“Viduka collects the ball on to his feet – shuffles it to his left – and he SHOOTS!”

One – nil. What a feeling.

*Viduka celebrates

It took 14 games and over 3 months. But on this special day, we got the 3 points.

Jumps of joy to celebrate Newcastle winning 2 – 0 in such flow and attraction that brings eons memories from a different era. An era and place only Keegan could lead us to – reigniting the days of glory back to the north east once again.

Fulham was not exactly toughest team to beat, but the credits must be given to the gritty performance the team had put in; and to the legendary geordies supporters. Since the recent free fall of Newcastle’s league position woes, the fans have remained committed behind the team through and through and it was a massive testimony to have St James’s house a full attendance.

The incredible sounds and sights from the strength of 52,387.

*The geordies faithful

I might be overly expecting, but I do believe we have finally turned the corner. As long as the team continues to believe in its cause and ability, Newcastle could do us right by bringing in the consistency, ambition and most importantly – entertaining winning football every week.

It’s a good weekend.

I have finally returned the travel guide book on Hongkong that I’d borrowed more then a month ago. It’s now evident that any worthy memorabilia leftover from the canto speaking region of China are now ingrained in my memory with some torn pieces of HK maps and photos.

I got a real bargain for the trip. Bought the 2 way plane ticket + hostel accommodation over 4 days 3 night for a total of only SGD375. We didn’t ask for much and it turns out nothing more or less then I expected. Even with a guide book and map, our traveling itinerary was pretty unplanned. Although 4 days is hardly enough to assimilate any form of cultural interaction, I think some general comments from my observation is fair enough.

The hostel we stayed is located in Mongkok – Kowloon, and my first notion about the establishment felt pretty dodgy. It is basically an old congested rundown block with rows of apartments that are converted into hallways of rooms. Ours had a toilet though.

*Snazzy hostel room

Make no qualms that property prices in HK is quite similar to madness. They are arguably one of the world’s most densely populated location, land are scarce and developers have little option but to build upwards. Residential buildings all seems to be plotted in very close proximity, commonly at a height from 20 to 40 floors. I noticed that Singapore is also beginning to develop along that line.

Walking along the streets proved to be an interesting episode. I suppose Kowloon is very close to an insomnia’s dream come true. It is a neon-lit, buzzing, gastronomical realm that does not sleep. I had to check on my watch constantly. Even at the late hours, the streets are bustling with masses of people walking up and down, left and right, high and low – doing something, going somewhere. Doing what, going where – I’m not sure. We make several attempts by following the crowd to see what’s what. Unfortunately, I had to give up halfway trying to pace myself to the blistering walking speed for which everyone exhibits.

The food was nothing short of dramatic. Though we often claimed to be bilingual, wall menus filled with Chinese characters and Cantonese communication can be pretty much compared to a chicken and duck. We resorted to doing alot of dramatization such as gesturing/pointing OR rephrasing our mandarin to place our orders. In all honesty, the initial prospect of eating in a local joint was really quite a challenge. Nonetheless, we learned along the way and I probably enjoyed eating the most throughout the entire trip. There was always a sense of excitement between us everytime we started looking around for our next meal.

*Deciphering chinese characters in restaurants

One delightful contrast between us and HongKong’s foodfare is that there seems to be an abundance of seafood. Certainly, the region is blessed enough to have a brisk supply of fresh seafood from its wealth of waters surrounding the island. I suppose the prawns come considerably cheaper compared to Singapore. One thing’s for sure, one will find alot of prawns inside alot of yummy stuff.

In retrospect, we estimated that we consumed over 100 prawns in 4 days.

• 6 bowls of Wanton Mee (each bowl got 5 wantons, inside each wanton got 2 prawns) = 60 prawns.

• 4 baskets of Har Gao (each basket for 4 Har Gao, inside each Har Gao got 2 prawns) = 32 prawns.

• 3 baskets of Siew Mai (each basket for 4 Siew Mai, inside each Siew Mai got 2 prawns) = 24 prawns.

• 2 Strips of Chee Cheong Fun (Wrapped around prawns) = 4 prawns.

*Giant Wontons

Apart from the buying things, eating things, we devoted a fair bit to history and culture. Stanley probably enkindled some nostalgia by visiting his old primary school and the family apartment while he was growing up in HK. Decidedly, we also made plans to take a trip down to visit the Hongkong’s Museum of History.

