Happened to see an article from The Straits Times’ Digital Life dated 14 November 2006. Thought maybe I should share it with everyone.

Below are the tips on writing a blog, extracted from the article “Blogs that shine”

Tip #1: Keep it clear. Big words, bad news. Write short, write sweet, write right.

Tip #2: Keep it credible. If readers know you have lived what you write, they will connect with your blog.

Tip #3: Keep it clean. Resist the urge to turn your blog into a fireworks display. Or even make it too pink (ops.. :P)

Tip #4: Get it right. No point grousing about a bad burger if you can’t even get the price right.

Tip #5: Keep it original. There’s only Mr Brown. And that’s because Mr Brown sees life in his own unique, loopy way. Find your own voice. Don’t copy. It’s already been done.

Tip #6: Find a good hook. The best-love books, articles and pop songs have a theme, a loop, something that sticks with the audience (read: Kylie Minogue’s “Na-na-na, na-nana-na” refrain from Can’t Get You Out Of My Head). Try get your blog just as addictive.

Tip #7: Entertain. Whatever you do, don’t bore your reader.

*Courteousy from Serene Goh, editor of IN and Little Red Dot; sereneg@sph.com.sg



I'm bored at office. Let me write another entry today.

I've been with this company for 2 years and 2 months. I had really enjoyed my time here. And I really mean it. If possible, I wouldn't mind working here forever and ever. I love it here, the environment, the people.. I've said this to a lot of people before.

But recently, I can't seem to motivate myself anymore. In the past, even if there were nothing to do, but to sit there and rot, I would be able to find some things to do, be it filing of documents, refiling them, or helping other colleagues on my section. Now, there is really nothing to do. There is nothing for me to even dig out to do. I just sit in front of my computer, and stare blankly at it. I can't read a book, write letter, or do any other things, as my office has a very open concept. I can't go online, as I do not have access to the internet. There's really nothing I could do besides sitting down. I once told one of my colleagues this: "我从早上到现在，只做了一件事，那就是：坐下来。。" (From morning till now, I had done only one thing, that is to sit down)

A month ago, I could still go over to one of my colleagues' place, talk to her, grab some titbits to munch, and talk about crazy things. Since the new girl joined our company, I couldn't make myself do the same anymore. I couldn't talk too much of my thought to her anymore. I've built another wall of defence against her. But I'm not happy about it. She taught me not to share so much things about myself to the new girl. I listened. I learned. And instead, I stopped sharing to her and the other girls altogether. I couldn't bring myself to behave like how I had behaved before. I was a crazy one in front of the rest then. I seldom talk in office now.

I really feel that it's a stupid, to allow the new girl to break our friendship just like that, but I just couldn't bring myself to doing it anymore. I love her, the same for the other girls. I know that by befriending the new girl will hurt her and the rest, but I couldn't bring myself to treat the new girl the way they treat her. Although I know that they do not understand that I see every human being as an unenlightened buddha, I still do feel hurt that things weren't the same anymore.. I know that it's not them. It's me who built this wall of defence, and I am suffocating behind this wall. How do I break them away? I've learnt to be a builder, now, someone teach me how to be a breaker, or a destroyer..

It seems like I could get friends quite quickly, but I couldn't really keep friends. I'm talking about non-gakkai friends. I have had quite a number of very close friends from primary school till now, but when we graduate into different schools and different jobs, I can't seem to get in touch with them often. Or should I say I didn't stay in touch with them instead?

I see how my sister, Ailing, Ester, Anny, Jing Hui, and more TP school friends being so close even till now, but I can't see mine. I don't know the parents of my TP friends, some of them I don't know where they stay, they don't know much about me either, as in they don't know me that well. How could I expect them to know me that well, when I don't even know myself that well in the first place?

All these drives me crazy, and it hurts too.. but then, please remember your this pointer: Not to do anything that hurt my loved ones, even if it means hurting myself.

To myself: Understand yourself first. Try to understand your needs and desires. Only then can others can understand you.. And then understand others..



