Polar bears drown as ice shelf melts
The Sunday Times December 18, 2005
Will Iredale
SCIENTISTS have for the first time found evidence that polar bears are drowning because climate change is melting the Arctic ice shelf.
The researchers were startled to find bears having to swim up to 60 miles across open sea to find food. They are being forced into the long voyages because the ice floes from which they feed are melting, becoming smaller and drifting farther apart.
Although polar bears are strong swimmers, they are adapted for swimming close to the shore. Their sea journeys leave them them vulnerable to exhaustion, hypothermia or being swamped by waves.
According to the new research, four bear carcases were found floating in one month in a single patch of sea off the north coast of Alaska, where average summer temperatures have increased by 2-3C degrees since 1950s.
The scientists believe such drownings are becoming widespread across the Arctic, an inevitable consequence of the doubling in the past 20 years of the proportion of polar bears having to swim in open seas.
“Mortalities due to offshore swimming may be a relatively important and unaccounted source of natural mortality given the energetic demands placed on individual bears engaged in long-distance swimming,” says the research led by Dr Charles Monnett, marine ecologist at the American government’s Minerals Management Service. “Drowning-related deaths of polar bears may increase in the future if the observed trend of regression of pack ice continues.”
The research, presented to a conference on marine mammals in San Diego, California, last week, comes amid evidence of a decline in numbers of the 22,000 polar bears that live in about 20 sites across the Arctic circle.
In Hudson Bay, Canada, the site of the most southerly polar bears, a study by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service to be published next year will show the population fell 22% from 1,194 in 1987 to 935 last year.
New evidence from field researchers working for the World Wildlife Fund in Yakutia, on the northeast coast of Russia, has also shown the region’s first evidence of cannibalism among bears competing for food supplies.
Polar bears live on ice all year round and use it as a platform from which to hunt food and rear their young. They hunt near the edge, where the ice is thinnest, catching seals when they make holes in the ice to breath. They typically eat one seal every four or five days and a single bear can consume 100lb of blubber at one sitting.
As the ice pack retreats north in the summer between June and October, the bears must travel between ice floes to continue hunting in areas such as the shallow water of the continental shelf off the Alaskan coast — one of the most food-rich areas in the Arctic.
However, last summer the ice cap receded about 200 miles further north than the average of two decades ago, forcing the bears to undertake far longer voyages between floes.
“We know short swims up to 15 miles are no problem, and we know that one or two may have swum up to 100 miles. But that is the extent of their ability, and if they are trying to make such a long swim and they encounter rough seas they could get into trouble,” said Steven Amstrup, a research wildlife biologist with the USGS.
The new study, carried out in part of the Beaufort Sea, shows that between 1986 and 2005 just 4% of the bears spotted off the north coast of Alaska were swimming in open waters. Not a single drowning had been documented in the area.
However, last September, when the ice cap had retreated a record 160 miles north of Alaska, 51 bears were spotted, of which 20% were seen in the open sea, swimming as far as 60 miles off shore.
The researchers returned to the vicinity a few days later after a fierce storm and found four dead bears floating in the water. “We estimate that of the order of 40 bears may have been swimming and that many of those probably drowned as a result of rough seas caused by high winds,” said the report.
In their search for food, polar bears are also having to roam further south, rummaging in the dustbins of Canadian homes. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the explorer who has been to the North Pole seven times, said he had noticed a deterioration in the bears’ ice habitat since his first expedition in 1975.
“Each year there was more water than the time before,” he said. “We used amphibious sledges for the first time in 1986.”
His last expedition was in 2002, when he fell through the ice and lost some of his fingers to frostbite.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
Racial riots in Sydney...
By Les Kennedy, Damien Murphy, Malcolm Brown and Tim Colquhoun
December 12, 2005
"RACIAL violence erupted in several Sydney suburbs last night in retaliation for a rampage by thousands of young residents through Cronulla that turned the seaside suburb into a battlefield."
i love australia having spent some time there. i just feel that sometimes the australians there can be a bit over the top... picking on the wrong issues (eg the death penalty thingy - so two-faced. It is ok to sentence the Bali bombers to death and not a drug trafficker?) and people.
While i was there, one of my friend, a second-generation australian of french descent was beaten up really badly by a gang of thugs cos of his ancestry. And they had targetted him... it wasn't a random attack.. he got amubshed near his house. This was during the time when france was doing some nuclear testing in the pacific. By beating up a fellow australian just cos his parents were from france.. what were they trying to prove?
And on and off... stuff like house mate ganna pelted with eggs... glass beer bottles.. well don't know if that was racially motivated or that cos she was a random target.