From Kowloon, as we crossed the river to the island of Hongkong, the term – concrete jungle exemplifies into a a new degree of meaning. This little island is really the cradle of Asian commercialization. A capitalistic model that hinges on the essence of free economy, resulting in an industrialization that helped accelerated the island’s rugged terrains to its present- day glory.

*You see the eagle?

*The bank is called NCB. There seems to be a missing letter

Up we went into the clouds with the help of a tilted tram. The Peak Tram ride brought us to the top of Victoria Peak just in time for cold and foggy weather. Luckily, it cleared off a bit and we managed a few decent shots of the spectacular city view. Remarkably, there were also some scattered apartments and housings high up, along the ridges of the peak. I wonder how much it would cost to stay in an address named Victoria Peak.

*Cannot see a shit

Before we left, we spent some good quality time monkeying with Lee Kuan Yew in the wax museum. That was before we realized that our contemptuous behaviour might be under surveillance.

The remainder of the time are pretty much spent on shopping and eating. We actually devoted almost half a day in mainland China. Shenzhen is the first Chinese city that adopted the then experimental “open door”policy which have turned out to be very successful. One could view its impressive backdrops of sky high buildings, an sparkling indication of its phenomenal rate of development. Consider that Shenzhen was still a rural region of agricultural farmland as late as 1970s.

*Shenzhen

Anyhow, there is this shopping mall just past the immigration center, where one could get knockoffs at pretty low prices. That is assuming that one has the ability to bargain at a certain level of technique. Nonetheless, the nature of the hagglings are conducted at a light-hearted and fun manner. Incredibly, even after an intense session of negotiation, we still get the lingering feeling that we’re being ripped off. The highlight was however the 1hr foot massage for 25 HK dollars. That’s about SGD $5 dollars.

The entire trip was rounded off with more walking, shopping and eating, spaning the area from Mongkok down to Tsim Shai Tsui. We visited the red light district, came across legal proprietary mahjong dens, ate surprisingly cheaper Macdonalds and visited their own “Queensway” and “Sim Lim Square”. All of which can be found within close vicinity of downtown Kowloon. I could see how the dynamics of Hongkong’s sociocultural attitudes are basically integrated within the city itself. The city of HK is much like a entity that breeds diversities, compelling and attracting people to find work, food, social belonging and fulfill principal needs. It’s a place which epitomises true city living – from the traditional and unsophisticated, to the adaptive and ultra-glamorous. If HK is to be described only for its shopping and eating, it would be a quite unfair understatement.

The next time while traveling down Henderson Road towards AYE, just after Telok Blangah Heights (on the left), look UP ahead. Within a short distance, one would come across some enormous looking concrete pillars that are used to support a horizontal bridging structure that sits right above – about 10 to 15 stories. Although it is still in midst of construction, the bridge looks really quite impressive.

Its like a scene in Lord of the Rings.

The bridge is called Alexandra Link, aka – Lord of the Rings Bridge, was intended by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to link up the Southern Ridges and enhance it as an inviting recreational destination for jog/run/walk wannabes and tourists. When all the links are completed, I believe the 270m-long Henderson Crossing bridge (as displayed below), would form part of a connector that spans across the southern scopes from Mount Faber to Telok Blangah Hill Park, all the way till it reaches Kent Ridge Park.

The project is due to be completed by the end of the year, though I am highly skeptical if they can do so in time. Anyway, I am in positive anticipation. There will soon a day where folks can do their jogs right up at the dizzying heights of this bridge and enjoy the views of Singapore’s skyscrapers and Harbour Front bay with bouts of vertigo.

Read on: http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/pr04-22.html

Its been a while since I wrote anything here. I skipped Christmas, New Year, but luckily, I found some mood and time not to skip Rat’s New Year. Me – being a Rat (based on Chinese Calendar), experiencing the transition into the Rat Year poses a significant sinking effect on my youth. In perspective, the last round of rodents was when I was still in primary 6. Fark. Sadly on hindsight, I cannot recall anything eventful except for my PSLE.

Since then, we have experienced phenomenons of pagers to mobile phone, television to internet and weathered the period of Asian economic crisis.

We are growing really fast.

Its OK. Anyway, my mum told me a couple of auspicious practices for individuals born in the year of the rat.

