Maastricht, Singapore and me

2005-07-06T20:41:00.000+08:00

K, it has been almost a month since i last blogged and this only means it is time for me to write some entries.

Well, i finally landed a job at MAS. Good pay and a very reputable organisation. Think i shld be satisfied considering most pple are still struggling to find one. And no, i won play punk again. Got a torrid time after rejecting GIC and the hedge fund offer. I m basically done with interviews

so, i have about 2 weeks of hols and i m gg round asking my frens wat they will do if they have these them nw. Most said they will just slack at home, which is exactly wat i am doing nw. but i' m getting bored liao.

oh, happy that michael came to visit me last week. Within one day, i brought him to chinatown, little india, orchard, bugis and suntec. amazing rite. I am definitely the tour guide to bring pple around singapore. We had enjoyable moments. really miss those days at maastricht when we party all nite.

My current craze is to learn sign language and play tennis. Wow, u noe wat, roger federer is same age as me but yet he is alr a 3 times wimbledon champ. his movements on court is so angelic, with masterful strokes and all. He defn belongs to one of the great.

back to singapore

2005-06-15T08:31:00.000+08:00

just gt back from a five day trip in malaysia. feeling totally re-charged to run the next leg of life. Still having a lot of problems finding the job i like.. haiz... totally depressing. and i don think i wan to talk about it.

k, period

Chronicles of Life

2005-05-28T21:24:00.000+08:00

Just came back after attending the ROM of Lili and her husband. Lili was my JC fren and she is now married.. aarrghhh.. pressure starting to build up arh... and I gt no GF.. wat is happening to me man? Haiz..

Hmmm.. has been almost 2 weeks since i last blog. So wat has happened since then? Here goes
20 May (fri) - went to the BP selection tests. One whole day of interviews and we played a trading game. Competition was as usual tough with BP flying graduates from Peking Uni and Tsinghua.. Wat chance do I have again? So tiring... but anyway, thus far, only aaron gt selected. and i most prolly will be rejected again.

21 May (sat) think i went over to kang ming house to learn piano. he taught me Lover's concerto and till date, i m still trying to master it. abt 50% there.

22 may - went to church and continue to study for my CFA...

23 May- CFA

24 May - Learn driving

25 May - Learn driving

26 May - went for my video shoot for convocation. I mess up my lines so badly till the director had to do several takes for the interview

27 May - gt back my results and guess wat.. i gt my first class honours.. totally unexpected.. i thought i screwed up this sems.. and i really did.. got quite bad results and yet by some miracle i still manage to achieve the honours. Really got to thank God.

It has been a long time

2005-05-08T09:27:00.000+08:00

Yes yes, I know.. received many complaints.. How time flies? Haa.. My last blog entry was in Nov.. haa.. almost 7 months since i blog.. Guess i m just nt that faithful enough.

For the sake of overseas friends and genuinely true frens who is interested in hw I have been, i shall try to blog at least once a month. Hope i can keep my promise.. hehe..

Ok, so here it goes.. shall try to sum up the last 7 months of MIA.
Starting from internship at JP Morgan, where i had a fairly ok time. I didnt perform as well as I shld have been. Made some careless mistake which really entirely my fault, no one else to blame except ME. but luckily, my managers, esp Tow Peng, was veri accomodating and kind to look past my mistakes. I seriously thought he is one of the nicest manager around. Many of my colleagues also echo that sentiment. I seriously wish him every success in his career.

Next, oh, I won the SGX-NTU Financial Games championship for 3 years in a row. Clap Clap.. haa.. As a result of this achievement, we were featured in a Business Times (one of Singapore 's top business newspaper). and the article is no small one lor.. half-page with photo some more.. wat an honour man! Once I fugure it out, I shall try to put the article on line. So as a result of that, gt many congratulatory messages, blah blah.. Can feel the school was really proud of us. Well, they should be.. It is not everyday the dull NBS get some favourable news report.

School was as usual quite boring.. Got to make some new friends, Yunting, Aaron and Kang ming Became quite close to kang ming. haa.. 2 alpha romeo guys.. only natural we became quite close.. haaa... he was my project mate from portfolio management class and happen to stay quite near me. Hmm.. then, gt to noe yongjia and fonz (2 very talented KPMG scholars) from the P&G roundtable discussion. P&G asked us to chaired a 'live' debate with their directors on global leadership. Prestigious as it may sound, it quickly turn out to be a recruitment pitch for them. It did nt become a debate but some means for them to showcase the global leadership of P&G. Nonetheless, I got to really interact with their directors, even shared a VIP seat with professors and their CEO in the dinner after that. A lil bit proud of that. and so subsequently of course, I applied for a job there. Wah cow, this time, I was really confident of getting the job there. from 100 over applicants to the final round of interview of just 4 candidates. Since i already on favourable terms with their directors and answered all the questions pretty well in the interview, I was so damm sure they will offer me a contract. But no, they didnt, they offered to this china girl... Come on lor!!! Another china person stealing my job... Aaaarghhhh!!!

Eh, I thought was talking abt school, why did i ended talking abt jobs? maybe becoz school is boring so nothing to talk about.. hehe.. ok la, gt to know some year 1 gals, Cristina, Huiling, Xiuzi wahahaa.. Uncle preying on mei mei??? heee.... no la, i took accounting 2 module and so happened to be in a year one class lor. heh. erm, who else did i noe? oh, i went for some HR outing.. haaa... my frens from the HR specialization organise some rock climbing outing and Dan Wen invited me.. haa.. saw some chio bus.. but... haaa... i forgot their names liao.. didnt follow up.. whahahaaa.... Den, i picked up tennis... I was sooo inspired by Roger Federer.. He is simply awesome. Played in school with jason and a fren called ... (i forgot the name liao.... whahaha.. so terrible) haaa.. i wanted to do some sport every weekend one.. but became too busy in the end to do them....

Oh, Andrew( my german fren) visited me ard mid March.. he chose a damm good time lor.. that week he came was my fyp deadline. but still, being the NICE friend that I am, i accompanied him on some occasions. Even introduce some chio bus to him lor.. haa.. We went to sentosa, attended a jazz concert. and had some dinners. Actually, i wasn't that good a host... but was too busy to be one.. sorry andrew if u are reading this.. next time when u come to singapore, i will make it up to u man but only if u come at the right time.. haa

Wow, this is getting longer than i thought it will take me. Didnt noe my life was actually quite interesting.. haa.. wat else did i do? why suddenly i can't think of anything... mb, becoz i m really boring.. haaa... oh, i m learning salsa with yongjia.. haa.. yeah baby! can u believe 2 left feet person like me can actually dance.... haa.. and i think i m doing quite well so far.. haa.. this is the first time i am given the liberty to hold so many gals' hands and put mine round their waist.. haa.. no la, this is not the reason why i m joining salsa dance.. there are other reasons la.. for u to figure it out... haaa

K la, shall end it here... talk more abt myself next time.. hopefull, won be ano year.. haa

2004-11-07T09:17:00.000+08:00

Wow, it has been almost a month since i blog.. too hectic schedule...

