Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Dinner and dance @ Raffles Plaza
















































Sunday, November 26, 2006

Lab. park
















Went for a walk in quiet solitude. Events of the last few weeks wearied my heart and soul. Hence, I needed some time away from everything. And to allow the sea breeze to blow away the emotional baggage in my heart....
Wonders the symphony of crashing waves and blowing sea winds can do to uplift one's mood =)

Saturday, November 25, 2006

INFJ revisit!

ok ok...re-did the Jung Metric test again...and I got INFJ again...

Description from "http://typelogic.com/infj.html", credits goes to the site authors.

Introverted iNtuiting Feeling Judging
by Marina Margaret Heiss


INFJs are distinguished by both their complexity of character and the unusual range and depth of their talents. Strongly humanitarian in outlook, INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers. This rare combination of vision and practicality often results in INFJs taking a disproportionate amount of responsibility in the various causes to which so many of them seem to be drawn.

INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people -- a product of the Feeling function they most readily show to the world. On the contrary, INFJs are true introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious "soul mates." While instinctively courting the personal and organizational demands continually made upon them by others, at intervals INFJs will suddenly withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates. This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent "givers." As a pattern of behavior, it is perhaps the most confusing aspect of the enigmatic INFJ character to outsiders, and hence the most often misunderstood -- particularly by those who have little experience with this rare type.

Due in part to the unique perspective produced by this alternation between detachment and involvement in the lives of the people around them, INFJs may well have the clearest insights of all the types into the motivations of others, for good and for evil. The most important contributing factor to this uncanny gift, however, are the empathic abilities often found in Fs, which seem to be especially heightened in the INFJ type (possibly by the dominance of the introverted N function).

This empathy can serve as a classic example of the two-edged nature of certain INFJ talents, as it can be strong enough to cause discomfort or pain in negative or stressful situations. More explicit inner conflicts are also not uncommon in INFJs; it is possible to speculate that the causes for some of these may lie in the specific combinations of preferences which define this complex type. For instance, there can sometimes be a "tug-of-war" between NF vision and idealism and the J practicality that urges compromise for the sake of achieving the highest priority goals. And the I and J combination, while perhaps enhancing self-awareness, may make it difficult for INFJs to articulate their deepest and most convoluted feelings.

Usually self-expression comes more easily to INFJs on paper, as they tend to have strong writing skills. Since in addition they often possess a strong personal charisma, INFJs are generally well-suited to the "inspirational" professions such as teaching (especially in higher education) and religious leadership. Psychology and counseling are other obvious choices, but overall, INFJs can be exceptionally difficult to pigeonhole by their career paths. Perhaps the best example of this occurs in the technical fields. Many INFJs perceive themselves at a disadvantage when dealing with the mystique and formality of "hard logic", and in academic terms this may cause a tendency to gravitate towards the liberal arts rather than the sciences. However, the significant minority of INFJs who do pursue studies and careers in the latter areas tend to be as successful as their T counterparts, as it is *iNtuition* -- the dominant function for the INFJ type -- which governs the ability to understand abstract theory and implement it creatively.

In their own way, INFJs are just as much "systems builders" as are INTJs; the difference lies in that most INFJ "systems" are founded on human beings and human values, rather than information and technology. Their systems may for these reasons be conceptually "blurrier" than analogous NT ones, harder to measure in strict numerical terms, and easier to take for granted -- yet it is these same underlying reasons which make the resulting contributions to society so vital and profound.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Godiva Raspberry Chocolate













If I were to sum up the kind of life I had all these years, it would be similar to a bar of Godiva Raspberry Chocolate.


It looks nice on the outside.... smooth, dark and ever so seemingly, a sweet and delicious riot of cocoa intoxication...


But.


When you really do bite into the bar of Godiva raspberry chocolate, you will soon realise that beneath that layer of chocolate lies a layer of raspberry. A mixture of sourness greets you as you sink your teeth into the raspberry core of the chocolate. That is the true essence of the Godiva Raspberry chocolate. The sourness.


