Milestone: a license

My life just reached another milestone. I just gained the ability to drive; legally as on 11th July 2008

I mean, its about time. heh. Finally got my driving license, after 4 attempts.

No doubt, I admit that I am slow in learning, and I take a longer time to learn, but nevertheless, I still made it. Thank God for everything. Thank you mom for sponsoring me to learn driving. Thank All those who prayed for me, especially, Sharon, Uncle Patrick, Uncle KeenMun, Auntie SooMei, Gregory, MeeLin, Auntie Florence, Cousin Daniel, and many more.

Although i hinted a-lot, but my parents showed no enthusiasm in buying me a car anytime soon. ha ha.

After passing the test, my ex-classmate + good friend, Tan Tien Siang brought me to Botak Jones @ Amk to have lunch. I ate Fish and Chips while he ate the Cajun Chicken. We ordered an extra cheese fries. It was delicious. Maybe its because, I passed, or maybe its because, I didn't paid a single cent, cos lunch was on him. =)

Cousins Gathering

Saturday with my cousin & distant cousin; Daniel n KongSeng right after my driving revision at 8.30am.

Feeling hungry, I suggested to have lunch at Hans or somewhere nice and posh, but Kongseng say, eat something less than 5 dollars. But seriously, where to find such a cheap deal in Orchard Road.

We went to Fareast Plaza to scout around, then KongSeng told us, about this Javanese Indonesia Restaurant; Ayam Bakar Ojolal which was at lucky plaza, then we headed there.

They have this pink soda drink which was actually Rose Syrup with soda water. Its cool and refreshing. Very unique.

The Food is quite good. very value for money. Btw, the Malay word 'Ayam Bakar' means 'Grilled Chicken' in English while 'Ojolali' is a Javanese word which means 'Don't Forget'. In combination 'Ayam Bakar Ojolali' means 'Unforgettable Grilled Chicken' in English.

We had the Ayam Bakar Ojolali (Grilled Chicken rice) only @ S$5.50 and Satay @ $6.00. The Satays were very succulent and tender. The Chili was Awsome.

The Pink Soda drink. Daniel says i look like L from Death Note. haha.

My Cousin Daniel

My distant Cousin, KongSeng.

Ayam Bakar Ojolali [Halal Certified]
Lucky Plaza
304 Orchard Road
#03-39 & #03-43 Singapore 238863
(65) 6235 3597
Ayam Bakar Ojolali

What does the Singapore Spirit mean to you?

They just called me this afternoon!!! *who?*

NDP Organizing Committee Personnel!!! Short form: NDP OCP



Phone Rings *ring ring*
Me: Ohaiyo, Moshi, Moshi?
NDP OCP: *wonders who is this Japanese fellow?* Hi, I am calling on behalf of the National Day Parade Organizing Committee, can I speak owner of NRIC of S8****55B?
Me: Hai! Its me. Can I help you?
NDP OCP: Oh, can you please tell me your NRIC number again?
Me: huh? but u just told me my number. *ponders*
NDP OCP: Ya, but I need to verify your NRIC.
ME: oh, *recites* S 8 * * * * 55 BRAVO
NDP OCP: Congratulations Sir, You won 6 tickets to this year's NDP.
Me: ok. Thanks.
NDP OCP: Collection would be from 13th June till 22nd June. Our opening hours starts from 9am till 9pm.
Me: ok, where to collect?
NDP OCP: Our Collection center is at Marina Bay, Multipurpose Facility Function Room 2.
Me: wait arh, I write down, M-a-r-i-n-a B-a-y, M-u-l-t-i-p-u-r-p-o-s-e . . . .
NDP OCP: Yeah, it’s on the floating platform on level 1.
Me: ok. I am done.
NDP OC: you need to bring your IC for us to verify. And there will not be any parking spaces available, so please park elsewhere.
Me: Hmm. ok, but which is the nearest MRT arh?
NDP OC: That would be City Hall Mrt.
Me: ok. Thanks you.
NDP OC: Ok, that’s all. Have a nice day.