Sometimes Australians can be the nicest and friendiest people.. but then there are those like this..
just sad that people can spoil such a beautiful country.
BTW.. i really like the Cronulla Sharks. Go Mat Rogers! kekeke... always enjoyed watching him play for the sharks.. sigh.. i miss going for games in winter.. sitting on the darn cold metal benches.. wearing woolly hats and gloves.. drinking beer and eating a hot dog and yelling "wanker" at the top of my voice at every opportunity.
December 12, 2005
"RACIAL violence erupted in several Sydney suburbs last night in retaliation for a rampage by thousands of young residents through Cronulla that turned the seaside suburb into a battlefield."
i love australia having spent some time there. i just feel that sometimes the australians there can be a bit over the top... picking on the wrong issues (eg the death penalty thingy - so two-faced. It is ok to sentence the Bali bombers to death and not a drug trafficker?) and people.
While i was there, one of my friend, a second-generation australian of french descent was beaten up really badly by a gang of thugs cos of his ancestry. And they had targetted him... it wasn't a random attack.. he got amubshed near his house. This was during the time when france was doing some nuclear testing in the pacific. By beating up a fellow australian just cos his parents were from france.. what were they trying to prove?
And on and off... stuff like house mate ganna pelted with eggs... glass beer bottles.. well don't know if that was racially motivated or that cos she was a random target.
Sometimes Australians can be the nicest and friendiest people.. but then there are those like this..
just sad that people can spoil such a beautiful country.
BTW.. i really like the Cronulla Sharks. Go Mat Rogers! kekeke... always enjoyed watching him play for the sharks.. sigh.. i miss going for games in winter.. sitting on the darn cold metal benches.. wearing woolly hats and gloves.. drinking beer and eating a hot dog and yelling "wanker" at the top of my voice at every opportunity.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
The Library Pledge
Got this from a contact who claims that her friend is a library fiend.
It is darn hilarious... Can we get all new and existing library members to read the pledge and sign it in blood??
kekkekekekekekekekkee.........
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM THE LIBRARY VIGILANTE CORPS
When you receive this chain e-book, kindly memorise
the following pledge and recite it every morning after
you brush your teeth, and once before going to bed.
THE LIBRARY PLEDGE
I, a good member of the library, promise to stick to
the terms and conditions of the library membership,
kindly granted to me by the highest, most knowing,
most literate of all organisations - the LIBRARY.
I promise to never extend my library borrowing period,
and to never accumulate fines. When visiting the
library, I promise to wear soft-soled shoes, to never
disturb other members of the borrowing public, and to
switch off my handphone and to knock the heads of
random members of the public if they do not do the
same.
I promise to lobby for the rights of books to be
wrapped in traditional plastic, measured and handcut
by librarians, and not cheap slip-on covers leftover
from the clearance sales of MPH in 1980.
I promise to not fold pages, or damage book corners,
or to pick my nose when reading books, or to read my
library books in the toilet, thereby encouraging the
population of silverfish.
I promise to undertake the national service required
of me to prevent the terror of silverfish and moths
and other insects detrimental to the health of the
precious library books.
Above all, I promise to never visit bookstores which
undermine the membership, the prestige and glamour of
the library. ( UNLIKE THE CLANDESTINE ACTIVITIES OF
CERTAIN BOOK SNOBS WHO PASS THEMSELVES OFF AS BOOK
COLLECTORS).
I promise to always wash my hands and sterilise my
hands before touching any library books or
audio-visual materials.
With my hand over my heart, I pledge that I will give
of my best to the library and be a library
regulations-abiding member of the borrowing public!
HAIL LIBRARY!
It is darn hilarious... Can we get all new and existing library members to read the pledge and sign it in blood??
kekkekekekekekekekkee.........
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM THE LIBRARY VIGILANTE CORPS
When you receive this chain e-book, kindly memorise
the following pledge and recite it every morning after
you brush your teeth, and once before going to bed.
THE LIBRARY PLEDGE
I, a good member of the library, promise to stick to
the terms and conditions of the library membership,
kindly granted to me by the highest, most knowing,
most literate of all organisations - the LIBRARY.
I promise to never extend my library borrowing period,
and to never accumulate fines. When visiting the
library, I promise to wear soft-soled shoes, to never
disturb other members of the borrowing public, and to
switch off my handphone and to knock the heads of
random members of the public if they do not do the
same.
I promise to lobby for the rights of books to be
wrapped in traditional plastic, measured and handcut
by librarians, and not cheap slip-on covers leftover
from the clearance sales of MPH in 1980.
I promise to not fold pages, or damage book corners,
or to pick my nose when reading books, or to read my
library books in the toilet, thereby encouraging the
population of silverfish.
