Certificate of Entitlement. This is prerequisite under a vehicle quota system that applies exclusively to Singaporeans. We Singaporeans would be familiar as car buyers would toss this abbreviation up and down, doing long mathematical calculations on bidding prices. I remember years ago in mid 90’s to late 90’s, buying a car in Singapore would be an addtional 30-40k for COE on top of the car itself.

COE price is economically based on 2 major factors - how many COEs the govenment is willing to issue and the market demand. However, with the establishment of open bidding in 1999, the COE price in detailed transparency has dropped, stabilizing now at range generally between 8k to 15k. This desirable reduction is mainly due to the increased release of COE entitlements, based on the lowing importation tax to the secondary market for our used cars. Plus, the loosening of bank regulations by the government allow for cars to be purchase with minimal upfront payment, keeping the reminder tied down to the terms of installment.

Therefore in recent times, the car market volume is going up the roof. Folks in the Singapore are ever more keen then before in getting a car. I start to wonder if we are becoming a bigger debtor then ever to the banks. Many car buyers are attracted to the longer managable installment arrangment, making cars easily afforable at first glance. People figure out that as long as their they pay can cover the installments, I doing well enough to afford one. Point of consideration - Have you got the safety net for that?

In terms of depreciation, the day you buy your car is the day you start to lose money. (Unless you are talking about classic cars)

Firstly, most Singaporeans have our housing mortage to overlook. Now, as we start normalising that owning a car as a necessity, personal finances are continuing to tilt towards risky red zone. Many of us are in a “eye wide open” manner, increasing our liabilities and dependability to the banks. Even though getting a car brings along comfort, whole-being and happiness in a certain extent. We have got to look at the other end of the deal. Are we working longer, harder, pondering over bills near retirement ago? The lowering of COE prices may have inadvertently introduce a negative bait factor, compelling us to work even harder so that we can upkeep just like everyone else is working doing.

Ok. Considering that I have been scouring this for a long time, I have got to be surprised to find this in the library. After reading the synopsis, it clear to me that I HAVE to watch it.

Basically its about the rivalries among concubines to whom the master chooses to sleep with everyday. Oh yah, have to mention that Gong Li is one of them. It is proven that reading that may result in varying exilaration.

I squatted to lower racks and begun running my fingers throught the dvd spines, straining my focus to register the different titles. When I saw it, I dragged it out immediately and smiled by myself for being so lucky. Next, I secretly peered over shoulders for any ah peks and aunties that could be vying the same interest and pulling of the “I need it more then you” stunt. I think I was being paranoid. But most of all, I think I am lucky. No ones is around me.

This film is crafted in a close door manner which intimacy is none existant to the viewer but generally understood. Chief ploy relying on the subtle yet discriminating politics between the 3 concubines and the head wife. The idea is whomever the master choses the sleep with the night before, she will get to have some odd privileges, also implicitly gaining a upperhand in the running for the household. So every evening, the four ladies would stand outside their quarters within view of each other and then some lantern fella would walk down their aisle and place a big red lantern, infront of one of them

As I think you know, would indicate the master desire to sleep with for the night. Those same guys would then proceed to light up alot of big red lanterns inside the compound of the “chosen one”. The lighting of the lanterns is depicted in painstaking extent, apparently a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Foully interesting right?

I don’t wish to give up too much of the details, but I have to admit the artful directing and rich characters in the film brought about more then just the survial of the shrewest equation. But also the equality and purpose of the Chinese women in the past. It relates on how education and social exposure can bring about different ideologies against traditional conventions.

In the past, if you are one rich man in China having more then one wife, it is really important to make sure the babies they bear is yours

I have to confess that I am an addict. I addicted to Scofield and Linc. I had to buy the whole series when it came out. I didn’t care. I am a junkie and I finished the 2nd season within 2 days. 2 days of which is at about the time, around 4 days before my cross cultural management exams. I cannot take it if I don’t finish it

Allow me to return to the time when I finished the last espisode of season 1. I was absolutely gutted by the ending. I’m sure most did. I tried imagining how the plot is going to lean towards season 2 once the characters successfully broke out from prison? For a while it didnt look too promising. Seems like it has to regress into a pretty stereotyped plot - fugitives running from authority.

I was wrong. It was amazing from start to end. As I transit between increasing episodes, I told myself countless time that it is gonna be the last episode before I turn it my pc off. It was a uphill challenge and I am glad that succumbed to my own temptation. Basically, I had resorted to continue until I my eyes became so heavy I had to sleep. I am writing this straight after I finished the last one. I feel whole again. I feel liberated. No more addiction.