Anyway, the dreaded exams finally finished yday.... nontheless cant help but feeling time is passing soooo fast... half a year ago, i was having one of the best time of my life in maastricht and just a few weeks ago, i was whining and complaining about studying for exams.. this time round, had all the exams sandwiched in one week(normally it is spread over 3 weeks)... despite all that, i wasnt feeling as stressed before.. but there was still the pressure to perform... sometimes, it gets to me.. success can be a vicious cycle.. u have to keep working hard to maintain the high standard of success u achieved previously. I really hated studying for exams (yeah, i noe this statement is duhzz) everybody feels this way.. but i just want to vent my frustrations here... haa..

Went to town with huifang and Roy for shopping immediately after exams.. Want to shop some shirts and buy a pair of shoes for my attachment. Yeah, cant believe it.. i m only left with one more day of holiday... my attachment starting from tomorrow will be all the way till school reopen... haiz...

k, i have some reflections(food for thoughts) here... exam time is when i realli start thinking .. and question the many fundamentals of
1) One need not be smart to achieve success. George Bush aint smart, u can see it from his speech and debates but yet he has just won elections again. He also wasnt a top sudent in school.. Conclusion - u don need good grades or great intellegence to succed in life. To quote from MYSELF.. haa.. "NOT ALL PRESIDENTS ARE ROCKET SCIENTIST" (note the many undermeanings)
2) Your life is like a company.. how u manange your life is like how u manage a company... your personal finances are like accounts and financial statements. People perceptions of you is how they see this company of yours. Your public persona is like the goodwill and reputation of a company. Physical terms wise, just like a company that needs to constantly streamline its operations to make it more lean and efficient, a fat person also has to exercise often to get rid of those excesses.. yeah, ELWYN INC is a CORPORATION that will be the fortune 500 companies one of these days.... ohno, i m starting to dream again... of cse, only had 5 hrs of sleep last nite... cant believe that i sleep even less than during exams time.. haa..

oops.. getting late.. has to rush off for church.. don wan to be late again....

I m the blurest guy around

2004-10-06T22:37:00.000+08:00

let me just share with u all the blur things that i did over the past few weeks. You will be amazed..

1) Left my Dean's List letter in the lib and it has been there for 2 months. I was dg my FYP (honours project) during the June holiday, and somehow, i left it in one of the bookshelfs. The thing is that i didnt realise that i left it there. I thought i just lost it in the house, believing one day it will reappear by itself. Then, 2 days ago, my fren inform me that he saw my letter in the the lib. I was simply shocked that the letter was still there(2 whole mths) and that luckily, a fren actually spotted it for me.
2) I went to my attachment organisation on wed only to realise that i came one week too early. The appointment shlould have been next wed.
3) Last week, i have had this damm unlucky and blur incident. I boarded the train to school and after a couple of stops, i realise that i left my thumdrive at home. Now, this thumdrive is impt to me that day as it contains my assignments that needed to be hand up later. So, as i was late, i try to flag down a cab outside my house, but couldn't get one. In the end, i decide to walk to the Mrt. Took me about 10 minutes. But, as i came to the MRT, there was a long q, and so i have to call a cab. Very clever rite, Call a cab only after i wait 10 minutes and walk some distance. There is more to come. Later, as the cab brought me to my school, i immediately rushed up to print my assignment, BUT my thumdrive is nowwhere to be found. I had left it the taxi. I was like come on, this cant be.. I went thro so much trouble to bring my thumbdrive to school, only to lose it. Luckily, later, the call centre could still remember me and the taxi later re-route(with passengers inside) and return me the thumdrive.
4)I left my identity card in the bank
5) lost my organiser(notebook) in the bus
6) during one of my presentations, i cited wrongly the names of my groupmates

Sometimes, i dunno whether to laugh or scold myself.
well, think this is just me, accept it, elwyn

Suggestions to reMAKE, reUSE, reDO, reINVENT and reENERGIZE myself

2004-10-02T17:52:00.000+08:00

All ideas are welcomed to change me.. Think i have been slipping into the monotony of life and school work... help me change that.

Bush is a Blank

2004-10-02T17:43:00.000+08:00

did u guys see the first television presidential debate.
Came back last nite from Jesz bday party and manage to catch it on CNA.

John Kerry look so much more convincing. He brings his points across with conviction and purpose. But look at Bush, he lacks style, slow in his thoughts and lost in his own world. He must be thinking that as he is still holding onto leads, the onus is on Kerry to seize the initiative and make a difference. All he has to do is to play it safe and not make major errors. This is exactly wat is being played out. Kerry probably emphasiez the word 'difference between them so many times' that it might have been thought both are from diff planets. Verdict: A for Kerry and B for Bush in terms of style and delivery

Content wise. Kerry drives home a lot of real truth abt the inept and many colossial mistake made by Bush adminstration.. eh, gtg.. write more next time

Sudan, a sad deja vu replay of Rwanda as the world watches on gain :(

2004-09-18T13:27:00.000+08:00

yet again, genocide is happening again, this time in Darfur. And again, UN and the rest of the world ditters as horrific mass murder, rape and destruction carry on.
If Bush is so morally upright as he potrays himself to be, in liberating the iraqis from saddam hussein, then heshould involved himself in stopping the genocide. I am simply disgusted, blood boiling.

hypocrisy abounds

Back to me again

2004-09-18T11:42:00.000+08:00

It has been such a long time since i really do an update abt myself...
Was just simply too bz...

Hmm.. let me just read off the things that have been happening the last one month.
1) I gt an internship in JP Morgan Chase. so will be working there in nov and dec. My work schedule till next year will be totally packed, no more vacations. My exams for this semester end on sat, 6 nov and will start work on the following mon, 8 nov. Just one dat of rest. OMG. den i will work all the way till 9 jan. By that time, school will have started again and i will miss one week of school. Totally no break at all. Follow by, i will be schooling till i graduate ard may. den on top of my work with JP morgan this nov and dec, i have to do my FYP( honours project) . Well, wat can i say? i got my fair share of fun the last one year, so is time for me to work hard.
2) I re-promoting myself as 'Jiawei', instead of being just a 'More Useful Person'(my prev personal branding)... haa.. I have been telling all my frens the past couple of week to call me Jiawei. For those of u who dunno, that is really my real chinese name, in my IC. This Jiawei name was quite popular the last few weeks coz of the Olympics. This Singaporean Olympiad came close to winning a medal there, and ending a 40 year for Singaporeans. It will have meant so much for us. However, she didnt, losing in the semi-finals and the bronze medal match. She was so popular then, with the whole of Singapore rooting for her. So, i thought why not, bask in her glory and make my frens call me my chinese name, since it is so 'in'(popular) then... haa.. i m just a crappy guy
3) also school work is hectic, with so many projects. In fact, i am now near the end of a one week break, but most of the time have been spent doing work. seems like i have no life.
4) Oh, btw, to my italian frens, i just cook italian pasta for yday dinner.... GREAT rite!! long time since i prepare dinner for family.. i use fusuli, with carbonara sauce and with brocoli and tomato.. yeah.. my aunt gave me a 7 pts. haaa.. i shld have added some bacon, will then have been better.
5) ok, my latest craze is financial derivatives.. think i wan to creat a niche market for myself in the finance world. this is the way to go... i do not want to be just any other ordinary guy. I wan to be in HIGH DEMAND. so with a specialised field and interest, financial insitutions will be give in to my watever demands and bow to yours truly.. haaa ... oops, i m starting to dream again.
6) oh, maastricht frens, i send u postcard recently, tell me when u gt it..
k, datz all folks..

