Bringing this blog to the next level

My style of writing has always been random, sometimes with singlish, sometimes with hokkien (and i mean all the wha lah eh, wha biang eh), and at other times, with close-to-perfect English. In my first year of blogging, i was blogging incessantly about nothing, and it went on for the next year where i started to learn how to add pictures into my blog and write more things.

Last year was my 3rd year of blogging, where i started to find myself wanting to enhance my blog on the aesthetic side, and started to learn HTML (hypertext markup language) and brought my blogging to something more enjoyable, and at times, painful, because i have to keep searching for codes to make things work. Now, hyperlinks are an integral part of my blog, along with embedded videos from the likes of YouTube .

This year, my blog has a part in my goal setting, which is where i wanna bring this blog to another level. Beyond wanting to have a space to share my thoughts or vent my frustrations, i want to be able to write more constructively, and if possible, to be able to generate passive income. So, i've the goal written within my blog, as a constant reminder to myself of how i want my blog to move.






I aim to be a socially responsible blogger. I make no apologies and neither am i embarassed for expletive-free blogging. Nothing against bloggers who likes to use blinkity-blinkity blank, but i wanna make my blog reading-friendly. And since this year, i try not to blog about everything under the sun, but whatever catches my mind and pique my interest, greatly.

As for bringing my blog to the next level, i hasn't really have any idea about it until last week...

I received an email advertisement in my office email, with Singapore Blog Awards as the heading. Since i wasn't that busy, i just went up to the website, and read up on this happening. And, i registered my blog for the ::Most Insightful Blog. As at today, my blog is number 69th, at page 2.



Beyond a registration activity, registering for the SgBlogAwards also allows me to be able to know that there ARE alot more bloggers out there. Besides writing blog entries, i also like to read blogs.

For the past week, i've been clicking to the same page under the Singapore Blog Awards Nominee site to see if there are more people who are nominated for it, or are like me, buay-Hiau-bye, got my blog self-nominated. It seems that there are more who are like me, under the 2nd category. =)

I support Singapore Blog Awards! :)

I was browsing on the SGBlogAwards blog on updates, when i came across the entry with an introduction of Advertlets.com


Since i have another 10 minutes before lunch's over, i just clicked to the website. And i like what i saw.



The title of the website says: Putting the 'Bling' (ka-ching!) in blogging.

So, i thought to myself that, if i can earn money from my blog, why not? After all, i do blog about things that i've used and like and occasional dislikes. And it can give me an opportunity to tap into my marketing mind, where i can blog about what i think about products and services, and it may even give me a chance to earn from it. Who doesn't love having passive income?

It's easy to sign up with Advertlets.com, where the interface for bloggers are idiot-friendly (like me). Codes are readily available and easy to paste into the blog's html. And they give us the choice of whether if we want to show the types of ads on our blog, which is essential for me, since i'm not gonna promote gambling or smoking or types that are in no way connected to my blog's theme.

It will be even better if there are more options for advertising options.

Will being part of Advertlets.com enable me to bring my blogging to the next level? I dunno, but i'll never know until i try. Easy-to-use interfaces for an IT-know-not-alot is definitely a plus point for me to join. =)

GSS Damage 2008 - 1 of XX

Before i get on to the main topic on the accursed GSS damage Part 1 of xx (unknown), you may have noticed that my blogging frequency is getting longer and longer.

Reason being. . .
a) Nothing much piqued my interest and there isn't any inspiration to blog (just like a writer who needs inspiration, yours truly need to be inspire, before my fingers perspire to type on my trusty Toshiba)
b) Too tired (nah, that's a lame excuse. I'm rested from Ariel for this month). I'd say lazy lah.

The real reason, is, I'm saving up my postings. With this entry, i'm 2 entries away from the grand ole 500th entries. I'm not trying to be 无聊 to get my 500th post to coincide with my 4th year blogging anniversary, which the possibility is equivalent to zero. I'm foreseeing more entries in the next 2 weeks. And i've yet to come out with a banner to congratulate myself on the 500th entry. So, my next 2 to 3 entries are going to be really loooong.

GSS Damage
If you have been hibernating since last Thursday, then i'll need to inform you that the Grrrrllll Salary Stealer (GSS -Great Singapore Sale) has started since last Friday, 23rd May 2008. During this season, everywhere, there's a huge banner in every showcase which practically blasts the word "SALE".