Tomorrow is the day. I'll know if I'm lucky enough to win the Sony Ericson Z610i.
Entered a quiz contest by the Straits Times Urban section, and had sent an email to participate in this contest. If I'm chosen, I'll get a Sony Ericson Z610i. Then, if the colour is but pink, I can choose to give it to my dad, who keep asking for a bluetooth phone, so that he can go hands free when he drive, and upgrade my contract to a pink Z610i.. if it is pink, I will keep it of course, and upgrade my line and get a bluetooth phone for my dad.

Of course, I may not be able to win the phone, as the chances are slim. (I saw Waisum's name on the Urban section as one of the editors, hopefully she cando something when she sees my name.. hee..) If not getting the phone is the case, then I'll upgrade mine to Z610i pink then, when there is stock, as at my last check, pink is out-of-stock.. but with my plan (Singtel Classic), I need to pay $200.. cos my current phone won't worth $200 for trade-in.. haiZz.. the most expensive phone I ever paid for, was with $100, my Samsung A310 (or is it A320? forgot) 4 years ago..

I was also thinking of getting Panasonic VS2 instead. Cos i like the colour. Pink! Haha.. A phone that looks cute and feminine.. but people have been giving me negative feedback about Panasonic phones.. HaiZ.. this phone is going at $0.. And this IS THE PHONE that I was looking for.. but pink is currently out-of-stock too..
Actually, I'm in a dilemma of whether to upgrade my phone, and which one is the best choice, so that I won't regret, or rather cannot regret cos it was my choice. I've got people telling me that Sony Ericson, Samsung, Nokia are some brands to consider. I've also got a friend who highly recommend Nokia to me, as she has no problems using it till now, while she encountered numerous faults with Sony Ericson and Samsung, discouraging me to buy them.. but I have had my experience of having a Nokia phone auto shutting down.. And friends who sent their Nokia phones to the service centres, immediately after their purchase, for so many times that Nokia changed another phone for them. I nearly had mine changed too..

Then my sister recommend Sony Ericson, and most of my colleagues are Sony Ericson hardcore fans. But my aunt told me that one of her colleague need to spend 5 full minutes to ON her Sony Ericson phone everytime.. I was like "duh! So no need to buy le lo.."

I'm not choosing Samsung this time, cos most of it are in black colour now. Yes, the colour is sleek and nice, but I'm not looking for such a powerful looking phone.. I prefer less solid colours..

From what I gather, the phones nowadays do not last. They are no longer as stable as they used to be, as companies are now waging in hot battles against each other in the release of new phones with more new functions. And they face out as fast as they are introduced too, if not faster. There is no one brand that is more superior than others in an all-rounded manner. They are all as good, and as bad, as each other. The only differences are whether you are "heng" (lucky) or you are "suay" (unlucky) in getting a phone, and to see when your phone gives problems, not whether it gives you problems.

My current phone is already 2 years and 5 mths old.. it's only a basic phone, but at least with polyphonic ringtones.. it's not that old till only having only mono ringtones.. it's still working and considered "healthy", with one of the keys being more stubborn only. Had not taken it for service at all till now. So I "heng" lo.



Just saw the TV programme 《爱要怎么说》. Really touched by the girl's bravery. Her name is Rachel. Michelle even cried when Rachel told the guy, whom she had been secretly admiring for 5 years long, that she love him.. Although the ending was not a perfect "I love you too" situation, and hopefully they'll be able to remain as great friends, I really hope that the ending would be otherwise.. I cried for her too.. and for myself...

My parents having been telling me about getting a boyfriend since the begining of the year. I do feel stressed at times, and get upset by the fact that i do not have one yet, and my sister's is already introduced to them. My mum keep telling me how most of my cousins, who are all older than me, the younger ones have had boyfriends years before the older ones found their husbands.

Oh well, I know, but it's been a dream since I was 12, to get married to someone whom I love, and loves me deeply too, and my target then was by the age of 24.. it's only a year from now, and I had not even had my first boyfriend..

As years goes by, expectations changes.. But it seemed like I didn't change. I still can't break my wall of defence. There isn't anyone who could break through it yet. There isn't anyone who I feel comfortable baring my hearts and soul to, to let him see the real me.. Maybe there is, but it's longer there anymore..

A round of applause for Rachel, for her bravery!!



