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Maybe I have gotten too used to the feeling of hubris and infallibility that it takes knocks like this to pull me back down to earth occasionally. After all, I understand and believe in the concept of having no success without failure.

Although this setback may not be so severe for most, it fails to meet my extremely high expectations I set for myself.

...

Maybe in my future endeavors I shall tuck a note somewhere, called the "fail" note, to remind myself that there is this chance of failure, and then as I continue to achieve success, I realize the chance of failure tends closer and closer to one in a million.

But at least should I fail, my old self would emerge from the echelons of my memory (or my hard disk in which the fail note is stored) to haunt me and say: "I told you so."

Applying WM techniques to plan for a WM exam tomorrow.



I think I far exceeded the slack time allocatable though.

I think if countries like Austria had chicken rice, laksa, bak chor mee, fried kuay tiao etc I would probably have wanted to migrate there.

I miss

Queuing up 4 hours for a standard ticket in the main opera house in Vienna.
Entering into a train station without having to tap my card.
Visiting Castles, Churches, Cathedrals, Cemeteries etc.
Arriving in a "ghost town", getting caught in a rain with no eatery seemingly open.
Seeing a car drive by a horse carriage.
Visiting places what used to be gas chambers and "work will set you free".
Basking in the Picturesque scenes of bridges.
And many more.


I should go on a tour again.

Today America elected their very first black President. It is interesting that what has been one of the most under privileged races on this planet is now the race of the leader of the most powerful country in the world. One can only hope a repeat of Kennedy or Lincoln does not happen, for there will be turmoil. Dow Jones will rally tonight like how the people did at Giant Park, but then it will become Down Jones again.

Today I was too lazy. It is interesting that I could still find excuses and reasons for my inapt. Perseverance would mean continuing to work hard, while perseverance to me would mean curbing ill-disciplined tendencies.

I still have not forgotten you, 14th December. I shall work towards the deadline I have so set for myself, rather than only concentrating on those that others have set.

So while I pander to my already overstretched indulgence for just a little bit longer, my immediate deadline ends the moment I click "Publish Post" below.

34 hours straight, with a short one hour break home to bath and wash up.

Hungry, missed 2 meals. Tired. And then!

To keep my sanity | And refrain from profanity
I have to remember | I am no dumber
Than I was before | No crack no flaw
No time to think | Deadline's on the brink

And thereafter there are so many things out there waiting for me to be achieved.

This blog may see a revival. =)

Vienna - Hallstatt - Salzburg - Munich - Prague - Budapest - Bratislava - Vienna

My route. Yup, will take many pictures. A big thanks to my friends who wished me well.

Alright, dinner and off I go!

.. with the sound of music

Had planned to blogged this 2 days ago along the lines of "At this exact moment next week I'll be on a plane to far far away.."

House of quality relates customer requirements to technical aspects and engineering specifications of a product, with weightage applied to the different......

I gotta stop viwawa-ing. DAMN you Kenny.

Finally, after seemingly endless bouts of headaches and whining, I got my internship. The next time I'll apply super early.

In the midst of exams, finding time to blog, hoping to score my 2nd A+ tomorrow (Achieved 1 today already; try your best to disappoint me, exam). Last paper on a Saturday.

And flying to Eastern Europe on Monday. Hardly prepared. But I can feel it. The adrenalin that is seeping into my blood right now as I think about it. The adventure of venturing into a foreign place without knowledge of language, or even proper accommodation planning (I've booked 3 nights out of 19 so far). Shucks.

Arriving back on a Sunday, and then internship starts on Monday. Arts Camp planning should already be underway by then, and sincerely sorry for my absence. Well, at least our dear 2IC is superbly capable - impressing me always.

Alright, back to my notes. Hope a question like this comes out tomorrow:
"Explain Swaps (20m)"

Nah, that would be too easy.

It's funny how as I get more educated the more distaste I have for my country. And it doesn't help that I get a call-up right smack in summer. Still, I still do feel proud and affection for this place, and I wouldn't mind doing my part.

Just, not like this, at this time, in this manner.

I am pushing this button now, 28th Feb 08, 1:56am - a record by personal standards because it seldom happens, and even if it does it is usually a 3-4 days deadline.

Oh well, gotta learn to love it. It will be a good experience to describe during interviews.

I am sitting here, waiting...