Jiawei

Long technology stocks esp chartered semiconductor

2004-09-07T22:30:00.000+08:00

I m calling for buy on chartered semiconductor(csm)
It has been underpeforming the tech-laden nasdaq recently, partly because of intel poor guidance recently. H/w, SMC, europe top semicond comp has kept guidance intact, so there really is no cause for worry. More imptly, oil prices are receding, sti index has break out too, poise for more upward movts. Additionally, my fav technical anlaysis tool, stochastics is also turning upward for that counter.

Plse note that i have vested interest since my csm is my fav stock and has some investment in it. i bought chartered at 1.03 today. it close at 1.05. keeping fingers crossed.

Ideas Needed

2004-08-23T15:18:00.000+08:00

Guys,
I am now doing a special project for WSC. We are intending to organise this special, one-day event for the hearing-impaired persons. Last year, they had a pedal-kart event. The year before dat, they had a canoeing expenditure. We need something refreshing that involves them and volunteers. One of the objective is to raise volunteer awareness in an unconventional way. so if u have any ideas, pls sms me..

thks

My letter to MP Vivian on 'Create our future' movt

2004-08-23T15:15:00.000+08:00

Greetings,

I am a year 3 undergrad studying business in NTU. Recently, I just came back from a 6 month overseas exchange study program in Netherlands and, prior to that, a 2 week exchange stint in China. I will like to relate my experience of living abroad in a different culture to share some ideas for creating our nation’s future.

We need the friendly kampung spirit back

As the society progress and modernize, we have inevitably become a victim of our own success. This is especially so in the context of high-rise HDB flats, where doors are usually shut, with families guarding as much privacy as possible. Children are no longer given the freedom to play with their neighbours. Instead, the moment they reach home, it is only their books or TVs that they interact with. The free wheeling, “you know almost everybody in the neighbourhood” spirit is gone. My older friends and relatives, those in their late 30s and above, and who had the experience of living in kampong, often lament that everybody is so closed up in their own world nowadays.

It was only when I went to Holland did I truly realize what they really meant. I had lived in a small town called Maastricht, with a population of just a few hundred thousands. There, virtually everyone knows each other. It is almost like one big tight-knit family. Coupled with that, their friendliness and the spontaneity to say hi and acknowledge each other presence amazes me so much. To give one simple analogy, when I took the elevator in Holland, the ‘ang moh’ next to me will naturally say hi to me, even if he does not know me. However, in Singapore, we will normally stare into open space or just look down at the floor. If one is to do this in Maastricht, he will have been branded rude or arrogant. Perhaps this is due to the Asia culture of shyness or protecting one’s face but this is certainly one area we can ill-afford. Artificial walls are erected in everyday lives. Trust and togetherness are rarity. To quote a famous Bible phrase, love your neighbour as you love yourself? But how well do we actually know our neighbour nowadays?

Something must be down to avoid the indifference and more snobbish attitudes that big city dwellers are known for. As I was listening to PM National Day Rally, as young ones like me are given ‘wings’ to explore the world, ‘roots’ activities that make us feel belong and involved will certainly go a long way to make us stay. On a more personal note, Singapore will always hold that special place in my heart. After all, this is my country where I was born and bred. Though I have my grumblings here and then, I truly appreciate the good life and opportunities given here. The social support system, waking up everyday knowing we are secured, food on our tables, a superd meritocracy system, economic prosperity, peace, and harmony. I count my blessings and am proud to be a Singaporean. Where else can find another home that has one of the best standard of livings, leaders who almost never put a wrong foot down. Singapore is one country that I will not exchange anything for.

Globalization calls for us to connect to the world, but are we ourselves connected at home?
This is a pertinent issue that a kampong spirit can help to foster. Man is by nature a social animal, but somehow, the society is stifling us to not go out and interact. The environment must be more conducive. Social inhibitions cannot be part of us. Just as networking is important to businessman, community togetherness is also needed for families. If we succeed in all these, the folks at SDU will also have an easier time in organizing social outings.

Cheers
elwyn

Heart goes out to Taiwan but my mind is for China

2004-08-22T17:28:00.000+08:00

Yup,

finaaally, time for me to input my reflections for this taiwan issue.. was so bussy the last few weeks..

China threat to reclaim her "renegade province" by force is something that defn must be taken seriously.
When i was in china last year for an exchange program, i have had the opportunity to asl my china frens this sensitive topic. Their unequivocal response was that Taiwan is part of china and they will be willing to shed blood to bring them back. Mind u, those students that i talked to were the more liberal generations. They were the cream of the crop and have exposure to the outside world, with a very modernistic outlook. If these people believe in that, wat more than the traditional, older chinsese.

However, though, i believe that since Taiwan is separated fr China for so long, and have already their own customs and traditions, they don feel belong to China. Moreover, as we have seen in HK, china has already break many of its promises on democracy. Just last month, as my HK fren, Ferris told me, there was a popular march, protest of abt 500,000 pple across the streets of hk. It just goes to show how increasingly upopular china rule is in HK. Freedom indeed is precious. Imagine u as a young teenager, do u want a step mother to constantly boss over u? no rite... Taiwan has already in place a strong economy with a vibrant democratic political system, excellent infrastructure, it is pointless for them to rerport to ano superior authority in China.

All said, the status quo is still the best. War should be no answer to any difficult questions. War is ridiculous. At the Normandy D day celebrations in June this year, the German Chancellor, Gerard Shoeder(forgt to spell his name) together with Bush and Jacques Chirac, walked along the infamous beach in memory of this significant event. All hatred seems to have been forgotten, Germans and the French are now best of frens. Just 50 years ago, they were at each others' throat. If a war is to be started between 2 chinese(taiwan and china), there will be disastrous consequences, with America obligated by Congress to help Taiwan, 2 of the world biggest econonmy will be be under serious threat. Limitless ramifications too.. Hence, though, my heart is for Taiwan, to prevent war, taiwan shld not call for independence and ultimately, in the long run, be reunited.

ed's gone

2004-08-22T17:21:00.000+08:00

yeah, my bro is gone.. he left for his INSTEP exchange program in Sweden.
dat means i will have the whole room to myself.. haa.. yuppie..
being the more neat freak, i have started clearing all his things.. dump all his books and stuffs to the storeroom... good riddance..

anyway, he called back just now.. and say that he is safe and sound..
err.. i dunno.. but though i was a lil sad at the airport.. think it will be even more worse the next few days.
I am so used to coming back and seeing him, though he is rarely in the last few weeks...
will indeed miss his presence.
anyway, i have more space now.. hmm.. think i can put them into good use.. hee..