I promise to undertake the national service required
of me to prevent the terror of silverfish and moths
and other insects detrimental to the health of the
precious library books.
Above all, I promise to never visit bookstores which
undermine the membership, the prestige and glamour of
the library. ( UNLIKE THE CLANDESTINE ACTIVITIES OF
CERTAIN BOOK SNOBS WHO PASS THEMSELVES OFF AS BOOK
COLLECTORS).
I promise to always wash my hands and sterilise my
hands before touching any library books or
audio-visual materials.
With my hand over my heart, I pledge that I will give
of my best to the library and be a library
regulations-abiding member of the borrowing public!
HAIL LIBRARY!
Monday, December 05, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
X'mas present for me?
All i know is that i need a new phone...
mine's crap right now.. in fact.. it's worse than crap. if i drop my phone on the floor? chances of people picking it up is zero.. and they'd even step on it... wouldn't even pick it up.. like i do with my dog's poop. So.. it's worse than crap. sigh....
So which model should i get now?
i have been drooling over this phone for the longest time.. but sad to say.. i cannot afford it.
This is also on the expensive side..
So now.. it's a close fight between this and this...
Kekekeke... nice hot pink huh?
mine's crap right now.. in fact.. it's worse than crap. if i drop my phone on the floor? chances of people picking it up is zero.. and they'd even step on it... wouldn't even pick it up.. like i do with my dog's poop. So.. it's worse than crap. sigh....
So which model should i get now?
i have been drooling over this phone for the longest time.. but sad to say.. i cannot afford it.
This is also on the expensive side..So now.. it's a close fight between this and this...
Kekekeke... nice hot pink huh?
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Lelong lelong...
In conjunction with the annual Asian Children's Festival, the national library board of singapore got some of her librarians to write original stories and publish them in kamishibai style storycards.
There are 2 kits available... one packaged as childhood stories and the other as animal stories. Each kit contains 4 stories and each story has 6 picture cards that you can read/storytell to children.
i only managed to get my hands on the animals stories set and i must say that it is very nicely done.
The four stories in the animal kit are as follows
The Song of the Forest by Ivan Chew
The Owl
How Hen Got Her Cluck
Hippy's Toothache
Check it out!
i love the expression on duck's face... can see that she total buay siong!!
The storytelling kits will be made available for sale in the libraries in the near future. Do check it out. It's a real bargain by the way. 4 stories at $10.50 (inclusive of gst).
So will the librarians be writing and publishing their own stories in the near future.. it'd be great to see your colleagues', even your own book in the public libraries.
time to put on my thinking cap and start writing stories.... new resolution!!
There are 2 kits available... one packaged as childhood stories and the other as animal stories. Each kit contains 4 stories and each story has 6 picture cards that you can read/storytell to children.
i only managed to get my hands on the animals stories set and i must say that it is very nicely done.
The four stories in the animal kit are as follows
The Song of the Forest by Ivan Chew
The Owl
How Hen Got Her Cluck
Hippy's Toothache
Check it out!
i love the expression on duck's face... can see that she total buay siong!!
The storytelling kits will be made available for sale in the libraries in the near future. Do check it out. It's a real bargain by the way. 4 stories at $10.50 (inclusive of gst).
So will the librarians be writing and publishing their own stories in the near future.. it'd be great to see your colleagues', even your own book in the public libraries.
time to put on my thinking cap and start writing stories.... new resolution!!
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
time to make new year's resolution...
hrrmmpp... i missed a special screening of Wallace and Gromit, the curse of the were-rabbit today.. quite upsetting actually... especially when the screening will only start on 29th Dec when i could have watched it today!!!Time to sign up for Singapore Film Society so that i don't miss all these events again... after all.. kekekekke.. i have all the time in the world.
i've got my eye on you...
even though i'm not a big fan of bread.. here's one book that i can't wait to get my hands on. I'm sure that reading that book will make make mega drool .. if only they would hve accompanying pictures.Did i mention that i just love Provence and peter mayle's writing?
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Tomorrow's the day...
Got tickets to premiere viewing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
So excited!!
So excited!!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Warning to all dog owners: Walking you dog could lead to you leaving your partner, changing your job or even deciding to have children.
Why is this not surprising.. i do know of people who got dogs liao then went on to have kids... *hint* *hint*
"That is, according to new research from a pet insurance firm which claims a third of dog owners have reached major life changing decisions after walking the dog.The study found that men are more likely to think about practicalities such as work and money when walking the dog, while women focus on more emotional issues such as the family and relationships. It's a well-known fact that the exercise involved with walking the dog can benefit health, but it would appear a stroll with the dog can also stimulate and clarify the mind enough to reach big life decisions.