1. Wear a Pendant

2. Wear Green when doing your CNY visits.

Supposedly, it would help to usher in more luck and fortune. I’ve already gotten my pendent and I am intending on going green this year.

Mahjong?

28 Nov 2007

Letter of Appeal – Change of Management Pathway

To the University Board,

Do accept my sincere apology for the submission of this Letter of Appeal in such an overdue manner. However, it is my earnest conviction to seek the board’s permission to grant a little latitude for a switch of program pathway.

I am currently undertaking UCD’s Bachelor of Science (Management) undergraduate program through APMI Kaplan School. In context of this appeal, I harbour the keenest intention and with your permission to switch my current program pathway from Management to Finance.

The realism of the economy, investments and finances are topics which I read and discuss avidly with interest. The lack of academic background has however often limited me from switching to the vocation. As a student and a young working professional in the industry, my modest work experience and theoretical knowledge gained from the lessons in school are the cores of my learning. The modules being offered by the finance pathway would therefore be an important opportunity for me to enrich contribute, apply and progressively develop this interest.

During my enrolment in 2006, the BSc programs that were offered in APMI did not incorporate the option of finance pathway. Until recently I discovered that a finance specialisation is presently being offered to the students. I understand that the currently term for the finance pathway have since commenced and I have also been thoroughly advised of the implications. Nonetheless, I am very encouraged to submit this appeal to the board, to seek your liberal permission.

Sincerely,
Lee Sen Jensen

Whenever I past the former NCO Specialist Club along Beach Road, I would keenly recollect my swimming days and spending a big portion of my youth being in and out around the place.

Following the footsteps of my older brother, I joined the swimming club to pick up leisure swimming, but it didn’t take long before I begun training competitively for the club. Being a young lad, I didn’t know or care much about the historical tales of the place. To me, it was a place of really cheap video arcade games and spending my hours and weekends for swimming lessons. I knew the place was really old. Apart from its old styled architecture, my Dad and all the Uncles would often mentioned that it was a popular place of the British soldiers that were stationed in Singapore. At that time, that “old British” fact simply increases the spookiness of the whole place – or at least the toilet we used is pretty freaking old.

The main building facing the main road had 3 levels. The main floor and lobby had undergone 2 to 3 times of revamp. Entering from the main entrance, there used to be a cafeteria and arcade room on the right. On the left, there was the NCO Specialist Lounge and a Jackpot room. Over the other corner of the first level, there was a bar counter that served duty free beer to the military personnels.

On the 2nd level, the length of it was pretty much occupied by a multi purpose hall. In the earlier years while I was there, the space was pretty lively, often there were games of bingo, functions and all kinds of lessons. However, it died down and the second level is pretty much vacant most of the time. As for the third level, it couldn’t say much. I am quite certain I went up there as least once, but unfortunately I cannot seem to remember anything about it. If I am not wrong, it was either the sleeping quarters or a KTV room.

Like i mentioned early, I knew the place is pretty darn old, and then I found these picture and read more about it. The NCO Club during its glory days was actually call the Britannia Club. Like name suggests, it was the supposedly the “in” place for the British social congregation.

Circa 1960’s – Britannia Club

Recent

So I went on to ask my Dad about the Club again recently. He said the name does ring a bell, but it was the ladies on the upper deck (roof) of the toilet that he remembers most fervently. During the club glory days, it was quite a sight to ogle whenever one takes the public transport pass the club. Apparently, the upper deck was where the Caucasian ladies would do without much cloths to soak up some sun. Interesting, the experience for me was conversely differently. During my swimming lessons, my friends and I would run amok on the upper deck during rest time and we would look over to the opposite roads to check out the busy traffic and cars that run by.

Unfortunately, The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has launched the commercial site at Beach Road for sale by public tender. It encompasses the NCO Club and Beach Road Camp. The detailed planning can be found in here.

The consolation for the sale is that it entails an agreement that the existing buildings in place are to be retained as part of the conservation efforts.

To be continued…

Yesterday, I have completed my first paper – business strategy. Honestly, I think I did pretty OK. I wrote quite alot and I feel the lecturer should mark me up for my efforts. But, that is beside the point. My entry today is about my plight with car park charges.

My paper is scheduled at 2pm yesterday. I did not want to rush, so I made an effort to wake up early so I could make my way down to school at around 11am to run through the final points of my revision. My parents were away and so the car was mine to drive of the whole day. The only foreseeable concern was that my school is in Orchard. So, being a prudent individual about cost saving, I googled for the cheapest carpark rates in town.