And that is, deliciously, how my life over the years was.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

I'll let the pictures do the talking for once....
















Ba Ba Black Sheep.
















Read if possible.




















65 Chulia Street, OCBC





Taiwan Goodies. AHP.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

7% GST

No no no, before you peeps thinks that i'm at it again ranting about my disatisfaction about the government, i'm not. What i want to achieve in this post is simple. After reading the CNA report, there are some confusing facts that I think is worthwhile highlighting (in bold)

GST to be raised to 7%: PM LeeBy Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 13 November 2006 1832 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Goods and Services Tax will be increased to 7 percent from 5 percent presently. This was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Parliament on Monday. However, when the rise will be implemented, will be decided later. Speaking in Malay, Mandarin and English, Mr Lee explained that the hike was necessary to finance the enhanced social safety nets, needed to help the lower income group and he emphasised that the offset package would more than counter the rise in GST. While Singapore's current model to tackle the widening income gap is sound, Mr Lee said the government would take on two approaches to deal with the new environment - to strengthen the safety nets and tilt the balance in favour of the lower-income groups who do not benefit from the fruits of economic growth. To do this, government spending will have to go up. The government now spends some 15 percent of its GDP - one of the lowest in the world. "This is inevitable over the next 5 to 10 years. Infrastructure investments will cost money - R&D is to cost $5b over the next 5 years; as medical technology improves, people age and more will go to hospitals to get more treatment, so spending is bound to go up. As we tilt the playing field across the board, the lower income will be getting another boost, not just once in a while. Therefore its better to start building resources now so that when we spend more, we have the means to do so," said Mr Lee. To finance this, indirect taxes or the Goods & Services Tax will have to go up. "It will give us precious extra resources to implement social programmes like Workfare later on. Our aim is to help the lower income groups and the elderly, not to increase their burdens. When we implement the GST increase, it's not just the GST increase, it's the package which will fully offset the impact of the GST increase and begin to strengthen the social safety nets and tilt the balance in favour of the low income groups - we will not just raise the GST but we will have a comprehensive offset package," said Mr Lee. This package will be weighted more to the middle and the low income groups, especially the elderly, and it will more than offset the GST increase. "It is not just an offset package to deal with the GST. It is a whole set of measures which we are taking in order to tilt the playing field in favour of the lower income group, which is what we have to add and tally in the balance, and my purpose is to help the lower income group. For the middle income, it will be generally about ok; for the higher income, I think the higher income should end up paying more overall. It's part of being one society. I'm not going to tax 15% on income tax, I'm not going to tax 25% from GST the way the Scandanavians do, but I have to make the adjustments of 2% which I think is fair and I think Singaporeans will support," added Mr Lee. He explained that it is better to do the increase now when the economy is doing well, rather than wait till later. This will give the government time to see how this adjustment can be managed, and to cope better with the unknown forces of globalisation over the next 5 to 7 years. More details of the GST increase will be announced on 15 February 2007, which is Budget Day. Mr Lee added that Second Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam would deliver the Budget speech. Another change will be the amending of the Constitution to allow the government to tap the capital gains received from investing the national reserves. - CNA /dt

===============================================
Question to ponder 1

"It will give us precious extra resources to implement social programmes like Workfare later on. Our aim is to help the lower income groups and the elderly, not to increase their burdens"

From my limited knowledge of economics, GST is a form of indirect taxes and indirect taxes are regressive. They do not help the lower income groups but serve to widen the income gap. This is because GST is like a widely cast fish net. The rich and poor alike will have to buy a packet of rice. If 2 persons needs 100 dollars worth of food to stay alive in a month, an increase in GST will meant that they would have to pay $107 dollars. if the rich earns $10,000 and the poor earns $800, a $7 dollar increase will mean an increased expenditure on food for the rich from 1% to 1.07% of monthly income. However, the poor will experienced an increased in expenditure on food from 12.5% to 13.4% of their monthly income. The rich pays 0.07% more but the poor pays nearly 1% (0.9) more. 1% vs 0.07% ! The poor pays 14 times more than the rich to stay fed. So, on this bombshell, how does a regressive tax scheme like the GST really help the poor?