Research shows that many dog owners see walks with their pets as an important part of their day and a key time to reflect on their lives.
Psychotherapist Christine Webber commented: "Taking the dog for a walk gives people the chance to enjoy personal time alone out in the open. They can also enjoy the unconditional love they get from their pet when, perhaps, they don't feel they're being appreciated by a partner or their family. That's why the dog-walk sometimes provides appropriate space and time for some very serious decision-making about the future."
The study also revealed that dog-walking isn't always a top priority for owners. North Eastern dog owners are the most likely to use dog-walking as cover for a secret rendezvous and when Scots are supposed to be walking the dog, one in five are actually nipping for a quick pint in their local pub or snooping on their neighbours. Meanwhile over half of Welsh owners view time with their pet as a chance to 'get away and ponder life'. Dog-walking is widely regarded as a worthwhile social activity which not only keeps owners in great shape but is also hugely popular amongst dogs.
According to research over half of dog-walkers have made friendships while walking the dog and say that their pet has enhanced their social lives. A few had even met a partner or lover for the first time while walking the dog."
*Survey conducted in September 2005 amongst 1,615 UK pet-owners **Data Monitor Pet Report 2004
"That is, according to new research from a pet insurance firm which claims a third of dog owners have reached major life changing decisions after walking the dog.The study found that men are more likely to think about practicalities such as work and money when walking the dog, while women focus on more emotional issues such as the family and relationships. It's a well-known fact that the exercise involved with walking the dog can benefit health, but it would appear a stroll with the dog can also stimulate and clarify the mind enough to reach big life decisions.
Research shows that many dog owners see walks with their pets as an important part of their day and a key time to reflect on their lives.
Psychotherapist Christine Webber commented: "Taking the dog for a walk gives people the chance to enjoy personal time alone out in the open. They can also enjoy the unconditional love they get from their pet when, perhaps, they don't feel they're being appreciated by a partner or their family. That's why the dog-walk sometimes provides appropriate space and time for some very serious decision-making about the future."
The study also revealed that dog-walking isn't always a top priority for owners. North Eastern dog owners are the most likely to use dog-walking as cover for a secret rendezvous and when Scots are supposed to be walking the dog, one in five are actually nipping for a quick pint in their local pub or snooping on their neighbours. Meanwhile over half of Welsh owners view time with their pet as a chance to 'get away and ponder life'. Dog-walking is widely regarded as a worthwhile social activity which not only keeps owners in great shape but is also hugely popular amongst dogs.
According to research over half of dog-walkers have made friendships while walking the dog and say that their pet has enhanced their social lives. A few had even met a partner or lover for the first time while walking the dog."
*Survey conducted in September 2005 amongst 1,615 UK pet-owners **Data Monitor Pet Report 2004
something good and something bad
my sister totally surprised me with a initial d movie poster the other day.. it's great.. now i just need to look for a frame to put it up on my wall :)
she got me this one. Cool huh? now i can drool over jay.. oh.. and his new cd is not bad.. go get it and listen to it.
And the bad thing that happened? Had to fix my car cos the fan was ka-put... and had to fix myself... surgery... errr... first time ever in my life... so now.. me very free on mc.. though a bit in pain and lots of discomfort..and not forgetting that it's a great time to diet and lose weight.. i probably can go and read my books in peace... provided i don't get sidetracked and be disturbed by my dog.... he will look at me with those liquid brown eyes and would beseech me to go out with him.. and go running/walkies/swimming/playing with me..
oh well... see how..
Monday, November 07, 2005
wat have i been up to?
lots of mini projects..
first on the list...
making x'mas cards.. it's so easy now with photoshop..
and yes.. i am discovering how to play with my pictures... add little details and such.. and X'mas a great time to just send cards out.. and update and take stock of what had happened over the past 12 months.
Time sure flies.. ..
so wat did i do/accopmlish this year.. start to think already..
got good things and bad things.. oh well... maybe you'd find out if you get one of my x'mas cards.
hee hee hee hee hee hee...
oh.. and i'm supposed to finish reading the chronicles of narnia!! AARRRGGHHHH!! too many books to read.. so little time!!
first on the list...
making x'mas cards.. it's so easy now with photoshop..
and yes.. i am discovering how to play with my pictures... add little details and such.. and X'mas a great time to just send cards out.. and update and take stock of what had happened over the past 12 months.
Time sure flies.. ..
so wat did i do/accopmlish this year.. start to think already..
got good things and bad things.. oh well... maybe you'd find out if you get one of my x'mas cards.
hee hee hee hee hee hee...
oh.. and i'm supposed to finish reading the chronicles of narnia!! AARRRGGHHHH!! too many books to read.. so little time!!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Monday, October 31, 2005
What kind of dog are you?