Right on Track

2004-08-14T23:58:00.000+08:00

My forecasting for the stock market is correct again. STI has slumped abt 3.6% from a high of 1943 to abt 1870 levels on fri.

Sadness

2004-08-14T23:42:00.000+08:00

The last week has been hectic and emotionally taxing. My grandmother passed away in her sleep. She was 88. I was in school on that tuesday afternoon, discussing project with frens, when all of a sudden i receive a phonecall fr my sister to faster rush back to my grandma house coz something happened to ah ma (wat i usu call my grandma). So, i immediately end my discussion and took a cab back. Den, as i call back, my uncle told me "ah ma no more already" - she has passed away. How can this be? last nite, i was still watching the national day parade on tv with her. In fact, she was still q alert still know my name and differentiate me n my bro (this is no mean feat considering she has failing eyesight and some of my frens cant even do that). The only thing unusual about her the prior few days is that she keep sleeping.
She has always been a strong and firm woman who stands her ground very well - headstrong.
She cares for her children and always
In a way, i m glad that she passed away peacefully without much suffering and pain. This sets me into a very reflective mood that how somebody can just disappear all of a sudden. I will certainly miss her presence as she just lives a few block away from me and i always go there for dinner. I am also glad that i led her to sinners' prayer b4 thus at least i m assured that she is in heaven rite nw.

This whole episode though sadden me lots but has nonetheless reinforced my belief to live life to the fullest. In about 2 months since i am back, so many many things happened. Life is short, before u noe it, all the moments will have just go past you. Cherish them, be it sad or happy.

Initiate a short call on spore market

2004-08-09T13:36:00.000+08:00

Consider this paradox

Spore mkt, STI, is at a 3 yr high, while US market, Nasdaq and Dow Jones, and European bourses are at their year lows and has fallen through keep support levels.

The Cause
Spore markets push up by artificial, UNSUSTAINABLE factors
Politics - prolly the main reason, Temasek Holdings(with Hsien Loong's wife at the hem) takeover of NOL, could not have been timed better. It has helped propel the market convincingly through the key resistance level of 1905, which has taken all year for them to do so. Market is defn being propped up to help usher in Hsien Loong takeover, by unseen factors.

Dangers
H/w, in the midst of all these, the STI has decoupled from the rest of the world.
Oil maket, in nominal terms, is at its all time high. Although, inflation-adjusted, they are still below the peaks hit in the 70s oil crisis, they have caused jitters around the world. Decoupling, in the context of our increasingly globalized world, is senseless. In the same breath, allow me to give one example of globalizatin, terror threats ---> high oil pr( also caused by Russia's Yukos problems) ---> higher inflation ---> FED to hike interest rates --> US stock market to plunge ---> Europe stock market to free fall. Such linkage of factors are already being played out last week, only with a tiny economy like Spore, who accidentally heavily rely on the world's economy for her well-being, has not felt any effects. The point of globalization just make this process all the much faster.

Such is the paradox. External factors(world economy) vs internal factors (spore political succession), my money is on external factors and this will ultimately bring down spore mkt to reality.

Conclusion: SHORT Call...
PS: no time to talk abt taiwan issue, will defn try to talk before the end of this week...

Awesome display of fireworks and a cheesy concert

2004-08-09T02:31:00.000+08:00

Just got back from a temp job at marina.. was the crowd control for the 5566(a very popular taiwan band) concert. at first, i thought not bad, get paid $40 to watch a concert and fireworks display> However, due to some delay, i only knocked off at 0030am, instead of the promised time of 2330. If i had taken cab, it will set me back by 20 plus dollars and that will be half of my salary. luckily, there was a NR3.

Anyway, fireworks, as usual, always so spectacular... too bad, i didnt take any pictures coz my camera was down. The free concert at marina, boasting of some of the hottest acts from taiwan,was pretty rowdy as some sections of the public couldnt get in. - full house. Of cse, they were frustrated and since i was stationed at the entrance, i have to bore the brunt of their complains. K, back to the concert, so cheesy... all those boybands keep teasing the crowd with childish comments like "Can u hear me?" (err.. u are holding on to a microphone, who cant hear u), "Do u noe my name?" (I really dunno the names of some.. but all the same, they get the fans screaming for them), "Do u wan me to take off my jacket(like to strip)?" (well, up to u...). I really dunno why these fans like those singers so much.. after abt 1 hr into their concert, all their songs sound the same to me...

Conclusion: Boybands are meant for bands of boys and girls.......

BACKGROUND OF THE CHINA-TAIWAN CONFLICT

2004-08-08T00:21:00.000+08:00

Clear, unbiased history... who is right or wrong? u decide... i will give my comments later...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From America University, Washington

Taiwan, one of the most densely populated places on earth with 21 million people, is only about 245 miles long and 90 miles wide. Taiwan is dwarfed by mainland China, which has a population of 1.2 billion.

After being ruled by mainland Chinese dynasties for more than 400 years, Taiwan was invaded alternately by the Dutch and Spaniards during the 17th century. By the end of the century, however, it had reverted to Chinese rule.
In 1895, after China lost the Sino-Japanese war, Taiwan was ceded to Japan. The Japanese ruled the island for 50 years, until the end of World War II.
Following the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek transplanted his government to Taiwan's capital, Taipei. Chiang's Nationalist Party, known as the Kuomingtang, or KMT, continued to insist it was the legitimate government of all of China.
The Cold War spurred the United States to support Taiwan's fiercely anti-Communist government, which billed itself as "Free China." The US and Taiwan signed a mutual security pact in 1954.
In 1958, China launched an extensive artillery barrage against Quemoy and Matsu, two small islands controlled by Taiwan, close to the mainland. Taiwan's forces withstood the attack.
In 1971, Taiwan -- known as the Republic of China -- lost its seat in the United Nations to the mainland government, the People's Republic of China. It became increasingly isolated diplomatically. In 1979, the United States became the last major country to switch its recognition to Beijing. By 1997, only a handful of countries have diplomatic relations with Taipei. Both Taipei and Beijing insist that a country may only recognize one Chinese government.
Chiang Kai-shek died in 1975 and was succeeded by his vice president, Yen Chia-kan. Real power and control over Taiwan's government remained with the late leader's son, Chiang Ching-kuo, who was formally elected president in 1978 and again in 1984.
Chiang Ching-kuo's successor, Lee Teng-hui, continued the process by lifting a 43-year state of emergency and technically ending four decades of unwaged "civil war" against the mainland.
Leaders from the mainland and the island held their first high-level talks in 1993, but relations have remained rocky as Taiwan seeks to forge its own identity and gain worldwide political acceptance.
Lee Teng-hui has been forced to walk a fine line between those who want complete independence from the mainland and those who seek reunification.
Discussion of Taiwan independence -- once considered an act of treason -- is now allowed, but it remains controversial. Taiwanese are more inclined to support such a move than are the mainlanders. But even many Taiwanese feel that the status quo is the safest course for the near future.
Mao Tse-tung, the leader of the revolution that pushed Chiang Kai-shek onto the island, from the start made no effort to hide his desire to bring the island back under the fold, saying at one point that he was willing to wait 100 years to do so.
In March 1996, China was again acting aggressively toward Taiwan. China fired four M-9 missiles into the waters as close as 20 miles from Taiwan's shoreline. China also conducted live-fire and amphibious exercises in large sea areas bordering the middle line of the Formosa Strait and as close as 10 miles from the offshore islets controlled by Taiwan. This was done in an effort to discourage millions of anxious Taiwanese from voting for candidates in the March 23 presidential election who favor Taiwan's independence from China. Beijing's leaders may be hell-bent on a long-term policy to create upheaval within Taiwan, bringing the economy to near-collapse.
Chinese Premier Li Peng has said that no matter what the outcome of the election, the island's voters "cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China and its leaders are only leaders of a region of China." One Chinese Politburo member has reportedly stated that China would not hesitate to "shed blood" if Taiwan were to declare independence.