S.A.L.E = The accursed word for all the banks, because every woman's weakness is this word, where they empty their wallets (and their bank accounts) to satisfy their weakness for (infinite) impulse purchases, buying eventual-revelational, unnecessary things that becomes white elephants/door stoppers/paper-flying blockers etc etc etc.

I go weak in the knees when i see the word SALE at Body Shop. And my heart nearly dropped when i saw this link in my inbox, last Thursday.

An innocent stepping into the Body Shop at Raffles City led to:

Damages counter:
3 Shower Gels for $20.90 (Good deal!)
2 Body Butters for $33.80
Total damages: $54.70 (shudders....)

After comparison, my savings for this year's GSS is only 45%, as compared to my savings during March Warehouse sale at 61.4%. But still, it's good, it's good. I guess this time's stock up will last me till the next Body Shop sale. Hahaha.

~While paying up at the counter, i was telling Jac "Haiz, one day before pay day, we burn money like that, 这样好像不对hor?"~

I'll need to defend myself to say that this money spent is no impulse purchase. I do use it, ok. And i use my brains a lot in every single transaction where i whip out my wallet. I foresee myself not stepping foot into Body Shop for the next few weeks, as they don't entice me. Any impulse purchase from Body Shop, i may even have enough stock to set up a shop in my room. Hahahaha...

Well, beyond the GSS, i'm looking forward to the *A.G.B.S that will happen for me and Well-Travelled Friend from 14-17th June.

Supa-fast (recruitment) force
God is really great! Since last Wednesday, company had a new Account Manager, on Monday,one Senior Account Manager joined us.

I'M WRITING HERE BY FAITH NOW.... Next Monday, we're gonna have our new Web Designer in. (AMEN!!!!!!)

~Updated 29th May 2008, 1705H: Designer is confirmed coming in on Monday!!! Yay!! ~

Never never never, EVER understimate the Lord's work in our lives. What seem difficult to accomplish to get the right people in, suddenly the right people came, we zoomed in and we got them.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME! Woohoo!!

Until my next update: Brainstorming my 500th entry celebrationary Banner (it's a real eye-straining-close-to-nausea process especially when i don't do photoshop. Picasa's the wrong one to use. So, gonna continue with my edit-printscreen-crop procedure)

*A.G.B.S = Always Great Bangkok Sale

Peace Panda Anpan from Breadtalk

2 Entries back, i've been talking about giving to help with the Si Chuan earthquake conditions.

Every cent that we give can really make a difference.

It's great that u can give generously to help, but of course, give what you can. Remember: People don't want to care how much you know, they only know how much you care.

Maybe you are not able to help much like donating $50 to help. Don't feel bad.

You can now help to make a difference with just $2.

Simply by popping into any Breadtalk outlets and buying a Peace Panda Anpan, you will be able to donate $2 to aid the Si Chuan Earthquake.

Do u know how much does a Anpan (red bean bread) cost? Based on my past observations, Anpans from Breadtalk will cost around $1.50. Usually, the Anpan will appear as one with smiley face (面包超人), and with some occasions, it comes out with cutsey patterns for the bread. It's current anpan is shaped with the head of the Panda (China's national animal) with a distressed mouth expression (the trauma experienced).

The Anpan from Breadtalk, when u open it up, the red bean taste good, and you can practically see the beans there. (Correct me if i'm wrong: i think it's japanese red bean). It's good quality bread that we are talking about here. And it tastes sedap.

At this point in time, Breadtalk stepped up to the occasion, and came up specially with this Peace Panda Anpan (still with the goody red bean paste in it), and help the public to have an opportunity to aid the SiChuan Earthquake. And, all proceeds goes to this cause.

Do not forget, that they are putting in extra costs and efforts, they are not getting a single cent back for baking the bread to sell to raise the funds.

I (finally), was able to try the Anpan today, while at the Bugis Junction outlet. While i made payment for other breads purchased, the cashier said that the sale for the Panda Bread was to put into a TIN that is labelled for the aid of Si Chuan earthquake. Not a single cent from there into their cash-box.

So, rest assured, that for the Peace Panda Anpans that you are paying for, 100% goes into either China Embassy or Red Cross to help aid and rebuild the lives of our fellow human race in China.

So wherever you pass by a Breadtalk outlet, do drop by to purchase the Peace Panda Anpan. =)

Hope in the midst of darkness

Sensor of life...... led to eternal silence.

Their future, their children, separated eternally by this natural disaster.

