English Countryside?

_MG_0980_091003, originally uploaded by iwynx.

Nope..This place is somewhere in Singapore. Honestly, I didn’t believe such a place exists till I went there myself with my wifey to celebrate her birthday in a special country side place..And true enough, this place is really worth the drive all the way from Sengkang!

We will be back for sure

The set is available here for viewing

Jumping Bean Cafe@18th October 2008

The date 18th October 2008. Today’s the official opening of the jumping bean cafe over at Tampines West Community Center at 5, Tampines Avenue 3.

Jumping Bean Cafe@Tampines West YEC

Tuck in a quiet corner within the community, what could be a better way to announce the existence of this wonderful cafe meant for youth than a rock concert by youths?

So, today, we have managed to get 3 bands to perform to give the cafe a rousing start.

XX announcing the start of the concert@Jumping Bean… And so we were treated to a two and half hour gig by youth band like CMI, Rock # 2 and Band #3.

CMI… playing to the crowd.

Band #2

The Shannon Star…I managed to find them on myspace! Here’s their url…

Many YEC Members, namely, Joanne, Matthew,Michael, Easmond, Linda, Caroline and husband were on site to help out. And of course, myself doing the photography part. The cafe conception is largely meant for youth to test out their entrepreneurship and it is also a place where youths can come and mingle have a cuppa of cafe cappuccino, latte, etc and truly a place where they can identify with themselves.

Before I go any further, some food for thought, “A number of studies have indicated that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s”. Well, not something you associate with youth but you get the gist, coffee can be really good for you, so come on down to the cafe and help yourself to some gourmet coffee drinks.

C.M.I doing their final tuning before their gig starts.

The bands played to a large crowd attracted by the loud music. The atmosphere is electrifying!

What I can say? Youth these days are very different and really original indeed, not only they were able to play tunes that are made famous by bands like Maroon Five, Jason Mraz, Green Day. They were equally good in composing and playing their own music with their original lyrics to boot!

can imagine in time to come, how good they can be. Truly, the sky’s the limit.

The crowd obviously enjoying the performance!

To sum it all up, it was indeed a very successful event as the cafe manage to attract a large crowd and announce its presence in the community center in a loud way so to speak. What’s next? More frequent performances to come? Well, we got to keep the business going!

She’s enjoying her drink at the jumping bean cafe. And so should you! So, come by the cafe, get a drink and chill. More pictures can be found here.

Prawning or Fishing for Prawns

Well, to get ourselves out of our present frame..we decided to go prawning or rather fishing for prawns whichever case it maybe. After 1 hour plus, results are dismaying! We caught none  and we  have at least let 5 or 6 slipped away… Technique, technique they say… and of course timing is important.

Anyhow, we are sure to go back again..the next time hopefully we can land something and have them bbqed at the pit provided. Woo, that would be so yummy!

Where the sun rises….

Thanks to my dear Ginger….We both got invited to see the style magazine feature artists, Grace Phan and her documentary film “Where the Sun Rises”. She spoke rather beautiful english and we really appreciate the candid way that she does sharing of her experience shooting the film about forgiveness and reconciliation, how she came up with the idea of doing the film, her personal encounter with East Timor’s Presidente, Xanana Gusmao. Some thing, interesting that amongst the other good stuff that she shared, is that one man can make a difference.. and the 3rd way…to let go of hatred and forgive is the only way to move forward. I can’t say much but I am over awe by the sheer beauty of the East Timor, the mountains and the seas….spectacular! I am going to watch this film for sure when it screens at the picture house…

I do hope that one day theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict

will be able to end…forgiveness is the way to go.. As I would like to say, an eye for an eye..and all the world goes blind….a vicious cycle…

WHERE THE SUN RISES 希望的黎明

synopsisXanana Gusmao, the President of East Timor, takes us on a breathtaking and intimate journey. Revelations from the 24-year Resistance against Indonesian occupation, to the present-day challenges of the world’s youngest nation. The struggle against foreign occupation has ended, but the fight to build a new nation from ashes, and against poverty, incompetence, corruption and hatred is just beginning. This is a story about the courageous journey from war and sacrifice to forgiveness and reconciliation – a powerful and universal theme which transcends all geographical, cultural and ethnic boundaries. It is humanity’s struggle.

FILM AWARDS

• Movies That Matter Award – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 2006
• Gold Award Cinematography – Australian Cinematographers Society
• Special Jury Mention – AFI Dallas International Film Festival 2007
• Audience Award (Top 3 Documentaries) – Sydney Film Festival 2006

director

Grace Phan

cast

Xanana Gusmao

genre

Documentary

runtime

81 minutes

rating

TBA

Runway cycling with my da da…

Collected my moutain bike! Hurray!