America Soft Power languishing

2004-08-06T21:00:00.000+08:00

"Soft power is the ability to get what you want by attracting and persuading others to adopt your goals."

I liken US war in Iraq to manipulating your subordnates. to use soft power is to shower plenty of love, concern and true magnetic power to turn them around your little finger so that they will be obedient to you. To use hard power is to simply use the rod and dole out punishments one after another. Of cse, being the kind-natured that i am, i am of cse totally against hard power, thatz why i detest and have totally low regard for army officers. Wat with the Abu Gebraid (forgot how to spell) US prison torture, improper justification on WMD to go to war with Iraq, US soft power is defn going down the drain. Armed with this is the growing unpopularity of US unilateral and often high-handed ways to get to its objectives , the upcoming US election is imperative. However, while i defn don support mr bush, i don think mr kerry leaves much to be desired too.. the latter though may be more relational, smarter and more sound, he is likely to be more isolationistic. Hmm.. yes, i think the US prez in my time, starting with mr bill, they are basically just crap.. How can anyone ever forget the monica lewinsky case? that is certainly classic.. Perhaps, they should just follow the latest trend to hit everyone and outsource to look for a prez, perhaps someone living in cck, spore.. yes... that will be my joy..

Make right an opinion!!

2004-08-06T20:47:00.000+08:00

I am gg to make right the following view from a famous American Lobbyist Nick Allard

"I don’t single out students for political apathy. I think it’s an unfortunate flaw that runs throughout our society. Participation levels in elections have been considerably low and falling for some time. I think that for anyone living in our society and in our time, politics provides an incredible opportunity to learn a lot about how society works and to gain some really useful insight that will serve you well in your life, as a businessperson for example. It also helps to gain an appreciation of the electoral and political process, an appreciation and respect for it, because it’s difficult, challenging, and very complicated........ Citizenship is work, not whining. If you don’t want to be directly involved, it is not asking too much to educate yourself enough to make wise, self interested decisions at the polls, and to vote."

I totally concur with wat he said in the last sentence... period... watch this blog man...

How I have been USEFUL for the past few weeks

2004-08-05T01:00:00.000+08:00

Hi,

Just came back from another chilling out night at wine bar with my sji frens.. I had originally intended to go to the "Absolute" America bash at zouk.. but because it was q expensive and some lees than enthusiastic attitude by some of my frens, we decided to hang out at wine bar instead..
I was talking to Leon and he sort of 'reminded' me that i have a blog.. and that i haven updated it for like 2 weeks liao.. Just abt time, anyway since, Gloria from Italy, has been asking me how i am..

Anyway, back to the main topic of wat have i been doing..
Sso many things have happened but i think i forgot lots of them already.
The biz venture that i wanted to set up... hmm.. after some deep considerations and discussion with some frens, i am finally convinced that it is not workable.. Sad rite.. I had in mind a dream team of accoutancy, engineer, hr, finance(myself), marketer, graphics designer who are all as enthusiastic as me to set up a biz.. I wanted to enter for the NTU biz plan competition with my this team.. but it was not to be...

The past one week i was also involved in the enternity drama production for 6 nites in a row.. H/w with so much efforts put in, i m quite disappointed with some stuffs.. but don think i wan to mention them here..
K, enuff about the past, letz talk abt the future..
Let me just share my future plans to make myself MORE USEFUL
USEFUL to the society - joining Welfare Services Club to give free tution to needy students
USEFUL to my school - giving a presentation next wed, 11 aug, to students abt my experience in Maastricht. Also, i will be representing my school for the Raffles International Lecture. I heard it is really q prestigious, attended by 400 top biz leader.. at raffles hotel i think. have to wear a coat and all.. hope to meet some directors there man.. NETWORK
USEFUL to JP Morgan, Bloomberg or HSBC - i hope to apply for internship in either one of these companies
USEFUL to tailor - plan to make a suit...
USEFUL to Moscow Circus - working there on sunday as crowd control.. shiok.. get paid to watch a free show..
USEFUL to frens around me - guys, if ever u need a listening ear or any help, feel free to call me.. hotline - 97882583.. The world is filled with too much talkers, info overload and everything.. sometimes, it is nice just to sit in one corner, be the invisible man and observe.. revelations do exist..
USEFUL to the masses- my latest infatuation is to be a political writer, influence in part by my good italian fren, Gloria and of cse, myself.. Hence, this blog will now onwards not only contains my useful deeds but will have my 2 cents' worth of VERY USEFUL political take on issues.. Feel free to give me your comments anytime.. I acknowledge i m extremely greenhorn with no background in political science at all, nvr read any books on it before.. therefore, yr comments to improve me will be very USEFUL and appreciated..

USE of my Fulness............

2004-07-20T16:03:00.000+08:00

Paris

2004-07-20T15:37:00.000+08:00

The 3 Dudes, Dan Wen, Jason and Superman

Chilling out at Wine Bar

2004-07-20T00:56:00.000+08:00

Tonite was Jarrold farewell before he set off to silicon valley..
He was my sec school classmate and soccer buddy.. haa.. i think he was our team top scorer.. a very good winger.. but nvr mind la, now that he is gone and i shld be avail after next sun, the team has an able substitute.. hee.. bhb... won miss him..

anyway, it was nice chlling out at wine bar, zouk.. zouk is one of the top discotheque in Singapore. It was nice chit chatting and having all the laughs and jokes digging at each other..
SJI, the school of ang moh pias (eng speaking ppl), all i can say is that i am proud that i was from there.. and having such intelligent and highly worthed friends there, i enjoy the company there and nvr fail to feel at ease there.. if u get wat i mean....

School is starting next week.. i m all geared up for it... i will really pia hard not just to study.. but to play as well.. haaa.. In line with my motto to make myself ever more useful, i m planning to join WSC, Union (for Intl fest), 1 or 2 more sub-comm in school.. this is on top of my fyp..
it will be like totally packed.. but that is the point of it all.. u will only learn most and be satisfied if u are challenged and stretched to the max... sound like a sadist... but the truth hurts (pun intended)... haaa

Something impossible just happened!!