You scored as Bernese Mountain Dog. You're a Bernese Mountain Dog! A personal favorite of mine, this dog is loyal, protective, and funny. You love attention and romping about!
What kind of dog are you most like? created with QuizFarm.com |
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Google's battle over library books
Is google going to be the biggest copyright violator?
Read about it here
Excerpt:
Ten months ago, Google announced that it planned to scan, digitize and make searchable the collections of five of the largest libraries in the world. At first, it seemed like one of those nifty ideas that regularly percolate out of the young search giant.
But there's a big catch: Many of those books are protected by copyrights, and Google is requiring copyright holders to opt out of the scanning process if they don't want their books in libraries to be searchable.
Read about it here
Excerpt:
Ten months ago, Google announced that it planned to scan, digitize and make searchable the collections of five of the largest libraries in the world. At first, it seemed like one of those nifty ideas that regularly percolate out of the young search giant.
But there's a big catch: Many of those books are protected by copyrights, and Google is requiring copyright holders to opt out of the scanning process if they don't want their books in libraries to be searchable.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Argument...
Constant vigilance... makes you fat or skinny?i was very surprised to see pictures of Mad-eye Moody, portrayed by Brendan Gleeson in the movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. BTW... the end of my suffering is in sight!
Anyway... i always had the impression that he was a gnarled skinny fellow.. with a chunk of his nose missing, walks heavily due to his missharpened claw for a foot and as such.
However, he turned out to be a plump/meaty/broad/fat fellow!!!
My argument is that he is one paranoid fellow.. who kept thinking that Death-eaters are out to harm him..afterall his motto is CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!.. wouldn't that make you sleepless... anxious... lose appetite? Com'on.. the fellow had to use his own cutlery and flask to eat and drink.. so even though the books didn't say if he was fat or skinny. Spoiler ahead... and i hear some might say that Mad-eye Moody was Barty Crouch in disguise... wouldn't he be skinny too cos he was sneaking around.... playing this double role.. and having to keep drinking the polyjuice potion every two hours?
And then, my friend countered... well... maybe cos he is one of those who eats when they are stressed out.
Win already lor. kekekkekekekek..
Facewise.. i did think that the magical eye does look unmagical.. but i guess have to wait
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
How many have you read?
Check this out.. Time Magazine picks the 100 best english novels from 1932 to present.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Kindness and generosity when you least expect it
I'm jaded of people and their motives.. but sometimes.. things work in mysterious ways and makes you have faith in people again.
I haven't brought cash out with me yesterday... i figured that since i had my atm card (want cash can withdraw), IC, phone, keys... that'd be fine.
But in the mist of doing something.. i realised that i had needed cash.. $10 in fact very badly.. and the nearest atm was miles away.. there was very little chance of me getting to the atm in time to get the $$. I actually made an appeal.. asking if i could do a IOU/ send cheque.. or watever.. (everything was a no!.. at least the library accepts NETs, EZ-Link, cashcard or cheque) BLAH!!!
Then this complete stranger came up to me and gave me $10. he didn't even want to leave his name or telephone number for me to return the money to him. All he said that he could see how disappointed i was that i didn't have the money.. and he just offered it to me.
Thank You!... I'm going to stake out the place where i met him so that i can return the cash. Else.. i will pass the favor on.
Thank you so much again.. and knowing/realising that there are nice people out there.
I haven't brought cash out with me yesterday... i figured that since i had my atm card (want cash can withdraw), IC, phone, keys... that'd be fine.
But in the mist of doing something.. i realised that i had needed cash.. $10 in fact very badly.. and the nearest atm was miles away.. there was very little chance of me getting to the atm in time to get the $$. I actually made an appeal.. asking if i could do a IOU/ send cheque.. or watever.. (everything was a no!.. at least the library accepts NETs, EZ-Link, cashcard or cheque) BLAH!!!
Then this complete stranger came up to me and gave me $10. he didn't even want to leave his name or telephone number for me to return the money to him. All he said that he could see how disappointed i was that i didn't have the money.. and he just offered it to me.
Thank You!... I'm going to stake out the place where i met him so that i can return the cash. Else.. i will pass the favor on.
Thank you so much again.. and knowing/realising that there are nice people out there.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Monday, October 03, 2005
Come and meet Kingsley
it's funny... after my silky terrier, tori died, i felt that i wasn't ready to replace her with another dog. It was only after 3 year that i started craving for a doggy companion, even resorting to "borrowing" Whiskey (my cousin's husky) for walks.