3rd June…cycling at the paya lebar runway. It’s nice! I like

Why You kick my dog?

Last evening..something happened…the guy who tried to kick my dear tiger apologize for his misdeed. lol

I reckon he must seen my super duper TULAN look in my face that morning coming out of the lift…I mean why on earth you have to kick my dog? He din fuckin’ bite you …he din pee on you…. although I wish he did..

Anyhow, guess what I told him in return…”It’s okay ..but really you should be a better example to your kids….haha..that look on his face, priceless. I mean this is way better than just accepting the apology…Guess what, he said…sorry lar…Was watching soccer last nite and trying to show my kids… KNNCCB, ok? I don’t fuckin’ care if you had a mass orgy with David Beckham and the whole real madrid squad…or what….just leave my dog alone!!!!

He wants his MP3 player back…

Well, the call came..Can you please bring my mp3 player to XXXX.. !@#$@$%^%&&*!!! damm cheapskate I tell you! Been hearing so much about this legendary MP3 player….he said he bought and can’t wait for me to load music into it…Wahaha…I know I know….50gB of music is really quite something but still you gotta be polite!

So much for the anticipation of the huge MP3 player…damm it is only a pathetic 128mb of memory…after loading my hell freezes over album…nothing left! kNnccB…

Most of the times I can’t stand Cheapo, cheepskate…

Thaipusam 2007

1st Feb, my medical appointment at SGH, Doctor Tan would surely give me an mc that’s for sure…after having seen him for the past two years almost..Today is also the day of Thaipusam

I was there last year covering the event at Tank Road, the end of the walk from the temple at Serangoon Road. The atmosphere is indeed infectious! The colors, the endurance shown by the khavadi walkers…, the focus and the ambiance of the place really makes one want to go back each year to soak in the event..So, here am I in 2007, fulfilling that promise to go back to this festival to cover the event!

After waking up at 5.30am, preparing all my gears, one camera, 2 lens….and my trusty 400AW..had breakfast, walk my dog, Tiger, read a little and then set off at 7.20am…reached there at 7.50am almost..I reckon I had about 1 hour to shoot, so had little choice but to go to the temple at Tank Road…cos the medical appointment is 0900hrs…but never had I seen the doctor at the appointed time…Oh well, that’s a story for another day!

Back to the festival, it never cease to amaze me why these khavadi walkers never bleed when they get all sorts of piercing on their bodies…and the boundless energy they show by dancing, jumping, when they are near the end of their journey..I bet they must have been really tired but their faith kept them strong…

So, here are some of the pictures that I took …..well the rest of it is here

A Khavadi Walker near the endpoint, Tank Road

Body Piercing..Ouch it looks painful

Cheering the Khavadi Walkers on

In a trance…with the loud cheering party with this man.

Strings and Serenade- Corrinne May Live in Concert 2006

Was at her concert once more…only this time I am armed with my trusty camera…Managed to snap this pic as well as a couple of other pics….. The concert is really much better than the one in August 2005. A few of my friends also shared my sentiments….Her vocals seems to be better….

Of course, we were very lucky indeed as Corrinne played 3 new songs namely, Shelter( I suspect a Godly message within, “Let God be your shelter, thru wind and rain, he will not fail you.” ) Seeds….A song that quickly reminds me of Eunice..Thanks for the Mustard seeds once again and that unforgettable rendition of ‘Same Side Of The Moon’ many moons ago! Leaving…The chorus is nice…if only I can heard it a couple of time more….

The sequence of the songs performed as retrieved from my old brain:

Open with:
“Mr. Beasley”
I think this is her favourite song. Mr Beasley is supposed to represent the love of her life.

She then introduced the band, naming each and every member, including the students.

She talked about performing at the “Make A Wish Foundation” with a 14-year-old patient. (The Foundation supports terminally ill children.) When asked what his wish was, he said he wanted the latest cellphone! In my mind, I though he would wanted to perform next to Corrinne, do a duet with Corrinne or something to that nature…but a handphone?
“Angel In Disguise”

Her next song was inspired by the cartoon, “Powerpuff Girls”. She also mentioned that in Florida, a school teacher uses her songs to teach music to his elementary school children and that is available on her website. “Little Superhero Girl”
She thanked the audience for attending on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, or “chap goh meh”. Someone in the audience said that it was “worth it!”

She asked if anyone still followed the tradition of throwing oranges into rivers and ponds “or Macritchie Reservoir” to find a suitor. Another person asked if she did. She laughed and said no. How cute!
Then she said that the moon was supposed to be the brightest on this night. It was her corny intro to her next song. “Same Side of The Moon”

She then sang a new song for all of the Eyores (Winnie the Pooh reference) of the world, i.e. those who are lonely and down-in-the-dumps. “Shelter”

She mentioned how she always felt sad when flying from Singapore back to Los Angeles, where her home is now. “Fly Away”

I love you too much to make you stay..Baby, fly away….Simply sweet!