2004-07-17T00:17:00.000+08:00

Today, when i reached home.. i receive a letter from my dean that i m in dean's list(top 5%) again, for the second year running.. WOW.. this is totally way unexpected.... my grades from the first semester is only AABC... hardly fantastic.. I am now more motivated to work harder and to continue aim for the stars.. a first class honours maybe? hmmm...

I m so thankful yet again for God's blessings.....

My schedule is jam packed!!

2004-07-09T22:44:00.001+08:00

Again, i m squeezed for time.. so many things to do, yet so little time.. But don worry, i m still cool and relaxed.. No point getting all stressed up..

Let me just list out the things i have to do...
1) Doing the preparatory and ground work in setting up my very own business.
Hope to get it officially registered by the end of the month and to go full fledge into operation by the start of the next year. That is the framework i m looking at. There are still many things yet to be resolved. I will tell u guys abt my this biz plan later. At the moment, all i can say is that i m totally all excited about it. Just a gauge of how fav the response, 5 friends i talk to, all overwhelmingly say that mine is workable. hmm...

2) Involve in my church drama production called "Eternity"
3) Forcing myself to go gym twice a week
4) Tuition my sister
5) Playing soccer every sun
6) writing my exchange report
7) Preparing essay and resume for internship in Australia
8) Visit dentist
9) Go for facial(cost abt $180).. i have a free voucher.. haaa.. exciting.. my veri first time
10) Still trying to meet and catch up with some friends
11) 2 day course at Bloomberg next week
12) Final Year Project - trying to rush through as much as possible this holiday
13) Fix desktop( full of cock-ups and errors)
14) fix bicycle - wheel almost coming out.. i hope i don fall off one day
15) Chalet next week
16) Learn guitar
17) Still haven fully pack my stuff from my stay in Maastricht. Plans to put up my collections of postcards all over my wall
18) FYP Seminar
19) Go sun tan ( i m damm fair and white now.... )

wow.. incredible man.. i don think i have ever been this bz..
but is all cool, since it is in line with my new motto..
"To make myself more useful" haaaaaaaaa.....
I like this motto man...

What have i been doing since i came back?

2004-07-04T01:26:00.000+08:00

An interesting question to start off with my first real blog entry.. The others u see before this are done up by a close friend, Janet, who "faithfully" store all my emails back home and then to save up space for her email, create this blog for me so as to dump all them into here.. haa... what can i say..

K, anyway, back to the qn..
Let me just recap wat i have been up to since i came back from maastricht.
Hmm... did the usual things expected of people who came back after a long time abroad, that is to catch up with friends and family. Bz declaring the whole world that i m BACK.. haa.. and then, if possible, ask them to bring me ard Orchard(Spore famous shopping district) as a tourist.. haaa..

Today has been like almost 2 weeks since i m back, but i barely meet up with 50% of my friends, even though i been out almost every nite.. Many times, it was nice catching up and learning how others have been..

I played soccer last sun, and it was of cse, very tiring for me. Barely run for the last 6 months, and with the uncompromising afternoon sun, it was almost unbearable for me. I could barely run.. Out of breath the next moment whenever i start to make a dash for some ball. Somehow, haa.. but i manage to score 2 goals, even though i m not known to be a good scorer. Maybe, i got some dutch kicks from my stint overseas... haa..

I have been working for NTU alumni for the past one week, doing surveys for the outgoing fresh graduates. Had a veri good time. Even though, the pay is low, $5/hr, i think it is all q worthwhile. learn plenty of stuff, from the manager to the new friends i meet. Of cse, most of the time, the temp staff and i were taking things lightly, joking arond non-stop and being childish.. haaa.. making the best out of every sitaution. Oh, there was one interesting incident.. haaa..

Somehow, i manage to get involved into some interesting conversation with these 2 accountancy graduates. After completing the survey for the NTU Alumni, i just ask them casually abt their work and feelings of grad, just trying to strike up some conversation haa.. we talk for a while, and then somehow, i know they are waiting for a fren and so i offer them some seats so that they can wait comforably. Of cse, with those seats, i started talkin more to them.. haaa. i must admit, one of them sure looks chio(beautiful gal).. haa.. so gt some hidden incentive for me to keep the talk gg.. haaa.. Later, as i know the DBS vendors beside me q well, i gt some free 'facial' voucher worth abt $180 from them and gave it to the gals.. They sure seem q happy.. haaa.. Later, when they found their friend and got off, i took the completed survey, gt their no and send them a sms tt it was nice chatting with them, hoping for some reply.. Haa, it didnt come.. BUT, later, when i knock off from work, in abt an hr later, i saw them at the canteen again.. wat a coincidence!! I wave hi, talk for a while and then go off.. haa... den later, i realise they took the bus behind mine which arrived at the same MRT(Metro) train stop as me. So of course, i met them at the train platform and wave hi again. haaa.. i cheekily joked them not to stalk me.. haaaa.. den later, as i arrive at my train stop and wave a final goodbye, they all seem to become like small gals and say bye in a shy manner.. haaa.... this whole espisode seem all so hilarious to me as i look back. My only intentions was to just make friends with these gals and they all thought i was interested in them.. haaa.. It also reflects on me how i have changed. I have become more open-minded from my stay abroad. All this would have been previously impossible.. haaa...

ok, anyway, i got to go sleep liao.. will talk abt my exciting dreams and plans for the next few months in my next entry...

farewell maastricht

2004-06-06T13:34:00.000+08:00

(mass email home on 5th June)
Hi Guys,

This is my final update as I bid farewell to Maastricht. I will be embarking on my last trip to Zara land(Barcelona), Champs Elysees (Paris) and Buckingham Palace (London) tomorrow morning... hee.. will be back in Singapore ard mid June.

I had just finished my exams today.. erm, quite so so. Hoping just to pass. With that, the final jigsaw of my Maastricht University education has been completed. The special student-focused problem based learning, though tough, has allowed me to learn many things. Appropriately, perhaps, it is time to reflect back on the things I have learnt from this trip. This trip has been such an eye-opener for me. I have learnt many valuable lessons in life and done many firsts but not to bore u guys, I will just put one of the most important one that has impressed me most..

The wonder of interacting and learning from people ard the world .. Friendships truly transcend all boundaries and barriers... In the past 7 months, I have gone for 2 wonderful exchange programs, in China and Netherlands, fortunate to make friends around the world. It is truly amazing even though we come from different backgrounds and languages, we are still able to bond and be so close together. For example, I mean my Italian roommate is pretty poor in English to the point like everyday, he has to ask me the meaning of several words. Nonetheless, we have become so close, confiding in each other problems, worries and troubles. Sometimes, indeed, it is the unspoken language of love, kindness and concern that is the most important of them all...

