yeah....Things will only get better

Yes, it's hard to believe that such a massive scale of power failure. This is Singapore.

In August 2002, a gas-supply disruption from Indonesia was also blamed for a 90-minute blackout after seven of Singapore's nine gas-fired generating plants shut down.

This only shows Singapore's vulnerability.

well-known speaker started off his seminar by
holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he
asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of
you but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"

And he dropped it on the ground and started to
grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked
it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

Here lies a very valuable lesson; No matter what
I do to the money, you still want it because it
did not decrease in value. It is still worth
$20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped,
crumpled, and ground into the dirt
by the decisions we make and the circumstances
that come our way. We feel as though we are
worthless. But no matter what has happened or
what will happen, you will never lose your
value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely
creased, you are still priceless to those who DO
LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in
what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.
You are special- Don't EVER forget it." Count
your blessings, not your problems.

Does the world ever learn from history?

We see wars after wars. Regardless of what the reasons may be, war is always cruel and brutal and should always be the last option. Politicians never fail to amaze me when they make such a quote and the very next day, you see tanks roll into.

"We hold up the example of France-German reconciliation, to show the world that hatred has no future, that a path to peace is always possible."

Chirac said this.

But well, we are talking about the possibility of peace after war.To forgive and to forget. Well, it's easier to forgive but it's almost impossible to forget.

This is indeed a good sign that world leaders are willing to forgive their bitter enemies. However, why create such a situation ? It's inevitable to have conflicts. But why enagae in war? This is one lesson that men will never learn.

Sometimes I wonder why is there such a huge hoo ha over 21st birthdays. I never had any party of any elaborate celebration. Just plain glad that I can leave the army that year. Well, my 21st was spent alone, as usual. My parents were working and I don't expect them to do anything. Oh well, Dad will give give me an angpow. That will be my allowance I guess. Fancy getting your allowance on your birthday. What if I don't have any birthdays? I guess I will have to wait till he remembers. When he does, it will be a cheque of $200 -$500 bucks, for a period bewteen 2-5 months? Not too sure how he passed his maths in school. I can't complain though. I'm old enough to earn my own money. So whatever he gives me is a bonus.

I still remember my first pay when I worked just before serving the nation. Pay day conincide with Dad's birthday. I bought a bottle of wine, hoping to have a drink with him, yeah to celebrate his birthday. Oh well, he come home that night pretty late. I had to sleep early because I had work the next day. The bottle of wine was left in the fridge. The next few days was the same, he had to work late and I had to sleep early, hence no chance to meet him. The bottle of wine remained in the fridge for the next week or so.

Of course I had the chance to drink with him a week later. It was a great feeling. However somehow the feeling is not the same as it would be should we had that bottle during his birthday, the actual day rather than a "make-up" one. Of course, work committments and blah bla blah... prevented the family from celebrating together. Call me a green horn with little work experience, sometimes I feel that excuses of not being able to spend time with family is really rubbish. Proper planning and of course priorotising is gonna do the trick. Of course there's always last minute this and that that prevents , however , if everything's properly planned and prioritised, I guess such last minute stuff can be avioded. I for one will not barge if there's any last minute inclusion of work unless absoultely necessary. I will try means to postpone or avoid them. Of course unless one deems that such time is unnessary.

I need my personal time too.

I don't need any celebration of my birthday, just some time with my loved ones. Jay and company are nice enough, they did try to ask me out, but I guess I'm just not in the mood. The ones I desire are not around.

I look around the room. I have my tv, my lapy, radio, fridge and so on. I have dad and mom, I have my brother, I have my gf. But somehow, all of them are not around me. I don't need any presents, or food, just hope to be be accompanied by them. Perhaps by organising a huge party or lavish dinner, you invite many people and yeah, you are in their company? So that's what people want for their birthdays?

Dad's forever working and I have given up on him. The only time you don't see him working, I guess it's during Chinese New Year. The first 2 days, that is. I guess I have to be like him after working for him, not too sure when would that be though, but I know it will be very soon .

It's so unfortunate that my birthday happens to fall on Vesak Day this year. The Buddha's brithday is defintely more important than her son's birthday I'm sure. Even if it's not Vesak Day , she would either be working or be with her friends.

My brother? Not too sure where is he.

My gf? She just messaged me. She's back in mainland having some BBQ. Hoped to spend the whole day with her initially because I knew my family is like that. Somehow, she just informed me a few days ago that she has to do some stuff that was last minute assigned. If I'm her position I would have turned it down. But well, she has prioritised it ahead of me. I have no choice but to take a back seat and play second fiddle. I just have to accept it, most reluctantly. I will be meeting her later I guess.

While I believe quality time is more important than quantity time, however have we lured ourselevs into a situation whereby deceiving ourseleves that as along as we can give quality time, everything is ok. While we strive to move ahead in life, advance our career opportunities, hence taking up a huge amount of our time, however why can't we just reexamine our schedule and ponder. Can we increase the efficiency and free up more time? I bet we can. Just look around at the work place. How often do you see people relaxing long hours in the canteen?

I'm sure we can free up more quality as well as quantity time. Stop deceiving yourseleves that you are forever busy 365 days a year and for God's sake, please don't believe that packing your schedule would make you appear to be more capable or you will defintely earn more money. Quality time is also required at the work place. Staying OT doesn't mean anything. And please don't include and take on unessary additional work. If you have time to spare, spend it with you love ones.

I'm sure both the quantity and quality and be improved. They are not mutually exclusive?

DOn't agree? I'm always ready to defend my stand.