Anyway, the recent political whoo haa in Singapore is largely on the Prime Minister’s justification to increase the already exorbitant Member of Parliament (MP) salaries. To put it monetary perspective, this imminent change will increase the annual salaries of MPs from the current SGD$1.2 million to SGD$1.6 million (approx. US$1 million). While the President of the United States, arguably the most powerful man in the world earns less then half - US$400,000.

His reason? To close up the widening pay gap between the government and the public sector to attract potential leaders. Allow me to digress. Is money really a good intrinsic bait for attracting worthy individuals to manage a country? I would suppose if there is a selection criteria for public services appointments, it should not just gauge only on his merits and abilities, but most importantly his desire, willingness to work and make sacrifices to in exchange to improve and help the lives of the people. If money is the only viable method for our governement to attract talents, we must be doing something wrong somewhere. Try to imagine the amount of taxpayers money we spent on national education or national service. Its purpose? Seems more like the intented nurturing didnt quite pay off.

With the racial integration of Chinese, Muslim and Indians, and all its rich culture, our homogeneous grouping in Singapore are unfortunately eclipsed with this money driven - superficial culture. Thought in many ways we are considered a first class nation, this fast-paced modern society is one where people are facing too many choices and values are often conflicted. This, I am afraid is the by-product of the most thriving and economically developed nation. Though living and socials standards have certainly improved, our ethics and purpose in life may have regressed.

You see, Singapore is a place where wealth is an individual’s main motivation and a prime indicator of a person’s status in the society. Historically, it is quite different from the past and especially the study of Confucianism. In the traditional Chinese social pecking order, men of learning, integrity and honor would be the crown of the society while the businessmen or traders alike would be at the bottom of it. Rationale being that the exploitation of profit would corrode one’s morals and character. People worships Chinese literary generals like Guan Yu or Yue Fei well notable for their valor, loyalty and uprightness. Though these qualities are still admired, they have distorted among our present time. In most case, loyalty is to oneself or for the family, not the others or the country. People would probably label as foolhardy if you are able to move up in the industry but decide to stick with an organization that pays you modestly, simply because you enjoy the job and feel attached to it. They would view it as shortcomings of an individual that is indecisive, risk adverse and lacks a goal in life.

I recalled some time ago when I just met a young lady in some social gathering. I casually mentioned to her that I served a frontline military unit during my National Service. To that, she laughed and replied - “Why do you have to put yourself though so much sweat, being under the sun while risking injury? I mean since you have to serve a compulsory 2 years in the services, might as well just be a clerk? You can be in an air-con room  and get to go home everyday.” I was flabbergasted. However, I presumed at her benefit of the doubt that she was probably ignorant about national security importance. Yet, I think her non-chalantly reply sized up the general mentality of the public and the lowering opinions of the once valued qualities such as serving the country. Who is going be motivated to stay and defend Singapore when it is under siege?

It’s been a while man. I haven really busy with my assignments and I get so tired once I reach home. But hey! I figure I should still give some credit to my earphones.

For the months, I have been using as a replacement - my old ipod earphones, since my previous earphones gave the silent treatment . Then a week back, I bought back the same earphones. I dont remember the model name, but its a panasonic earphone. 2 years back ago, i remember buying it for $69, bought it again for $50

I am very happy with my new earphones.

I knew how good it was when I used it last time. In terms for relativity, it is alot better than all my previous earphones I have ever used. In perspective, whenever I insert the earphones into my ear and press the play buttom. I am completely wallowed into a world of my own. I CANNOT hear anything around me except for my music.

I ‘ve been repeating paul van dyk’s crush in my player since the first day i bought my earphone. The bass is right up my ear

This is one Chinese 80’s nostagia flick! Tsui Hark’s or known by the chinese speaking community as Xu Ke, directed this film still as a unknown. It was one of his earliest work and it remains to be a treat to watch even after so many years (released in 1986).

Chinese film goddess Ling Ching Hsia teams up with 80’s Hongkong starlet Cherie Chong, (from An Autumn’s Tale) and music siren Sally Yeh, to a story of slightly serious political observation injected with slap stick humour, fight scenes. and the chinese opera. The movie seeds a underlying message during the political intrigue in China after the first revolution. Ling Ching Hsia’s role is limited to her serious dispostion as the educated general’s daughter with a master plot expose illegal foreign borrowings during the first chinese revolution’s regime. The big screen is amply stolen by both Sally and Cherie whom are absolutely hilarious.