I close the final update of myself with a story that my cousin once shared with me. Our life is like a book, the pictures and words are entirely up to u how u want to draw and write in them. This unique book of yours is specially authored by u and u only. No doubt, there are many characters that will past by - some bad and some good, many scenes - sad and happy ones, many songs - some jovial and some heartbreaking, these are all precious moments for u, all part and parcel of life.. I have my fair share of downs and ups.. gone thro some really tough times a few yrs go, when I was at the pits of my life... but thanks be to God, I have emerged stronger. Though I still have my inhibitions at times from the emotional scars I suffered before, I thank God that I can be so myself in this exchange program. In a world like us, the everyday masks that we put up to shield and protect ourselves have made us all so like strangers. We all have our weaknesses and sometimes, we refuse to accept them but isn't those things that make us so human. The last 5 months stay in Maastricht has definitely be a highlight of my life, an eye-opener. I refuse to believe this is the best time of my life, coz with God by my side, I believe He will give me so much more... I have just closed a tremendously wonderful chapter of my life, filled with many beautiful pictures.... and with the plane back to Spore, symbolically, it is time to begin a new chapter, to begin a new life.... and already I am looking forward to them... J

With Love,

Elwyn

PS. I hope u guys have enjoyed reading my updates just as I have enjoyed writing them.. Hope to continue to keep in touch.

The last days... it just keeps getting sadder

2004-05-28T08:51:00.000+08:00

(mass email)
Hi,

Another precious moment.

The last days just keep getting better. Yday, we had another one of our many special dinners. However, this time it is really special, 25th May will be the day I remember 4ever. I created a movie called "Our Journey Together" for my corridor, compiling highlights, footages, pictures and snapshots made the last 5 mths. The actors were all the residents in the corridor, abt 20 of them in total.... The point is that the residents didn't even noe they were in the movie, so when I show them during the dinner yday, all of them were so shocked and surprised.. I manage to weave a plot abt the daily lives and events in the corridor. In the end, it became a crying fest... even me, thought I cld take it, started to break down.. so sad.. the worst thing is that this is not even the farewell.. we still have abt 1.5 weeks tog.. I dunno wat will happen on the actual day I leave here.. the movie dawned upon us that this wonderful "Journey Together" here is abt to end.. Alice, my the other Singaporean friend, designed a sweet cd cover and we burnt the movie into a cd and gave to our friends as a farewell gift.. We left a farewell note behind also.. and of cse our address too.. to ask them to send us postcards... haaa...

Later, I had another surprise for my roomie, Davide. I did an even sadder movie called "The Darlings" for him, specially choosing the soundtrack of Unchained Melody. We used to affectionately call each other darling.. haa.. and he had completely no idea that I did the surprise for him... it was incredibly sad... at then last scene was a "Superman" photo frame i bt in WB Movie Wld last week... he was speechless and i took out the wrapping and gave to him physically.. again, he had no idea tt i bt this gift him for him... he was really gutted and gave me a big brotherly hug.... omg... in the end, tears stream down our cheeks uncontrollably.. Later, he gave me his Italian flag.... Wow.. This flag has been with him for 12 yrs, traveled with him to American, Ireland and Italy.. I was so touched that he gave a part of him to me. Also, he asked me to be his witness for his wedding which he hoped to have in 3 years times with his beloved gf.. wow... I am so honoured... have to save up money to make the next trip to Europe again..

Yup, the mood is getting damm sad, and happy at the same time.. bittersweet.. everyone has really bonded tog.. Carol, an Italian gal, is also starting to have depression coz she cant bear to leave this place too. As for me, even though the exams are next week, I don really give a damm abt it.. haa.. coz it is the moments and experiences here that are more precious to me. I have so limited time here left and so many things to do. Really determined to make my stay here the best I cld possibly have, to leave her without regrets... for many reasons, it already has been.

Hugs and kisses,

elwyn

27 days to Singapore

2004-05-22T10:09:00.000+08:00

(mass email home)
Hi,

How are u?

As for me, i have some bad news to report... pretty sure I fail my Dutch Languge exam, didn't answer abt 30% of the questions and even those I answer was some guesswork. The passing criteria is abt 60%... so that only means my chances are really slim.. the worst thing is that a couple of mths back, I appeal so hard to let this course be accepted as an elective in NTU.. how ironic and nw, I have to cock up some excuses for the failure...

I am having another one week break.. and almost everyone here is traveling.. I am not coz I am almost totally broke.. no more money... but well, I am very fortunate that tomorrow morning, my German friend, Andrew, is giving me a lift to Warners Bros' Movie World in Dusseldorf, Germany. It is abt 2 hrs ride away. I m really excited to go to the theme park via German highway coz I heard the minimum (not max) speed limit is 140km/hr... wow.. we will be like speeding all the way man... way cool.... Just too bad his car is not BMW.. hee...

Just got back from another birthday party.. this time it was for my Italian fren, Gloria, my travelmate for the Germany trip. It was a dinner cum party organized with 2 other Spanish people which I don noe. Well, the one bad thing abt the Spanish people is that their dinner time is usu ard 11 pm.. so by the time, we started eating the food, itz already damm late. Some of us were so hungry that we pinch some of the food on the table to temporarily appease our growling stomach...Hee.. By the time the dinner finishes, their birthday will also be over coz it would have been past midnite.. haaaaaaaaa.... sound so silly.... to spend the last moments of yr bday eating... haaaaaaaaaaa....

It is about 27 days to Singapore. I am so looking forward to reunite with my family and frens back at hme, but however, I so dont want to leave this wonderful place.... So bittersweet.. I have been here for 115 days, and every one of these days and moments have been so special and dear to me.. 27 days are all that is left, and this is one countdown I am definitely not looking forward to...

C u in June,

elwyn

My birthday celebration

2004-05-09T08:47:00.000+08:00

(mass email home on 8 May)
Hi,

It was my bday yesterday, and I really had a good time.. so thought I wan to share with u guys one of my happiest days in Maastricht..

At the stroke of midnight, Emilie, rush to my room and scream me for help that there is fire in her room.. and gosh.. when I rush her to a room...there are really fire there but on the candles... surprise!!.... the others were lined up in rows like a choir.... singing happy bday.. so sweet... omg.. i knew they will throw a party for me, but I didn't imagine it to be like this... the pple here in Maastricht really rock my world man.. I was a little bit homesick prior to that coz my mom's bday is just one day before mine and my bro of cse has the same bday as me... my family usu have a big celebration at home.. so I was like kinda missing home.... the worst thing is that my msn wasn't working well, cldnt hear their voice.. it has to be down on the day like this... I was like sulking and whining the whole day ... haa.. I even skipped 2 classes... just didn't want to do anything.. but nw my new 'home' in Maastricht gave me such a wild celebration that it really brought back my happy mood again.. I was ecstatic.... Totally unbelievable.....the first time I spend my bday abroad and I simply enjoy every minute of it.....