Question to ponder 2

"we will not just raise the GST but we will have a comprehensive offset package," said Mr Lee. This package will be weighted more to the middle and the low income groups, especially the elderly, and it will more than offset the GST increase. "It is not just an offset package to deal with the GST. It is a whole set of measures which we are taking in order to tilt the playing field in favour of the lower income group, which is what we have to add and tally in the balance, and my purpose is to help the lower income group. For the middle income, it will be generally about ok; for the higher income, I think the higher income should end up paying more overall."

What is this "comprehensive offset package"? does it include tax bracketing? It sounds like a scheme similar to tax bracketing considering that the PM state that the higher income should end up paying more. But, like my first question, GST is a widely cast net, so how is this "rich pay more, poor pay less" works? Let's hope it's really something concrete and not another Progress Package" which is utterly useless.

Question to ponder 3:
"He explained that it is better to do the increase now when the economy is doing well, rather than wait till later. "

The last GST increase was 4 years ago, from 3% to 5%, during the 2002 recession. And if i remember correctly, that GST hike was deemed necessary to counter the bad economic times. But moving forward to 2006, if you look at the above statement quoted from our PM, he is now singing a different tune. He says now, that since the economy is doing well, it is deemed necessary to increase the tax rather then wait until the economy is bad. So... that means bad economic times we need to raise GST. Good economic times we also need to raise GST. I dunno about you but this logic of reasoning sounds more like a convenient excuse to raise GST then anything else.

City by the Bay
















Pretty.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Soup Ba Chor Mee! (no Twee Gua)




















Thanks to princess for introducing the nice soup ba chor mee! And Jo, it's really really great seeing you again...it's been really a while. Glad that the three of us can convene again after...i can't remember when was the last time we met, it really was that long time ago.....















"FEED ME!" hhahahhaha........ I can almost imagine the lamb asking pud. to dump bugs free grass into the container.... heh heh....















Didn't know Jo like lambs...she have like 6 lambs soft toy lo..... gawd....

Jo, thanks for the great fun we had today. It really had been a while since we sat and talked and laughed. And also, thanks for giving me that lamb. And the bottle of "Kahlua". Will let you know how it taste like....

Of cos, I won't forget the promise of a tiramisu! hahahaha

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Eventful Day




















An unexpected break I had today. And because of this, I returned to NUS to visit some friends of mine. And along with it, I uncovered an interesting truth.

While waiting for my friends to get their food, I was sitting alone at the table and soaking in the view of the canteen. Suddenly, i realised that this lunch time crowd is different from the usual city lunch time crowd. I felt more at ease, more relax and at peace with myself here.

And then it hit me.

For 5 months have I been working in an environment that is fast paced, bustling with life and energy that somehow, I yearned for the return of a more laid back and tranquil environment. And it was right there and then, that I realised this.

Oasis I want.

And because it rained, I had a little tea break of tea and muffin in YIH canteen, listening to the splattering of the rain and the soft whirring of the celing fans.

Blissful.

Absoultely.






























As I was suppose to pick up my mum from her office in Tuas, I didn't wanted to go home and decided on exploring Jurong a little. And that was when I ended up at Jurong park. A run down park with nothing except middle aged uncles trying to catch fishes, some birdwatchers with bino and telephoto lens trying to observe migratory birds. By merely walking along the beaten down path along the lake, I felt unperturbed (though there was a few sms incoming that needed my attention) and very much relaxed. Not something i'll feel often on a Thursday afternoon.

And it hit me again.

I miss my carefree days. I really do.

So much so that I feel a little wave of sadness just thinking about it.

I am an Apple Tree...?

Apple Tree
The Love Of slight build, lots of charm, appeal and attraction, pleasant aura,flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination
--------------------------------------------
eh, i'm not flirtatious nor do I live for today... the rest, I am no comments.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
















Introduction
Mitsubishi once manufactured engines for their infamous Zero fighters, thoses that were used during WWII, especially during their unprecidented attack on Pearl Harbour. So you must be thinking, "Ah! they manufacture machines that can be nimble and fly fast" and so, similarly, you must be further thinking that their cars must be the equivent of zero fighters of the land.

