Is Statistics a really difficult subject, or is my lecturer just plain lousy?
It seems like this is the first time that I am having real difficulties understanding the lecturer's explanation.
I find him extremely disorganized!
30 June 2009
Statistics
28 June 2009
Work and Study = TOUGH!
Took up a Part-time Marketing degree last year around September, and never looked back ever since.
Sometimes I ask myself, what have I gotten myself into, because I find it really tough juggling between work and studies. The hectic course schedule does not make things any better as well.
This semester I am concurrently taking 3 modules, and my lessons are packed at 3-4 times per week.
1.5 years more, and I will be done with this course.
I just have to keep telling myself "I CAN DO IT"!
Some random photos during my preparation for my exams 3 weeks back.
Notes...... When I write, I tend to remember the concepts better.
10.51pm, and I was still mugging for the exam the next day.
Well, they say Essence of Chicken helps improve memory, so just drink lor.
Results for my last 2 exams will be out 10 July, pray for me!
26 June 2009
King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead
I am stil in SHOCK!
LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.
Jackson was pronounced dead after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, Los Angeles coroner Fred Corral said. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.
Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media including the Los Angeles Times and the TMZ entertainment website, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.
Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.
His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."
Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.
Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."
"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
PARAMEDICS UNABLE TO REVIVE SINGER
TMZ said on its website that Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. "We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back," the site said.
The Los Angeles Times said paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the singer's home before taking him to the UCLA Medical Center hospital.
Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months.
The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.
There were concerns about Jackson?s health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.
Outside the hospital in Los Angeles about 200 fans and reporters gathered on Thursday, waiting for confirmation of Jackson?s death or condition.
Some fans were crying and hugging each other, and others were climbing atop fences to get a better look at a microphone stand where a news conference was supposed to take place.
"I hope he's gone to God, and I hope that he's free of all the troubles he's been plagued with," Tonya Blazer, 50, who said she had been a fan going back more than four decades to his days as a child star.
"I just feel like I'm paying tribute to him," said Dawn Burgess, 42, a fan who said she had posters of Michael pinned to her bedroom wall when she was a child.
CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR
Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.
Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.
The next year, he unveiled his signature ?moonwalk? dance move while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.
In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.
Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
New Yorkers and tourists in the city's Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson's death.
"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."
"I'm shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird," said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island.
Jackson was pronounced dead after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, Los Angeles coroner Fred Corral said. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.
Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media including the Los Angeles Times and the TMZ entertainment website, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.
Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.
His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."
Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.
Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."
"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
PARAMEDICS UNABLE TO REVIVE SINGER
TMZ said on its website that Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. "We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back," the site said.
The Los Angeles Times said paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the singer's home before taking him to the UCLA Medical Center hospital.
Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months.
The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.
There were concerns about Jackson?s health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.
Outside the hospital in Los Angeles about 200 fans and reporters gathered on Thursday, waiting for confirmation of Jackson?s death or condition.
Some fans were crying and hugging each other, and others were climbing atop fences to get a better look at a microphone stand where a news conference was supposed to take place.
"I hope he's gone to God, and I hope that he's free of all the troubles he's been plagued with," Tonya Blazer, 50, who said she had been a fan going back more than four decades to his days as a child star.
"I just feel like I'm paying tribute to him," said Dawn Burgess, 42, a fan who said she had posters of Michael pinned to her bedroom wall when she was a child.
CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR
Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.
Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.
The next year, he unveiled his signature ?moonwalk? dance move while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.
In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.
Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
New Yorkers and tourists in the city's Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson's death.
"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."
"I'm shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird," said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island.
(News from Asiaone)
24 June 2009
Study Room of Punggol Community Club
During my Financial and Managerial Accounting Exams, I called up Punggol CC to enquire if I could make use of the Study Room (using my PAssion Card) to do my revision.
Fortunately, the lady told me I could. But unfortunately, at the same time, that was the last time I could use it because they would be renovating the entire Community Club, and afterwhich, they would be charging fees for the CC Membership again.
Using the Study room brought back a lot of memories for me, because throughout my secondary school days, this was the place I did my self studies, especially during my O Levels days.
Some random photos during my exam preparation:
Goodbye old Punggol Community Club. Hope the new Community Centre / Club would be nicer, bigger, better, and have more activities!
Looking forward!
22 June 2009
Scandalous 4
**Updates 23 June:
In Wanbao today!
BEFORE THE NEWS WAS PUBLISHED:
A not-so-pretty B-minus-C-List actress, comedienne, host, shopping diva, was SEEN and HEARD creating a scene in a gay party yesterday 21 June 2009.