I loved border collies and had always wanted to get one (blame it on "Babe" the movie and my stint in Australia) as i always think that they would highly complement my lifestyle, running, blading, playing in the sun and such. However, they weren't very easy to find in Singapore and mighty expensive (Soo Kee had a couple which was going for $2700 each).
So i didn't have any plans to buy any dogs.. was just thinking of adopting, and saving a dog's life. I came across this site, www.doggysite.com and saw that they have a silky terrier for adoption. So i sent in a mail to check if the silky was available for adoption and the re-homer met up with me.. and i told her how i wanted to get a dog.. silky terrier would be lovely as i had 18 yrs of experience dealing with them.. but honestly, i would prefer a bigger dog.. a husky or a border collie to go running with. I didn't think that anything would come out of it but GUESS WAT?
They had a border collie at the shelter. And after much interaction with the shelter owners and Kingsley...i adopted Kingsley on Children's Day (1 Oct) 2005. And just apt too.. cos i got to celebrate his 4th birthday with him on 3 Oct 2005. :) (Thanks Vivien for the birthday frisbee for Kingsley to play with!!!)
So... do pop by and say hi to kingsley... he is really lovable, friendly, smart, obedient... and non-barky at all.
I've been bringing him around to meet Whiskey, Brandy and even Humpfrey... so yeah..come and meet him!
Check him out at www.kingsleydog.com
Thursday, September 29, 2005
funny how life turns out...
everything is timing.
can't say anything else except that i have been bouncing everywhere.. off the floor, off the seat, off the walls, off the ceiling on my very own cloud nine. Can't wait for the weekend to come... don't want to spoil the surprise.. and burst my own bubble. would rather reveal it all when everything is under control and that i am absolutely sure that things will turn out the way i am hoping, wishing and crossing my fingers for.
Things cannot be better.. well except when i win the first prize in my company's lucky draw and that i finally graduate.
kekekekekekekekkkk
can't say anything else except that i have been bouncing everywhere.. off the floor, off the seat, off the walls, off the ceiling on my very own cloud nine. Can't wait for the weekend to come... don't want to spoil the surprise.. and burst my own bubble. would rather reveal it all when everything is under control and that i am absolutely sure that things will turn out the way i am hoping, wishing and crossing my fingers for.
Things cannot be better.. well except when i win the first prize in my company's lucky draw and that i finally graduate.
kekekekekekekekkkk
Monday, September 26, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Movie under the stars
Was mid-autumn festival over the weekend. Was planning to join a gathering but it was only during the last minute that i discovered that my beloved friend couldn't make it. So scrapped the lantern carrying, candle burning and sparklers lighting.. but.. i still managed to go for the Starlight cinema.
Been going there for the past few years.. didn't make an exception this year. What was lucky was that i had won 2 entry tickets. So, managed to pack wine, fruits, mooncakes and Carl's Jr. and had a blast.... despite having seen Batman Begins and Fantastic 4.
Oh.. and i saw the Initial D car at the marina square carpark.. hee hee hee.. really cool. Managed to take a picture of it and with it. :)
Discovered how to download anime over the internet and have been having a blast watching the latest episodes.
And and..had a bet that Man U will draw or win Liverpool at Anfield .. and I won my bet.. teeheee hee hee hee.. am so very happy that i have a treat to look forward to.
Oh.. and discovered that the latest Honda Civic hatchback, Civic coupe and Civic Si is the coolest ever.. can i just drool and drool over the cars? i want to get one...
Honda Civic Hatch
Honda Civic Coupe
Honda Civic si
Been going there for the past few years.. didn't make an exception this year. What was lucky was that i had won 2 entry tickets. So, managed to pack wine, fruits, mooncakes and Carl's Jr. and had a blast.... despite having seen Batman Begins and Fantastic 4.
Oh.. and i saw the Initial D car at the marina square carpark.. hee hee hee.. really cool. Managed to take a picture of it and with it. :)
Discovered how to download anime over the internet and have been having a blast watching the latest episodes.
And and..had a bet that Man U will draw or win Liverpool at Anfield .. and I won my bet.. teeheee hee hee hee.. am so very happy that i have a treat to look forward to.
Oh.. and discovered that the latest Honda Civic hatchback, Civic coupe and Civic Si is the coolest ever.. can i just drool and drool over the cars? i want to get one...
Honda Civic Hatch
Honda Civic Coupe
Honda Civic si
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Pride and Prejudice
was really fortunate to be invited to the ultimate preview of Pride and Prejudice last night. This show is not even out in the theatres in the States, having premiered in London just on 6th Sept 2005, it will only be out in the Singapore theatres on 8th Dec. And i caught it months early. It was really a treat for me and my friend.
Pride & Prejudice
Starring Keira Knightley as Lizzie, Matthew McFadyen as Mr. Darcy, Dame Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn brings this classic battle of the sexes to life.