I am not sure if blogging helps but it just takes a little distraction away from constantly staring at books and notes, which, in case you haven't already figured out - material on Economics.

The mere exposure effect says that the more you are exposed to something, the more the liking towards that something, without of cause pre-conceived opinions.

Well I think Econs is a beautiful topic, because it puts alot of complexities in the world into simple words and graphs. But beauty is hard to tame and capture.

But master it I must, for there is nothing I can't.
At least that's how much I believe.

Who have been reading or rather stopping by here despite my lack of posts. Really hard to find the time!

Choon: Rejected him for the 4th time to dinner/supper. Soon soon.
Brenda: Haha nope! But we are already way into 2008, so happy CNY instead!
James: Sorry who are you again ah? Haha, just kidding.

Had a short celebration at Kenny's place.


And its off to muggerland yet again. Talent without hard work is nothing.

How time flies. I still vaguely remember this time last year, where the exact same picture is taken. Except well, the mood this year's somewhat different.

Nevertheless, take care everyone!

I haven't blogged in a while, so here I am. Ok, in a long while.

Had a fruitful holiday I suppose, busy with tonnes of work and meetings and all.
Had a wonderful Christmas, and a wonderful new year's celebration at Ritz Calton.
Will have a wonder 2008 as well, and this year I shall work harder than ever, to fulfill whatever I set out to do. Will be going on a Europe tour, so I have to scrim and save for that.

Nevertheless, Happy New Year everyone. =)

A photoshoot shot for our coming investiture.


I know, don't laugh.

You ask, what's wrong with spending 40 hours in the library a week?
Wait, but even if I spend just half an hour I get the label of a mugger. What exactly is a mugger?

My definition: A mugger is a term widely used by people who try to work hard but fail to do so (or so they think that they fail to do so) to describe people who SEEM to work hard.

What's wrong with working hard?

I used to be a slacker, yes to date I still am. But to 99% of people out there (or so these people who see me in school all the time) think I am the opposite - a smugger. I used to skip classes back in JC, chill out playing dota in the computer labs, do card tricks in reading areas etc. But as I came to SMU, I realized a lot.

That people were much better than me. That how inapt I was. That the As I have gotten in my life they could have gotten them too as easily.

No life as a mugger? I beg to differ. Life is what you make out of it. If you think a varsity education is all about fun you are right, but if you fail to see that fun also encompasses the workload and 'mugging sessions' then I think you are in the wrong place.

I have 2 exco positions in school, organizing events and all, is that fun? I go out for occasional suppers now and then. I drive to school on a sunday and eat Geylang Lorong 9's beef hor fun for lunch. I attend the occasional bash or catch the weekday movie. Yes. I go to class NOT to get that GPA but to learn things that will allow me to play in the world's playground, and yes, the GPA will come naturally. Nevermind those that have disillusions that GPA is everything, I am not that sort.

If you go around sulking, seeing how hard people work their ass off without asking yourself, why is it you are feeling that way, then I think your complaints are baseless. If you, being the "non-mugger" that you are cannot find joy in your activities, and instead feel peer-pressurized by the horde at li ka shing, I'd say you're a conformist. Since you do not bother about your GPAs, why impose onto others that they shouldn't? Or is it precisely because you care about your GPA in the first place?

Whatever the case, I enjoy what I do - studying - something I have never really done in my life. Because I have learnt to slack my life away - by studying and enjoying. I used to term people as muggers, but not anymore. At least if you study 24hours a day of your varsity life that's your choice (albeit a lousy one), and I respect that. As much as I respect the non-muggers for living the way they want. But mugger-callers? Quit whinning, and start doing something.

It's all a matter of choice and perspective no?

Kinda lost the zest to blog, and hence my absence. Also due to the fact I'm overloaded with assignments and projects and commitments. Doing maximum allowable of modules as well as being involved in 2 excos is not easy. Shan't blog about days 7-10 in Hong Kong in this post, which I will in due time, but here are some pictures of my birthday.


"..."


Ok, blogger image loader is screwed, So I cannot do anything.


Study! Seeing the fruits of my labour. =)

DAY 6: The Peak and Symphony

Nothing much today, went to meet her for lunch at this famous restaurant, Yung Kee Restaurant specializing in their roasted meat, goose etc. Its located at Wellington Street nearby central, just opposite the Tsui Wah Restaurant and near Lan Kwai Fong. Cost us a bomb the meal, by far the most expensive. Good food, nothing fantastic unlike Lin Heung Tea House which I tried much later.