It was heard that this slim celebrity accused a tall, handsome, 30-something, established GAY yuppy of molesting her on her private part just outside the premises of the gay club. It was apparent this dude accidentally tripped and fell and unknowingly "touched" her, and promptly apologized for his SINFUL doing. Sinful not because he touched her, but sinful because his hands were dirtied touching this comedienne, famous for uglifying herself (don't need much effort though) in Jack Neo's Variety Programs in the late 90s.
After the dude apologized to her, she insisted it was deliberate, and the bouncers had to step in to try to calm her down.
Now it is pretty (ugly) obvious who this celebrity is, because she is also famous for hanging around in gay bars, every weekend.
I used to be very neutral about her, but I guess after this incident, she would probably go into my "hatelist" now, together with a certain "Growing Up" C-list actor who also made headlines yesterday (21 June 2009) in Lianhe Wanbao, claiming to be a philantrophist, when he is just a philanderer!
ARGH, 2 disgusting C-list celebrity news yesterday!
Scandalous
Scandalous 2
Scandalous 3
Chewing Gum
Been chewing on this everyday since I got back from KL, my supply is finally coming to an end. Sad.
Extra Xylitol is the closest I could get with similar taste to Chiclets, which is my number one choice for chewing gum.
I think they do not sell this anymore since I cannot find it anywhere when I travel.
I think some of you might also be like me, who grew up chewing on this!
19 June 2009
Goh Tong Pak
Met up with an ex-schoolmate for coffee and found out that my ex principle, Mr Goh Tong Pak, is the current CEO of Breaktalk! When I reached home, I immediately did a Google search, and its true! OMG!
Mr Goh has been appointed the CEO of Breadtalk since Jan 2008. Some of you may not know who he is, but I admire Mr Goh, because he was the one who turned my Secondary School from a neighbourhood school, to what it is today, autonomous and top 20.
The school I am talking about is Xinmin Secondary School.
I remember when I graduated from Xinmin Secondary School, Mr Goh was also promoted to take charge of 10 schools in the MOE HQ. And not to mention, before he joined Breaktalk, Mr Goh was already Deputy Director for the MOE School Appraisal Branch.
I don't know why, but I feel so proud of Mr Goh, somehow I feel like his hard work has really paid off!
---------------
ACTUAL NEWS:
FOOD company BreadTalk has roped in an education veteran for its senior management team.
Mr Goh Tong Pak, the deputy director for the Ministry of Education's (MOE's) school appraisal branch, will be made group chief executive officer (CEO) with effect from Jan 1.
The newly created post will require him to oversee BreadTalk's entire operations, including those in China and Singapore.
'He will also strategise on systems and talent development within the group,' the company said in a statement yesterday.
The group is best known for its six-year-old chain of bakery outlets in Singapore, which started the craze over pork floss buns in 2001.
It now has more than 150 bakery outlets in Singapore, China and other countries. It also runs the popular Din Tai Fung restaurant chain and eateries at St James Powerhouse.
Mr Goh, 61, has more than 30 years of professional and educational management experience. He headed Xinmin Secondary from 1992 to 1997 and was known for turning the underachieving neighbourhood school into one of the top institutions in Singapore. (I was in Xinmin 1994 to 1997) As deputy director of the MOE's school appraisal branch, he was responsible for monitoring, evaluating and improving more than 300 schools in Singapore.
He also lectures part-time for the master's degree course in educational administration at the National Institute of Education.
Mr Goh holds an honours degree in arts from the former Nanyang University and a post-graduate diploma in education from the National Institute of Education.
He told The Straits Times yesterday that BreadTalk chairman George Quek - an old boy of Xinmin - approached him about two years ago to join the company.
The two men got to know each other when Mr Goh gave a talk to a study group formed by various bosses of some small and medium-sized enterprises. He said he had been due to retire from the ministry in about a year but decided to do so earlier as a replacement for his post has been found.
He will use his experience in administering the schools monitoring system to enhance BreadTalk's quality control procedures.
'I was approached by another one or two companies. But I joined BreadTalk since I knew George and I was interested in this. This is my second career,' added Mr Goh.
Mr Quek told The Straits Times that Mr Goh's strength lay in his ability to develop talent and hoped he would be able to rally BreadTalk's around 2,000 employees to meet the company's objectives.
Having someone from outside the food industry will also bring a fresh perspective to the firm. 'I need someone to think outside the box,' he said.
Mr Quek added that having Mr Goh in BreadTalk will free him to focus on aspects like brand development and sourcing for new markets.
(Article from Asiaone)
18 June 2009
Sky Fitness
I have always assumed Sky Fitness is the most prestigious and best gym in Singapore.
I was WRONG!
Jeff and I went for their one-week free trial membership, and we swore not to ever visit them again.