Cool right? Its the 1st time I won tickets since the e-balloting of national day tickets started. But anyway, I am going to give some of the tickets to my auntie and her family. It was her who told me to try my luck and see if I can get the tickets. The last time I watched a live NDP is 2003 and I want to relive the live NDP feeling.

My record of watching Live NDPs are the following years, 1998 (preview), 1999(preview + live), 2001(live), 2002(live) and 2003(live) In all my past live NDP experiences my favorite part of NDPs are neither the dancing nor the fanciful costumes but it’s the Marching In and Marching Pass!

I assure you, watching NDP live is different from watching it on the television as the feeling is really different. Let me relate some of my experiences watching live NDP. While the Marches played by the SAF band fills the "stadium". The Smartness of the contingents and the regimental togetherness makes me feel awed each time I watch the marching in and during the march pass.

I love the part when the parade commander asks, "Mr President Sir, May I ask for your permission to inspect the parade, Sir." then the President nods, then the parade commander does the "hormat" to the president with his sword, by kissing the sword.

Who says people are united only in times of disasters? Singaporeans are united both physically and in spirit, especially so, when the president goes around the "stadium" on the little buggy, Singaporeans will then stand and wave the Singapore Flags at the president, followed by doing the Kallang wave which is unique only to Singapore.

And the even more heartwarming moment would be when the whole "stadium" stands up together to Sing the National Anthem followed by reciting of the Pledge. I don't know why but usually at this moment, I would be moved to tears or feeling all the goose pimples all over me because, of the Singapore Spirit. The oneness of our people, people of different race, religion and background, together making a stand, to set aside their differences and to pledge themselves to be Singaporean. This is truly a moment of wonderment despite our cultural differences.

As the NDP comes to the ending part, Songs like with lyrics like, "Five Stars Rising, out of a stormy sea", "Count on me Singapore", "Stand up for Singapore" and “We are Singapore" rings through-out the stadium, with everyone, brothers, sisters, family and friends and even strangers join together in the choruses. Once again, the nostalgic feelings comes to pass, and the Singapore Spirit makes everyone, thus truly, One people, One nation, One Singapore while watching the beautiful display of fireworks.

stay-tuned for more blog updates as i collect the tickets next week.

*Banner and Photos coutesy of www.ndp.org.sg*

WaKaRu. Nice

Arranged to meet at City Hall Mrt Control Station at 7.30pm. JingTing turned up 1st, followed by aaron and subsequently JunRong. Then we waited for boonhua until can die. At 7.30pm, He rang me up to say, he arrived. I told him to wait at the Control Station for me without asking which station he was in; to pick him up as we were at rafless City shopping center.

When i arrived at the MRT station, I think i gave him more than 20 miss calls, and he still didn't pick up the bloddy damn phone. Then I thought i gave him bad instructions and thought he waited at Raffles Place Mrt instead of City Hall, hence I took a traini 1 stop down to Raffles Place to see if he is there. To my dismay, he wasn't. Then had to ask Junrong and the others to help look out for him in City Hall Station. When Boonhua finally picked up my call, He was at City Hall station's other exit. I had to take a train back from Raffles Place to City Hall.

Anyway, We walked from City Hall Mrt to Clark Quay Mrt. Initally wanted to go settlers to play board game and have dinner there. But after the long walk, we finally reach there after many nonsense from Junrong and JingTing who insisted to go settlers, but the settlers cafe was already full house when we found the place. No choice, I quickly suggested to go to centro which is across the road.

Then we had our dinner at 8.30Pm at wakaru.




Dinner was fabulous. But abit pricey.

After Dinner; BoonHua went home while the rest of us went to eski-bar to chill @ boat quay. Freaking Cold there. I then treated them to a drink. JingTing had "Chocolate Matini", Aaron Had "RustyNail", JunRong had an "E-Avalache", while I had a "sex on the beach". Its Fun to meet up with friends. Although I am broke now, but lets meet again soon?