The cause of the SiChuan earthquake since last week, has taken away, many thousands of lives. Young kids, the future of the generation, was in school during the time it happened. It left many parents crushed and devasted, as they were those who followed the 1 child policy. Their only future, killed by the angry earthquake.

Alas, the poor children couldn't even have a proper burial place. They don't even have a tombstone, except for a piece of paper, showing the dead children's name and picture.

There was a man, who carried the corpse of his wife on a scooter to bury her.

Amongst the survivors, a woman made a decision to amputate her leg to get to safety. A man survived on urine and eating diapers to survive 100+ hours after being stranded among the rubble.

Yet, in the midst of these sadness, love is felt all around.

A lactating mother, a policewoman, went around feeding babies with her milk, leaving her own baby to the care of her parents. That is sacrifice. Celebrities are pouring in money, to assist with providing blankets, beds, food, for those who are in SiChuan. The charities are working hard to raise funds to help. Everyone is working together to help to ease the pain.

Love is not expressed in words. People do not care how much you know, they only want to know how much you care.

You may not have met anyone of those you are helping/gonna help/thinking of helping, maybe not even once in your lifetime. But, ever small effort will make a big difference in their lives, by lessening their pain, be it much or little.

WHERE IS THE LOVE??



LOVE is seen where, there is selflessness, care and concern is shown, beyond your skin color, ethnicity, language, or religion. Love and care for your fellow human race.

Pray for China. Pray for Myanmar.

Pre-holiday movie: Made of Honor

While taking to Well-travelled Friend online at 3pm, i suddenly had an urge to watch a movie.

This year i've watched quite a few shows, namely:
- Kungfu Dunk (with cg)
- 老师嫁老大 (with well-travelled friend)
- Leap years (with well-travelled friend)
- 三国志，见龙缷甲(with cg)
- Iron man (with church friends)
- Made of Honor (with well-travelled friend)

I've just watched Made of Honor, which ended about 2 hours ago. And i must say that 8 days did quite a dis-service to the movie by giving it only a pathetic 2 stars.

The show is heart-warming, and really sweet. The male protagonist started with being a 花花公子 who likes to sleep around, but have a confidente around him who is his bestest friend. And when this bestest friend is to marry off away to a faraway land, he realizes that she is THE one for him, and changes his perception towards marriage. Anyway, to cut the long story short, they were happily married at the end of the story, with his dad (the ultimate 花花公子) who finds his 7th wife.

As i've watched it during a pre-holiday, this movie cost me $10. But i must say, it's really worth it. And i think it deserves at least 3 stars out of 5.

I present the Made of Honor Trailer:



To my cousin, Chien: U can watch movie as a mark of you achieving ur NC-16 movie status. =)

*****

Dear everyone,

For the past week, we have read on papers, heard on radio, seen on tv, the plight of our fellow human race suffering in Myanmar, and in China. Hundreds and thousands of people were made homeless, or buried alive or even died due to the earthquakes.

As i talked about going to movies, i can't help but feel that we are so fortunate to be living in Singapore, away from all the nature disasters that we only read or seen through tv and newspapers. But, to those living in the affected areas in Myanmar and Sichuan, they are going through grief, death, unexplainable sadness, and a possible cause of plaque, due to the harsh conditions of the earthquakes' aftermath.

What can we do? We may not be able to be physically there, but we do what we can, like giving of food or even giving money to assist. However small a sum may not amount to much in your eyes, but it plays a big part, be it to feed someone, buying a bed/blanket, or paying for medicine for the injured who are suffering from the disasters in Myanmar or China.

You can make your donation through Red Cross Society or Mercy Relief. No matter how small your contribution is, you can help to make a difference.

Collage without Picasa

I've been experimenting on how i can do up a collage without the use of Picasa.

AND I'm proud to present, my latest collage, which you are looking at.

It's totally possible to do collage without Picasa. But of course, Picasa is a great tool definitely.

I took like 20 mins to print-screen, paste, crop etc etc etc. And i got this.

I know this is very amateurish lor, but it's a good try, i guess. =)

At the same time, to show what i call a rare-sighting of Furby, in his good looks. Mind u, he doesn't look this good everyday, without fur from his nose to block his big beautiful, and squarish eyes.

This is the only dog that i know is camera-shy. I have to take like 10 random pictures to find these 3 pictures which are the cream of the crop of my finds.

PS: 6 entries to 500!!