The voucher guaranteed us a wellness evaluation, a spa session, a personal training session, among many others, claiming that this one-week membership is worth $488 for 2 person, but its all bullshit!
On the first day of the one-week-trial, we were served by this black american guy by the name of Nathaniel. He is a big guy, in size and ego!
Throughout his discussion with us, I could sense his nonchalence, as well as the "I-don't-give-a-shit-about-you-asian-young-punks" attitude. I pretended I didn't sensed it since I wanted to see how GREAT Sky Fitness really was.
The first session sucked big time because we only did the threadmill, partly because we were rushing for time, partly because nothing was arranged anyway.
Jeff and I then returned 5 days later, on a Sunday, with a prior appointment with Nathaniel, and he even confirmed on the phone, with both of us separately, that we will be able to enjoy EVERYTHING that was stated on the "voucher", and he told us to set aside 4 hours for him.
Jeff and I reached Sky Fitness, full of anticipation.
When we reached, Nathaniel told us that the personal trainers were playing paint ball in Orchid Country Club and would be late, thus he asked us to just make use of the gym facilities first.
We were ok with it since we just reached and wanted to warm up with some jogging.
After Jeff and I were done with the threadmill and a couple of weights, we approached Nathaniel because we wanted to find out about the other components of the visit that day. He told us the personal trainers were not coming anymore, and our personal wellness and training session had been cancelled! #$%^&$%^! How atrocious!
We were already quite pissed, so we told Nathaniel that we wanted to go for our spa session before we called it a day, since there was nothing else for us to do, as most of the activities involved the personal trainers. Nathaniel then told us the spa session was not booked! WTF!
This means that the 4 hours that Jeff and I had set aside for the fucked-up Sky Fitness was a total waste of our time, and we were really taken for a ride.
And the worst part is that Nathaniel was not apologetic at all throughout that entire incident, not even to mentioned he had that stupid arrogant smirk on his face! And he even argued that the personal trainers not coming was not his fault, and he didn't book the spa session because he didn't know we wanted it. Haha, not funny, try harder!
I mean if he was apologetic, I think we would not have been so angry, and it was really the first time I saw Jeff's temper, that was how bad the situation was.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nathaniel, if you are really so good, you would not be coming all the way from the states to Singapore and work as a salesman!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS: I have nothing against salespeople, because I am in sales too, but why that arrogance when he doesn't even own the place?!?!
In conclusion, Sky Fitness is not the best, neither is it the most exclusive gym in Singapore, because Sky Fitness's service sucks!
15 June 2009
Cleaner's safety?
The cleaners in Singapore really have no welfare. Got a shock today when I saw an Indian cleaner standing on the ledge of the HDB block opposite my block!
Guess what he was doing?
He was sweeping the ledge!
Goodness, I was wondering was he doing it because he loves his job (voluntarily)?
Or was he forced to sweep the ledge by the Town Council? (no choice)
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A closer look.
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No safety harness or something?
.JPG)
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I thought the government always warn employers not to ask the domestic helpers (a.k.a. maids) to clean dangerous places like the windows, so as to prevent accidents?
Then can someone please explain this?
13 June 2009
I love durians!
Dad brought durians home, kept some for me in a tupperware, and left them to chill in the refrigerator!
Simply love it!
Durians taken chilled is simply shiok!!!
I finished 10 seeds in like 5 mins?
LOL.
I haven't had durians for a long time man, at least a few years?
Minus those durian cakes, durian rolls, etc lah, what I mean is pure durian.
I usually like to eat those orangy yellow ones because those are sweeter than bitter, but although the ones dad brought home are more towards bitter, it was still delicious!
See, it looks tempting, doesn't it?
I want more!
I want more!
08 June 2009
Mugging
I am mugging for one more paper now, and I am feeling so stressed!
This module is so dry, and so theoretical!
I am going crazy!
06 June 2009
Paul's (Closed Door) BLING Party at The Ascott Raffles
Champagne... free flow of champagne all night!
I didn't eat any of this, because we went for dinner at Lau Pa Sat before going for his party.
He turned the whole suite into a club, complete with great music and disco ball and lighting.
Beautiful friends...
These are Paul's present, but our present to him was the most expensive one. A Coach Hampton's Tote Bag from its latest collection flew in from Hong Kong!
Shida and Vanessa
Everyone were forced to down a shot of vodka before entering the party!
Louis and Wilson
Shida and Sophie
Shida, Mitch and Sophie
Shida and Paul, the birthday "boy"
Paul and Edmund
Strawberries and champagne, the perfect combination.
Sean, Jared and Randall
The self-declared "Smoking Area"
Tipsy already...
FUN!
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