But sadly, over the years, something must have gone wrong. Their cars were never the "zero fighters" of the land. In fact, they never came close into having a car that have as much status as the "zero fighter" Ok, i'm slightly lying. They did. The GT3000 in the 90s, the Evolution series and even their Lancer MRs were all very good and exciting cars but their main stream products, Mitusbishi Motor's bread and butter, were utterly lacking in character and about as exciting as riding a tricycle . The smaller and less muscular little brother of the Lancer Evolution is one such product.

Same Actor. New Clothes.
If life was a show, the cs03 lancer is just the same actor, with a change of clothes. Essentially, as you may or may not know, sometime during the late 90s, MM has a JV with Damier Chrysler and the cs03 lancer is a joint colloboration with them. But here's the thing, the redesign of the lancer is only limited to the exterior. The heart of the lancer, it's 4G16 16V SOHC inline-4 1586cc engine is essentially the same as the old CS2. Even the interior fascia remains unchanged. Of course, the redesign is easy on the eye, looks sportier (especially the sports version) and is quite an attractive looking car.

Sporty look doesn't mean Sports car.
Standing still, it oozes confidence and speed. But once the red light turns green, you soon realise that looking sporty doesn't mean it's a sports car. It doesn't even run, it crawls from stand still. And here's the reason why. The 4G16 unit is old. period. It was designed during the Jurassic era by cavemen holding stone clubs, constructed with materials such as stones, flints and dinosaurs' skin,as techonologically advanced as a stone axe and spins as fast as flintstone's legs.

It IS the only flaw of this car, but it is enough to disappoint. Yes yes, you may say the air con is powerful, it's problem free, it's decently quiet(at times) but so? The heart of a car is the crux. If the heart is bad, the car is bad. Can you marry a handsome/beautiful partner if they are bad in character?

On paper, it's 0-100 timing for the manual is 11.8 seconds which is decent enough but you can never feel the urge from the engine. Choose the CVT and the century sprint will take , well, a century. I'm pretty sure Mitsubishi's engineers knew that they have a weak engine, which is why they tune the engine for the torque to peak at a low 2750rpm, to compensate for the lack of power.

Personally, i rather they drop in the 1.5L Mivec engine from the colt.


Verdict














On the upside, it's selling pretty cheap now (45-50k) for a Jap-made sedan, looks good, handles corners well, is resonably quiet (you will change your mind once the Aspec DB wears out, but that is another story), has loads of rear leg room and a big boot. On the downside, the engine is asmatic,noisy above 3k rpm. The interior looks like it came from the era where art means doodles on the walls of caves by ancient cavemen clad in leopard skins.










There is a phrase, "good things are worth the wait" so, if you want a lancer, wait for the 2008 Lancer. It will sport a whole new design (will you just look at that!) with a new 1.8l engine joinly developed with..Peugeot or Damier-chrysler I think.

Now that is what I call a modern car even Darth vader would approve of.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Postcard from Afar.....

ho ho.... princess gave us castle folks post cards and I got one too *beams with pride*





















Princess wrote that England is like my hometown... lambs, cows and buses everywhere ( I didn't know buses co-exists with animals but ah well.....) . She also say she is sorry for her messy handwriting (me thinks she was probably tired from all the exploration) and that she hopes pud have been feeding me well....

In fact, what she didn't know was that pudding have been feeding me too well...instead of bugs free grass, I gotten more chocos and tim tams to eat.... yum yum

Also, I would like to lodge a formal comprain to princess, for after all the effort in typing her a birthday sms at 7.45am in the morning (11.45pm London time, but I think she was in Paris, which means i'm late by one hour cos i thot she was still in London) with a groggy mind (i actually fell asleep 1/2 way while typing that sms), she actually replied me by saying she had nice lamp chops for dinner.... how outrageous!