反常的星期一

为啥在这个时候我会在家呢？？

不是在教补习吗？

今天比较反常。身体好虚。好累。差不多快生病？

况且，考试已过，可以让学生休息一下下。

可能要发烧了？？？？ urgh!

可以说特别的反常。我还用华文！wha biang eh!

~~Blog Entry Removed~~

Edit on 30th May 2008: There is no longer a need for the existence of this blog entry.

I've seen a most beautiful cloud after the emotional storm. [even though this picture was taken last November. But isn't the cloud most special and beautiful?]

It's a matter of perspective, of yourself. No one can paste any 阿猫阿狗 label on you, except yourself.

What i wanna say is: You can only be able to understand yourself, after you can be 100% truthful with yourself.

To Paris by Mrt

I have a well-travelled friend, who doesn't really know the way around travelling on MRT. So it's obvious that this well-travelled friend is a cab-supporting fan.

She im-ed me before lunch:

*****
Well-travelled friend: From Outram to Pasir Ris, do i take from Outram to Seng Kang and change to Pasir Ris?

Me: .... No need.

U can see that it's obvious this Well-travelled friend doesn't really know the Mrt route well. Wha biang eh! Seng Kang where got interchange to the EW Line?

After all the yahdah yahdah...

Well-travelled friend: Ok, i going to [somewhere] take train to City to eat then take Mrt up to Paris again.

(after a moment of silence)

Me: Paris?? You Siao ah!

Well-travelled friend: Yeah, in my dream.

Me: I learnt something new today. Can take Mrt to Paris. ROTFL x 30

*****

I don't mind paying $3 from my house Clementi to Paris. Which i have to agree, only happen in our dreams.

Ps: i nearly wanted to abbreviate this Well-travelled friend, so i won't type so much. But it happened that the abbreviation will stain my vulgarity-free blog. (NO PUN INTENDED)

EDITED AT 1825HRS : 9 ENTRIES TO 500 POSTINGS! Yay!!!

Congeniality Ad - Must must must watch!

The bestest and most inspiring advertisement, from our friendly neighbor, Malaysia!



What about this ad?

This ad is not just about a boy who declaring to the whole wide world (www) that he loves his girlfriend.

It's about staying color-blind.

At many times, especially in a multi-cultural society, there will be tendency of looking down on those who are of a darker skin/ethnicity.

It's not about being Congeniality-Inspired. It's about respect and acceptance.

Now, u have 2 choices:

If u are touched by this, spread this wonderful advertisement of respect and acceptance.

If you are not, type this right now, on your keyboard [Alt + F4].

The missing voice is back!

"How's my voice?"

I was still in dreamland, recuperating from watching Ironman from 12am - 2am on Labour Day morning. And was feeling blurry and sensing that my mother opened my door, and started to off the air-con and open all the windows.

Maybe it was the heat that did that. Thought i heard distinctively that my mother opened her mouth and made a sound, which she shouldn't be for 2 weeks.

Instintively, i opened my eyes, stunned at what i'm hearing.

My mummy actually spoke - 1 week after the nodule operation! Whoa!

Mummy had gone for a specialist check up on Wed, and Dr Garfield praised her for being a 乖 patient. Of course! My mother didn't speak for 1 whole week, only ate porridge, wrote a lot (since she liked to talk quite a bit). I guess her fingers are quite tired.

Though she can speak, she's still nursing a sore throat, so she's refraining from speaking unless necessary.

Praise GOD! Speedy speedy recovery! =)

Iron Man

Have got a last-minute invitation to watch a midnight movie, after my tuition.

Seriously, i was feeling a bit tired, but yet, wanted to take the chance to catch a movie, and i stated my choice for Iron Man.

I could have some down time after tuition to go home, bathe, chill out for a while before stepping out for the 12am movie. But after thinking through, i decided to meet directly at Cineleisure for the movie, after eating from one eating place (Kobayashi) to this other slow-moving Japanese Pasta and Pizza place (forgot the name) on the 3rd floor.

Iron Man, was after all, a comic book character. What enticed me is that my trusty weekly magazine, 8 days gave it 3.5 stars. So, i've watched it. And Boy oh boy, the plot's really good with all the technicalities - effects la.

Love all the mechanism and the color and cool kuan that the main lead has. It's an action movie but with super good plot.

I strongly recommend! Definitely worth my $10.50.

Before u decide whether if you should watch the show, here's the trailer.



Anticipating the movie yet?

They are available at cinemas near you.

Ps: Check out the website, very interactive and apt to push for the movie.