Ops, I nearly forgot to do something which I am supposed to do.. I realised it only at 5pm.. Wao.. So late.. luckily, I called up the place to ask if it's available before making my way there.. HaiZ.. Sick until forgot everything..

Sorry, can't say what it is now.. After tomorrow then can I reveal.. :P

Anyway, bought it.. Hee.. if not, I'll be bashed up tomorrow.. :P



Ok, I'm sick.. I mean, I'm not that "sick", but sick as in ill.. didn't see the doctor though, but am still feeling googy.. the feeling of recovering, but not very much recovered..

Started having sore throat on Friday evening, after my dinner.. Thought it'll go away by gulping down lots of honey.. but then it still persisted till yesterday..

Yesterday was worse.. I felt feverish while I was at Vivien's place.. HaiZz.. At that point of time, I thought, "Ops, later I'm meeting Rachel, and will be having our Soka Women Glorious Victory Meeting. I'm the emcee, and there are more things for me to do.. I can't afford to be sick!!"

It's really mystical, that during the meeting, I felt my sore throat gone, and perhaps because I need to be at my highest life condition for the meeting, I didn't remember that I was sick. Haha.. At least the meeting was not spoilt because of me being ill..

But after the meeting, when I reached home, I was like dead log.. I felt my fever back, and went straight to sleep till this morning..

Am still feeling that my health is not at it's normal state, cos my mouth feels funny, my ears are blocked, my head feels a little heavy, my joints are a little numb..

And the sky looks as bad as yesterday.. I had planned to go for morning gongyo this morning, then shopping at bugis, then marina square, and to watch Hanz's competition for Chingay at Takashimaya, but am not sure if I could make it to that performance later or not..

Oh no! if it's going to rain, will it affect Hanz's competition?!? Sorry Hanz, if I can't turn up for your performance.. I very much want to watch you "live".. it's been 2 years since we last met up.. hope you are doing well..

Of course, to all my old friends, young friends, long time friends, new friends, I miss you all.. I'm not someone who puts feelings into words, but I want to say that I love every single one of you, and misses all of you.. Hope that all of you are doing much better than me.. :)

And thanks, Huimin, for your encouragement despite your busy schedule there. That's what I needed.

Do I sound depressed? As though I'm not getting any better and thus want to tell everyone how much I love you all? Nope, It's not because of this.. I had always wanted to say this to everyone personally, but the words just got stuck in my mouth, and it always couldn't come out..

But, I do think that I sound depressed..

the angel

# finance officer
# violinist
# clarinetist
# singer
# dancer
# bodhisattva of the earth

loves

# singing
# dancing
# music
# chocolate
# pink

wishes

# always be happy
# bring happiness to people
# to sing
# further education in communications

readings

# the alchemist
# the white russian
# falling leaves
# tuesdays with morrie
# the five people you meet in heaven
# for one more day
# the kite runner
# the little prince
# totto chan: the little girl at the window
# da vinci code
# digital fortress

fellow angels

*f.a.m.i.l.y*
:: mei.zi

*s.o.k.a*
:: alvin.khoo
:: huimin.loi
:: shuhui.tan

*t.p.s.d*
:: fabian.ng
:: jeraldine.tan
:: zhirhong.foo

*f.d*
:: boonhao.lim
:: future.division
:: jasmine.chew
:: joey.tay
:: yingqi.chen
:: yunting.chen

*s.n.c.o*
:: candy.chye
:: chelsea.ng
:: desmond.chew
:: guangyi.chua
:: jasmine.chye
:: kailing.shim
:: noven.chan
:: vanessa.lim
:: weili.liang

*f.r.i.e.n.d*
:: andre.hanz.lee

*s.t.o.r.e.s*
:: hampigal
:: pretty.pink.pink
:: the.sister.company
:: vogue.chamber

seeks

:: daisaku ikeda library
:: daisaku ikeda quotes
:: sgi
:: sgi experiences
:: ssa
:: ssa youths

past

:: February 2006
:: March 2006
:: April 2006
:: May 2006
:: June 2006
:: August 2006
:: September 2006
:: October 2006
:: November 2006
:: December 2006
:: January 2007
:: April 2007
:: May 2007
:: June 2007
:: July 2007
:: August 2007
:: September 2007
:: October 2007
:: November 2007