It is a 3hr paper, and being myself, I knew I would use every last minute scrabbling my answers away. So I would probably leave school at approximately 515pm to 530pm. On top of that, I have also made plans to meet up with a friend in town for dinner and shopping. Which, I safely assumed will last till around 9-10pm.

Rough estimate: I would probably be in town for around 10hrs

So, I went on to search though the list of places and charges, highlighting those with a per entry charge. There were a few considerations. I am to be in town as early as 11am, but yet most carparks that graciously offer per entry parking, do it only after 3 or 5pm on Saturdays. There was only one place on the list to have a $4 per entry “round the clock” on Saturday – Wheelock’s Place. So I chopped chopped packed my bags and made my way over there.

Before entering Wheelock’s, I entered the URA public carpark behind Far East Shopping Centre to test market. Incredibly, in the mass of parking lots opportunist lurking around, I found one. I entered the lot and begun to dig at my coupons. And then, I thought: “since I am going to be in town for so long, might as well park at Wheelock’s at $4, coupons will need to be around $8 based on my time judgment”.

I wheeled out and entered the Wheelocks, with a level of satisfaction and thus NOT LOOKING AT THE PARKING RATES.

When I left the barrier gantry at around 930pm, I was charged $25. Apparently, they had recently changed the carpark rate. 1st hr: $2, subsequent 1/2hr: $1

I repeat. $25

And on my way back to Wheelock’s, I got hit by bird shit. I still thought that was a sign of good luck.

I have been really busy. Apart from my work, my assignments were due last week and examinations are just hiding around corner. Sometimes it feels like being rope-dragged in 4 directions by 4 horses running in different directions. There is a Chinese phrase that describes that kind of agony, but I’ve forgotten the hanyu pinyin spelling. Today is a Saturday yet I just spent my whole afternoon studying, its really nb sian.

Anyway, allow me to digress towards the direction of my meaningful title.

I think it was part of Mediacorp’s futile attempt to boast users for their online MOBTV service. On the Monday 2 weeks ago, I so happened to watch a re-run episode of a 1980’s Chinese drama series called “Mi Li Ye”. You probably won’t remember this, but the theme song is friggin eerie but nice.

Theme Song – Mi Li Ye

[Download]

Cheesy plot paired with decent acting. However, the highlight was that everything in it represents 80’s Singapore. It was a throwback for my diminishing memory during primary school years. I got so interested just watching the backdrop of the 80’s architecture, layouts and buildings.

I couldnt take it. There were a few buildings/places in the show that I have never seen before in my 23 years of Singapore life. So, I went to research here and there.

Before durian esplanade, did you know we actually had a National Theatre? And before the vibrant and expensive Sentosa underwater world, did you also not know we had an aquarium near town?

Both are true. The National Theatre used to stand near the junction of River Valley Road and Clemenceau Avenue, while Van Kleef Aquarium was located near the foot of fort Canning. Both were unfortunately X-ed out by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in mid 1980’s, long before I had any chance to know about it, let alone see it.

Somehow, there seems to be an increasing number of missing pieces of Singapore history for our younger generation. I deduced from the pragmatic and non-preserving stance (remember our ex-national library) of our very own gov development boards, that our older generations should reminisce and play a role to tell tales of early Singapore.

Anyway, you could check out from your older siblings or parents, especially those born before 1980. They would probably be familiar with this 2 places, apparently it was quite a excursion hot-spot for student and – lovers.

To be continued…

1. National Theatre

2. Van Kleef Aquarium

Ok, I caught a flu virus on eve of my birthday.

But it doesn’t matter

Because the highlights for the weekend was just absolutely crazy and I don’t think I have ever smiled continuously for so long. It was a case of 3 fantastic Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening super-combined into a kee siao birthday. I cannot describe how much I enjoyed myself and I hope everyone had a great time.

My friends are really farking sweet and I cannot take it.

But I am not going to cry.

Thanks for all the gifts and coming down. Plus a big hug to da-jie

- treat of my favorite makan
- the sweetest cakes
- a super stylo milo brown belt
- a super white-striped on white long sleeve cufflings shirt
- the salty shots and the flaming drinks
- a super “totally my style” messenger bag

Muack