The next two songs were done with her playing the guitar.

Her next song had been covered by her friend, local singer Tanya Chua, who was also in the audience. “Something About You”

And then another song on the guitar…mmmmh…Why can’t I recall the name of that song? Anyone can help me? Back to the Piano it was.
She talked about how, in Warner Brothers cartoons, there would be a little angel and little devil sitting on the character’s shoulders, making him choose which side to follow. In the end, it was always about choosing the correct path. We all ave that, don’t we? The good side and the dark side…if Teck was reading this, he probably tell ya, right Lord Vase…haha
This led to her next song, another new one.
“Leaving”
She fumbled during this song because she started on the wrong note — literally. Halfway into the first verse, she stopped and said that it was too low. She conversed with her husband about it. “It’s in F? Really?” Press piano keys. “Oh yeah!”

Audience laughs and claps.

Safe in a crazy world…Corrinne starts recounting how she got inspired to pen the song “Safe In A Crazy World” She once had a bad shopping experience and returned home very angry at the sales person. Her husband comforted her with a hug, and that’s how she got inspired.

Driving in Los Angeles can be crazy, what with drivers speeding and cutting in. She suspected that it was the same situation in Singapore. The title of her next song was her advice to all drivers. “Let It Go”

Although IÂ felt that let it go..has alot to with letting grudges go…Oh well, that’s just me
Next, She asked if anyone had gone for the “Singapore Idol” auditions. She didn’t go to the venue, but thought that she could’ve walked down the line, singing her next song.
“Everything In Its Time”

The song about patience….listening to this song always bring back fond memories on my lack of patience pursuing things. And not being able to stay the course till completion..Oh well, which life doesn’t have any regrets?

Her next song was for an uncle, who was celebrating his birthday that night. And she also dedicated to anyone else who was celebrating his/her birthday.
“The Birthday Song”

Sombre Rendition it was. I want my next birthday song to be sung with Corrinne’s version!

The night was coming to an end. She thanked the organisers, which made her feel like she was giving a speech at the Grammy Awards.
“Save Me”

And then she thanked the audience.
“If I Kissed You”

She left the stage, but of course, she wasn’t done yet. To howls of “encore!”, she peeked from behind the curtains, then stepped back into the light and to the piano. She sang two more songs and how apt of her to finish off with a new song ‘Beautiful Seed’…she just sow some seeds in us to get her new album..which I definitely will get a copy…

Here is how she introduce the song ‘Beautiful Seed’:

She talked about being marvelled by how small things can lead to something big and powerful, like a tiny seed into a gigantic tree.
And that was it. Two hours of beautiful music! Needless to say, the audience was extremely thankful and appreciative.
Interestingly, about midway through the concert, she did a tune check with her band, i.e. pressed a piano key and everyone checked their instruments. Like an orchestra warm-up.

Before one song, she also thanked her parents, parents-in-law and brother-in-law (her in-laws are from Seremban) for attending.

After that, she had an autograph session. The queue was long and I decided to do what I think I do best instead of joining in the endless queue…That’s to take Corrinne’s photos…took about 10 shots…very happy with them indeed. Even managed to get her pose one for me!
Personal favourites: Everything in its time, Angel in Disguise, Stay on the Road, Journey & Fly Away

CANSLIM- My 1st investment book purchased.

CANSLIM
What does it Mean?
A method for selecting stocks created by Investor’s Business Daily co-founder William O’Neil. Each letter in the acronym stands for a key factor to look for in a company.

Investopedia Says…
The seven-part criteria is as follows:

C – Current quarterly earnings per share has increased sharply from the same quarters’ earnings reported in the prior year. (Beware of items in financial statements that can cause earnings distortions.)

A – Annual earnings increases over the last 5 years.

N – New products, management, and other new events. In addition, the company’s stock has reached new highs.

S – Small supply and large demand for a stock creates excess demand, and an environment in which stock prices can soar. Companies acquiring their own stock reduces market supply and can indicate their expectation of future profitability. Look for low debt-equity ratios.

L – Choose leaders over laggard stocks within the same industry. Use the relative strength index as a guide.

I – Pick stocks who have institutional sponsorship by a few institutions with recent above average performance. Be cautious of stocks that are over owned by institutions.

M – Determining market direction by reviewing market averages daily.

Also referred to as C-A-N-S-L-I-M, or CAN SLIM.

My personal take from the above, it looks like the CAN SLIM method focuses on Fundamental analysis of a company. It does make good sense. I am itching to buy a couple of lots of SPH Stocks…anyone got any recommendation or any insights to share?