I love the show. The setting, costumes and landscape was so wonderful.. and the acting was fantastic. You could tell exactly when Lizzie realised that she was in love with Mr. Darcy. It was so moving and touching.. and a very intense and the ultimate love story. Mr. Darcy was so convincing in his portrayal.. and his confession of his love for Lizzie came so unexpectatedly and i was so moved by it.
You heard it here.. so do go and catch it.
i will update more with snippets from the movie.
Edit: The show will only show in Singapore on 12 Jan 2006!!!! Why???? i want to go and catch it again... and i want to get the DVD!!!
Monday, September 05, 2005
i knew her when....
This was how i remembered New Orleans.
Very colourful and vibrant Bourbon St.. it was the place to be till the wee hours of the morning. Good food too!! Oh.. and i went to the Hustler's here! Very very pretty girls!
The lovely rickety streetcars that were the inspiration for the musical, " A Streetcar Named Desire"
I was at the Lousiana Superdome to attend this concert...and yes.. i have a copy of the dvd cos it was filmed at New Orleans.. if you slow mo it.. you might catch me in the audience.
Very nice colonial houses. This is the Algiers' Court House
French Market Place where the spicy sauces could be bought...
The famous French Quarters
And here is the St. Louis Catherdal. Did you know that it is the oldest Catherdal in US?
After the Hurricane Katrina hit her, she has become a war zone...
and worse with all the looting, fighting, shooting...
it's really sad to see New Orleans become like that. Hope she recovers really fast.
Very colourful and vibrant Bourbon St.. it was the place to be till the wee hours of the morning. Good food too!! Oh.. and i went to the Hustler's here! Very very pretty girls!
The lovely rickety streetcars that were the inspiration for the musical, " A Streetcar Named Desire"
I was at the Lousiana Superdome to attend this concert...and yes.. i have a copy of the dvd cos it was filmed at New Orleans.. if you slow mo it.. you might catch me in the audience.
Very nice colonial houses. This is the Algiers' Court House
French Market Place where the spicy sauces could be bought...
The famous French Quarters
And here is the St. Louis Catherdal. Did you know that it is the oldest Catherdal in US?
After the Hurricane Katrina hit her, she has become a war zone...
and worse with all the looting, fighting, shooting...
it's really sad to see New Orleans become like that. Hope she recovers really fast.
Friday, September 02, 2005
into the last quarter
isn't it fast... we are in the last quarter of the year. sure flies.. and on some levels, i'm looking forward to the end of the end and to a new one.. there seems to be so many things that i need to complete by the end of the year and i'd sure be glad when these things/projects/tasks gets out of the way. But once i complete them.. i don't know want i should be focusing on.. wat new projects i should be taking up. Hence the apprehension in the new year. Any suggestions on wat new stuff i should do/hobbies to pick up?
know something though? i bought my 2006 calendar yesterday. Bit KS.. but since i don't get to see nice calendars for my use all the time.. no harm getting it first.. since i know that i'd be using it come soon enough. (At the rate that this year is passing by). But meanwhile.. it'd be staying in my drawer for the time being.
BTW, did you know that the third book of the Bartimaeus trilogy has been announced? i'd be glad to see that book come 1 Jan 2006.
Ptolemy's Gate (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 3) by Jonathan Stroud
Not forgetting Howl's Moving Castle out in DVD in Spring 2006!!
Oh.. and Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2) by Christopher Paolini is out in the market... quick go and get it. i don't know if there is a pricing mistake. The hardcover is selling the same price as the paperback. It's available for S$26+. Considering that normally a hardcover sells for over $30.. it's a good deal. Needless to say.. i've gotten my copy.. and am re-reading Eragon so that i can recall what happened in the first book before i read the second :)
edit - this is an excellent site on the Inheritance Trilogy. i kinda knew that the movie is in the making.. but i didn't know that it's already being filmed and the cast includes Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich!!!!
Edward Speleers Eragon
Chris Egan Roran
Jeremy Irons Brom
John Malkovich Galbatorix
Djimon Hounsou Ajihad
Sienna Guillory Arya
Robert Carlyle Durza
Garrett Hedlund Murtagh
And i still can't get over that Kino is selling The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy : and Other Stories by Tim Burton at $36.. sigh... too expenisve for me to get.
know something though? i bought my 2006 calendar yesterday. Bit KS.. but since i don't get to see nice calendars for my use all the time.. no harm getting it first.. since i know that i'd be using it come soon enough. (At the rate that this year is passing by). But meanwhile.. it'd be staying in my drawer for the time being.
BTW, did you know that the third book of the Bartimaeus trilogy has been announced? i'd be glad to see that book come 1 Jan 2006.