Try to listen up for the Beijing Ya - “Peking Duck” joke.

Anyone who is familiar with the Romance of The Three Kingdoms, would define the Battle and Red Cliff the watershed of the epic novel. Historically, the battle is claimed to be have involved over half a million men. It is the aftermath of this battle that moulded the great empire of China into the 3 kingdoms of shu, wei and wu.

I have nothing to write further about this film because it has not been made. YET, I am compelled to write. Because today, I read in some internet that Chinese filmaker John Woo is poised to be sign as the director for the film, starring Chow Yun Fatt and Tony Leung, slated to be release in 2008.

I will try to keep this updated to any news I hear about it.

- 29 April 2007 -

Chow Yun-Fat was originally selected for the role of Zhou Yu. However, he pulled out on 13 April 2007, just as shooting began. Chow explained that he received a revised script a week earlier and was not given sufficient time to prepare, but producer Terence Chang disputed this, saying that he could not work with Chow because the film’s Hollywood insurer opposed 73 clauses in Chow’s contract. Chow was replaced by Tony Leung Chiu Wai, who had previously rejected the role of Zhuge Liang.

- 17 May 2007 -

There’s been another twist in the casting for John Woo’s historical epic. A publicist for one of the film’s investors claims Chow Yun-Fat has agreed to rejoin his old friend’s star-studded cast. He is likely to play one of the smaller roles and has yet to sign the contract. The Hong Kong star generated negative headlines after quitting the cast of the high profile epic. Previous reports say he was dropped from the cast because he put forward “nearly one hundred unreasonable demands.”

Stanley says:

B.Sc (Xenomorphology)

S Lee says:

module no.1

S Lee says:

to be fifth wheel

Stanley says:

SX1101 Understanding the Fifth Wheel Concept

S Lee says:

ur siao

S Lee says:

module no.2

S Lee says:

to learn to kill with sharp sticks

Stanley says:

ur more siao

Stanley says:

SX2312 Fundamentals of Killing with Sharp Sticks

S Lee says:

module no. 3

S Lee says:

to lie like burke

Stanley says:

SX3006 Techniques for Betrayal and other Conniving Acts by Assoc Prof Burke Carter

S Lee says:

module no.4

S Lee says:

to understand the history of arcturian pontang

Stanley says:

Stanley says:

module 5, how to escape from chicken shit outfits and other situations
S Lee says:

module no.6

S Lee says:

to learn to sign up for illegal alien forms

Stanley says:

module 7, the art of window washing with blood

S Lee says:

module no.8

S Lee says:

to kill with harsh lauguage

Stanley says:

module 9, how to appreciate cornbread and other oddities

S Lee says:

module no.10

S Lee says:

to stay away from ripley if ur bishop

Stanley says:

module 11, milk and other android hydraulic fluids

S Lee says:

MODule 12

S Lee - kowloon walled city is really something says:

to always put the small girl in charge

Stanley says:

module 13, understanding the ‘nobody touch nothing’ rule

S Lee says:

WAHHA

S Lee says:

module 14

S Lee says:

understanding the reasons to always keep something for close encounters

Stanley says:

module 15, the ‘i’ll just be in the next room’ principle and other theories

S Lee says:

MODULE 16

S Lee says:

understanding the basics of “look into his eyes”

Stanley says:

module 17, Fundamentals of finding the damn beacon

Hey, this is really the saddest movie I have ever watched.

But I never cry.

The plot begins in the later part of the second world war, period of time when Japan was under attack from the allies. The backdrop is of village folks living in anxiety from contant air raids. Could tell that the director probably make some efforts to eludes the very general viewer’s perception of war aftermath, but focuses on the characters dire situation during the destruction

The main character is compelled - as a older brother to take care of his younger sister when their mum was killed during one of the raids. As they struggled without money and a place to stay, pride, selfishness and ignorance, forced the siblings into desperation, relying on each other, with no other seeming resort. They had no food and money and in time, due to malnutrition, his sister got really sick.

The story then painstakingly devolops as you literally see the physical detoriation of his sister untill it is overly heart wrenching to predict or comprehand how it the plot would move on. The endearing cries of the baby sister and deperate exhales from the older brother just dragd at my heart. It is a masterpiece story. The candy container and fireflies would be long remembered

I told myself not to waste food next time.