I then decided to head up there to the infamous Victoria Peak. Well, it was cloudy and I was contemplating if I should still head up, but I did anyway. And it rained at the top! The view was misty, and I was cowering under my umbrella at the top. I was the only one up there during the rain heh, at this roof top of the shopping complex.

Took this peak tram that 'buildings when passed seemed like they were 45 degrees slanted'. It wasn't that bad, but I hated the ride. Very uncomfortable.



Self shot and nice tourists heh.



There, it was that misty.


The thing about getting people to take photographs for you is that they often catch you while your eyes are closed, or they have shaky hands. Oh well. Mdm Tussuad's.



Can you spot my hotel? I'm going to try describe it cause I cant find a photoshop programme installed here. Going from left, look at the 2 tallest protrusions. Move your eye rightwards, till you hit the incline. My hotel is the start of that incline, with a darker shade of blue.



Some waterfall I spotted while I was hikingwalking up there.



Yup, this is the angle of incline/decline.



And officially my favourite building in Hong Kong, Bank of China tower. It's too darn sexy. And furthermore so during the symphony of lights; it was the protagonist.



Tram rides. I cannot appreciate them more for their cheap fares.



Night time, I went to Avenue of Stars to catch the Symphony of Lights. It was raining. Nothing impressive like those in the pictures, but a good watch nevertheless. Buildings with their lights and fanciful combinations. Bank of China building was the only outstanding building! 'nuff said.





Went to this restaurant, Happy Garden Noodles and Congee Kitchen. They have a large variety of noodles/congee and in english, so no problems ordering. Except I didn't really like the food. I tried the dry Wonton noodles.



Late night shopping at temple street. Didn't manage to bargain properly as I lacked skill, sad to say.



When I reached home, it was 12+!

DAY 4: Continued

Had dinner at this nice looking restaurant, selling rice noodles. Not bad and reasonably priced, especially in Central.



After which I chilled at Pacific Coffee, waiting for her to knock off.



DAY 5: Wishing Trees and Old Castles

Alright, took the KCR for the first time. I'm getting kinda tired, so mind the lack of words from now on. Indulge in the pictures I post.

A typical view from my favourite and cheapest mode of transport, the tram.


KCR train


Station looks kinda ulu.


Yup, definitely ulu.


Told you! New Territories is definitely different from the urban areas.


And the famous Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees. The tree was not available though :( because it was collapsing. So I didn't get to throw my wishes up there!






Heng Cai Jiu Shou - literally translated into English: Want money it comes into your hand.


The po po who helped me with prayers.


The weakened tree.


Took a bus ride from east to west to find this place called Kat Hing Wai. An old place that used to be a 'castle' with motes and all. After walking for almost 3-4km I got lost. So after a hell lot of distance I gave up.





It was only when I reentered the station I found a local area map. And realised what I needed to do. So off I went again, feeling dumb.

So I found it.



Seems like some squatter settlements, with some aunties still wearing those hats. Those people must think I'm nuts, walking into their homes like that.



Victoria Habour


And some filming action going on.


Went to this very posh and nice Japanese place to eat some fantastic salmon rice.




Too tired to blog about day 6-7. Maybe later after I catch some sleep. Stupid rain and weather keeping me very much indoors and wet. BrrGrr.

We interrupt this programme on my Hong Kong itinerary for this news flash.

STI has broken the support level of 3180. Which sucks because it means more $ gone. And less tendency to spend here in Hong Kong!!!!!

Bah. Dim Sum at Kowloon later or Congee downstairs?

DAY 3: Dim Sum and Hong Kong Island Trail

Day started off with a Dim Sum lunch at Maxim Palace, a popular place supposedly selling cheap dim sum. Supposedly didn't occur.



Because it was a Sunday, it was the domestic homeworkers day off. And the streets of Hong Kong were filled with them. Roads were even closed.



Some pictures I took at Statue Square near the HSBC Building.



The view in an MTR train. Did I mention how long they were? So much longer than Singapore's MRT.



Later I went back to the hotel to catch some plan as to how to tour. Came up with a few stops throughout western Hong Kong Island.

First stop was Western Market. Nothing much inside to my disappointment except a restaurant and some cloth shops. The exterior is nice though.



Walked about another 8 minutes to Man Mo temple, a very small temple. Again everything short of 'impressive' as per depicted in many Hong Kong brouchers.




