播剧.



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This is a 冷门 sitcom which used to air every Sunday night. The theme of the show itself didn't bring out much of a comedy. Look at the video and see how much Sentosa has changed. Fantasy Island haha.




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The lyrics of this theme song is pretty creative. It becomes so mathematical during the chorus haha. The interaction between the tutors and students was able to generate much jokes.

Watch only the first 90 seconds. Ignore the rest.



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This is another funny one, with a kinda far-fetched theme and exaggerated acting. This sitcom shot Fiona Xie to fame. The lyrics of this theme is pretty nonsensical too, with all the weird numeric codes haha.

Ignore the 2nd sitcom, I didn't watch that one.


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Another sitcom worth mentioning, but I couldn't find the video anywhere in the net.

Some memorable phrases from the show:

Bo Po Mo Fo...
中国5000年的历史...

Anyone still remember the name of this sitcom? Haha.

Monday, June 07, 2010

Timeless People

Sometimes I wish I could be like the characters inside a drama serial. Not because their lives are filled with dramatic events and unexplained coincidences, but because they seem to be very free attending with their personal matters rather than work.

Apparently most dramas, especially Singapore ones, are like that. The adults do not seem to have any occupation. They are always so free, be it during the day or at night. Even if they have any jobs (according to the plot), those kind of jobs would allow high flexibility such that you can have afternoon tea with your friends/family for as long as you like, or leave the workplace freely whenever something crops up.

Even their travelling behaviour is like teleportation. An 'urgent' call comes and he replies "I'll be right there" and poof! He really appears there in no time! The movement is so fast that the event or action (eg. an argument, a decision, a crime etc) has not ended yet. (And most probably hasn't reached a climax yet.) It gives a false impression that either Singapore is really so tiny, or Einstein's relativity theory is wrong.

Singapore has an extensive bus and rail network, and I believe about 70% of the population relies on such mode of public transport for movement around the island. This is not apparent in dramas though. The characters almost never take bus or MRT. They either own a car or take taxi, or just walk. Yup, they are either so rich or so poor. Sometimes we don't see them riding a bus or train, neither do we know how they get to one place to another. That's why it looks like teleporting.

That's why I envy these fictional characters. Time doesn't seem to be a problem to them. But I pity them for having to deal with all the crazy situations and dramatic happenings, usually one after another.