Ptolemy's Gate (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 3) by Jonathan Stroud
Not forgetting Howl's Moving Castle out in DVD in Spring 2006!!
Oh.. and Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2) by Christopher Paolini is out in the market... quick go and get it. i don't know if there is a pricing mistake. The hardcover is selling the same price as the paperback. It's available for S$26+. Considering that normally a hardcover sells for over $30.. it's a good deal. Needless to say.. i've gotten my copy.. and am re-reading Eragon so that i can recall what happened in the first book before i read the second :)
edit - this is an excellent site on the Inheritance Trilogy. i kinda knew that the movie is in the making.. but i didn't know that it's already being filmed and the cast includes Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich!!!!
Edward Speleers Eragon
Chris Egan Roran
Jeremy Irons Brom
John Malkovich Galbatorix
Djimon Hounsou Ajihad
Sienna Guillory Arya
Robert Carlyle Durza
Garrett Hedlund Murtagh
And i still can't get over that Kino is selling The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy : and Other Stories by Tim Burton at $36.. sigh... too expenisve for me to get.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
cheap thrill..
today.. i overtook this car on the road...
A male and obviously "ku niang" driver driving the darn yellow convertible boxster at a snail's pace, hogging the middle lane. wat a W.U.S.S ... driving so lousily in such a car... even my trusty OLK2/BOB could overtake him... he should be ashamed of his driving.. if it was me driving (though not one of my dream cars.. but hey.. if you give it to me.. who am i to complain?!!!)... i'd be burning tires man!
*screeching tires*
*waves bye bye*
*smell smoke*
A male and obviously "ku niang" driver driving the darn yellow convertible boxster at a snail's pace, hogging the middle lane. wat a W.U.S.S ... driving so lousily in such a car... even my trusty OLK2/BOB could overtake him... he should be ashamed of his driving.. if it was me driving (though not one of my dream cars.. but hey.. if you give it to me.. who am i to complain?!!!)... i'd be burning tires man!
*screeching tires*
*waves bye bye*
*smell smoke*
Friday, August 26, 2005
so many things happened..
decided to make certain (permanent) changes in my life. wasn't a easy decision to make.. but i had decided to go ahead. hope that they'd turn out well.
and decided to go for the singapore marathon too... well.. let's hope that i get enough training and don't chicken out when the day arrives.
anyway.. was going home after dinner on wednesday when my companions and i came across a strange sight. Now.. i had wanted to take a picture of it.. after all it is not very often that you see things like this on the roads of singapore. But all my friends were going, "No... got policeman.. wait he catches you.. driving and taking pictures.. very dangerous you know!".. etc etc.. so i kept my camera... this is despite of reassurances that i can multi-task. i suppose the flash would have given me away.
Well.. given that i didn't managed to get a picture. i decided to draw wat i saw. Ermm.. haven't drawn for the longest time.. despite of my artistic inclination years ago.. so presenting... the SIDEWAYS CAR!!
That's the police bike, policeman and the sideways car.. it was totally flipped on its side.
As i turned into my road.. it looked like that.. i believe that it was a kind of station wagon. My friends and i figured that it was either the passengers (really heavy ones) were all sitting on the passager side.. causing to flip over.. or the driver u-turned really fast.. and just flipped over.. or maybe it's a combination of both..
har har har.. i don't think that anyone was hurt... no ambulance or anything.. and even the driver wasn't there.. maybe it was just abandoned :)
and decided to go for the singapore marathon too... well.. let's hope that i get enough training and don't chicken out when the day arrives.
anyway.. was going home after dinner on wednesday when my companions and i came across a strange sight. Now.. i had wanted to take a picture of it.. after all it is not very often that you see things like this on the roads of singapore. But all my friends were going, "No... got policeman.. wait he catches you.. driving and taking pictures.. very dangerous you know!".. etc etc.. so i kept my camera... this is despite of reassurances that i can multi-task. i suppose the flash would have given me away.
Well.. given that i didn't managed to get a picture. i decided to draw wat i saw. Ermm.. haven't drawn for the longest time.. despite of my artistic inclination years ago.. so presenting... the SIDEWAYS CAR!!
That's the police bike, policeman and the sideways car.. it was totally flipped on its side.
As i turned into my road.. it looked like that.. i believe that it was a kind of station wagon. My friends and i figured that it was either the passengers (really heavy ones) were all sitting on the passager side.. causing to flip over.. or the driver u-turned really fast.. and just flipped over.. or maybe it's a combination of both..
har har har.. i don't think that anyone was hurt... no ambulance or anything.. and even the driver wasn't there.. maybe it was just abandoned :)
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