Walked down Hollywood Road, a place selling many antiques. Not much here yet again, because maybe it was a Sunday and most shops were closed. Reached the famous Mid Level Escalators. The longest escalators in the Guinness book of Records, running a total of about 800m




Found a museum on Dr Sun Yat Sen



And also an interesting shop with an interesting name.



A mosque along the way.



And Central Police Station.



This used to be a storage place for cold stuff, before the refrigerator was invented back then.



A very interesting booth whereby if you tab your Octopus card, you get a $2 discount on your next MTR ride at nearby stations.



Government house, where I climbed steep stairs just to arrive at a locked gate. So much for being in the itinerary.



St Joseph's Cathedral.


From left: Bank of China Tower, Cheung Kong Centre, HSBC Tower.



And just outside IFC (International Finance Centre) Mall, a bull! Let's hope a bull run continues! Huat ah!




Day 4: Kowloon Heritage Walk

Took the train to Lok Fu station, a $11.8 ride cost. Almost got lost, because I couldn't find the place to board a minibus. Luckily, I spotted one along the way and the kind driver gave me a lift back to the place I was supposed to board for free. Reached there, but weather was scorching; a far cry from the rainy weathers 2 days before. Reached my destination - Kowloon Walled City Park. Pictures below.








This is a Couple's Stone of sorts. Notice the Yuan and Yang Chinese characters.



The 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac cast in stone.



I figured if I took the same bus back and train to another station it would cost more than if I found a bus to where I wanted to go. But I was wrong as the fare cost $7.1. Reached Wong Tai Sin Temple, or Sik Sik Yuen Temple; a famous place where supposedly wishes and prayers get answered.





After praying and wishing a little, I headed yet again to another heritage place, via MTR to Diamond Hill station. This time its the Nan Lian Garden - a garden in the hectic city. Thereafter I went to Chi Lin Nunnery.





Chi Lin Nunnery.




Oh, one thing I love about Hong Kong is that the public transport is excellent! The trains have those light indicators that tell you exactly which station you are headed towards, and should you need a transfer. The buses too, will announce stops so you can find your way easily. Also, the fares are fixed prices from the places you board, so it's easier; unlike in Singapore, the fare is calculated by the number of stops you travel.

Dinner later! More updates to come.

DAY 1: Arrival and Dinner

Anxiety and anticipation filled me, because I didn't know what Hong Kong was like, but as I touched down at Hong Kong International Airport at 8.05pm I thought I would love Hong Kong. I was wrong, as my first day was ruined pretty much by an issued warning typhoon signal 8 since afternoon.


At the waiting area in Changi


The bus after I landed


Immigration


Took the airport express to town

After which I met her. I didn't know what to feel at first, but gradually everything fell into place; and she became the person I've always known 2 months ago.

Thereafter we had dinner at a posh restaurant that cost a bomb with her colleagues from all over the world.




I've heard stories about how when you raise a hand a taxi will stop beside you; but sadly this was totally not the case on my first day. There were hundreds of people waiting at the stands in the train station. We searched high and low, everywhere, but 95% of taxis seemed to disappear. For almost 2 hours! Until we finally found a bus to our destination. Pissed I was, especially out in the cold, drenched and lugging a huge luggage.

The empty road where we waited for even a fraction of a taxi.



DAY 2: Macau

Next morning: views from hotel.



Had a hearty breakfast buffet


Hotel looking from the front


A random street in Hong Kong


Traveled to Macau via boat, took roughly 1 hour. This, of cause excluding the clearing of customs which was inefficient; I am reminded of how efficient Singapore is, and I started to appreciate such things, even the many redundant shelters in HDB estates.

The buildings, street lamps, roads etc we found were nicely built in most areas in central. Portuguese flavored. Because it was almost night, we dinnered at this 'best Portuguese served food since 1961'.




Watsons, vintage style


Central


St Dominic's Church


Ruins of St Paul



Some casinos, didn't really explore the casinos but we went into 2. Alot of baccarat, which I didn't understand, and no texas, which I would have played.

Rio casino was fine, but disappointing although it was 3 levels high.



Wished we could have stepped into Sands Casino though. Went back to Hong Kong, and boy I was glad. The taxis were back. Hordes of them. Totally opposite from day 1. What luck.

Dim sum next! Watch for updates.