Later, as usual, we went to Highlander, the student pub, to have a couple of drinks.. and wow, I was cajoled to down Captain Morgan, this 70% alcohol drink, not just one, but 3 shots.. I almost puke out the dinner I ate earlier... Haa.. however, being the superman that I am, my alter ego here, I was not drunk and could still walk home... Later, in my room, we continue to celebrate, and erm.. I did some embarrassing things.. haa.. too embarrass to say in the email.. haaa.. I just leave it to u guys imagination to what it is... haa...

So, the next morning, woke up with a splitting headache... and went online to chat with frens and family.. and then went back to sleep again... down and out.. haa.. When I finally woke up again, I start to organize another international dinner in my room.. haa.. partly, coz my fridge has no more food.. so I thought I just get the whole corridor to cook for me... haa... anyway, I am the King for that day, so I can do anything I like.. haa..

The weather was q bad, raining virtually the whole day, haa.. remind me of Singapore.. there was actually a funfair at the central, but since it was raining, we decided not to go... instead, we went to play pool... Haa.. my aiming was totally off.... blame it on the drinks.. haaa.. we played till past midnite, before gg for supper with Turkish Kebab...

This sum up my bday.. one of the best ever....

Thank God once again for all these moments, this incredible day....

Tears of joy,
elwyn

elwyn again

2004-05-07T10:39:00.000+08:00

(mass email on 6th May)
Hello everyone again,

I m just a lil bit more free nowadays... so I thought I send u guys email again.. haa... anyway, time to stop talking abt my travels... and more on my stay in maastricht... also kinda broke.. so no more travel till before I go back...

My roomie is not around, he went to berlin with his gf, so itz kinda quiet in my room nowadays... which is very abnormal.. haa.. so nowadays I try to invite pple to my room for dinner.. haa.. btw, my cooking skills have really improved tremendously.... Heh... I noe some of u cant wait for me to come back to spore to cook for u guys rite.. haa.. fat hope! Haa.. anyway, I will try to cook sweet and sour pork tmr.. yum yum... don drool... haa.. and I was so bo liao today that I started to rearrange some of my furniture and perfecting my coffee making skills... haa.. I drank a few cups of Italian coffee... damm superd awake nw.. gg to burn midnite oil later.. haa.. don think I just play and play here.. I also gt study ok...

Wat else to tok abt? Hmm.. ok, let me tok more abt the education system here.. problem-based learning... it has really pushed me, test me to the limits.. here, the students are like teachers and the teachers are like students.. there is no teaching involved... virtually all classes are conducted in tutorial, self-learned... in fact, students are required to givc a 'lecture' and teach on the topics of readings that was pre-destinated... there is no help at all, just reference of the chapters in the textbook and which journal articles to read... moreover, since here is a direct masters program, some of the readings are really q beyond me..

oh, I forgt to tell u guys that my msn is elwyn_chan@hotmail.com... Add me, I gt a webcam and microphone, so if u guys are free, can hook me up and chit chat.. It will be nice to continue to keep in touch even though we are miles apart...

oh, ok.. I also finally upload some of my pix... though I only manage to name some of them..

I have replaced the pix from my china exchange program with my trip in Belgium, Holland and Italy

http://community.webshots.com/user/elwyn_chan

Also, the germany photos are still in the linked below..

http://community.webshots.com/user/elwyn_chan_2

Yup, datz all for me....

Bye and take care,

elwyn

Romancing Italy

2004-05-01T10:29:00.000+08:00

(mass email)
Ciao,

Ever since I came back from my italy trip, I find myself weighed down by mountains of work.. The beginning of the block is hectic.. You can consider me fortunate or otherwise... coz most of my projs and presentations are due in the beg of the week.. which will also mean that I will have more time for myself the next few weeks... Yup, anyway... finally have time to write my travel journal in italy... so sit back and enjoy.. heh!

Romancing Italy

First, early morning, mad mad rush for our 1 euro flight to PISA.. yes, excluding tax, this flight only cost me 1 euro.. damm cheap rite.. well, datz the bargain u get if u book budget airlines early... k, back to the trip, our train to Belgium got delayed for abt 45 min.. We were so so late that we have to jump across fences, dash across railway tracks to get to the airport.. Haa.. can u imagine.. we were carrying a full load of backpack... Then, when we finally arrive abt 10 min before they close the gates, we discover Rosie book the wrong flight to Pisa... Aaarrgghh.. panic man.. Nothing could be worse than this.. but luckily, some pple did not board the flight and so there were empty seats, and Rosie cld come with us.. Haa... and finally, when I board the plane, I heave a sigh of relief... this is only the start of the journey...

At PISA, we headed straight for Piazza Del Miracoli to see the leaning tower. After doing those customary must do poses to support the tower for the camera, we sat down at the grass patch for our sandwich lunch.... Really damm funny, everybody else was doing THE POSE of supporting the tower.. haa... We loiter around for a few more hrs before setting off south to Florence.

At FLORENCE, I was shocked to find my hostel to be a camping ground on a hill.... Omg, we had mistakenly book a camp to live in.. Terrible, the temperature was sub 10.. Cold... and all they provide us was a tent with 2 beds inside... no heater whatsoever..... We figure that we could try out one night coz most other hostels that we tried to book before was full.. It was also q late, abt 7 pm, so we really had no other choices, thinking that the tent might somehow protect us from the cold.. Then we went downhill to go to the city centre for dinner.. and luckily, we manage to find a reasonably-priced Italian restaurant.. At night, I simply slept in with just a t shirt and berms.... I must be mad.. but miraculously, I could still sleep.. btw, I dunno if I mention in my prev emails, I really must say that I am a damm great sleeper.. Just give me 5 min and I will just doze off.. really no place is too difficult for me to sleep in.. k, anyway, that nite was ard 5 degrees I think, and it started raining too.. making it all the more cold... haa.. I could still sleep for a few hrs.. it was not until 3 am I woke up to find myself shivering.... Wah cow, this time I was seriously freezing, I wore my jeans, another jacket, socks, shoe.... And still I was freezing,... datz hw cold it was.. anyway, I still manage to sleep after 5 mins... haaa

The next day, nt surprisingly, we decide to get out of this campsite.... Den, haa.. I gt a surprise, we saw another 2 gals from Maastricht university, Kitty, from China and Fara (not sure I spell her name correctly) from England at the bus stop.. they also didn't sleep well the prev nite.. In the end, we decide to share a hotel room for the next nite.. and so there u have it.. haa... 4 gals and a guy in a hotel room.. haa... I can see all those envy eyes... K, back to Florence, the city has a typical medieval and Rennaissance setting... Streets small and narrow and brown buildings all mesh inside.. surrounded by the Tuscany hills.. veri lovely...

The next day, early morning, we left for ROME while Kitty and Fara stayed on... I was so lucky.. my dear Italian roomie, Davide, hosted me there with his gf, Chiara..... it was so nice of him.. he traveled all the way from Isernia, abt 180 km away.. so cool... probably the first time I didn't have to look at my map at all.. haa.. have a personal tour guide.... He show me ard the city centre, pointing and explaining all the main attractions...The one I was most impressed with have gt to be Piazza Venezia... I think it is the most beautiful square I have seen so far, even better than those in Berlin... sorry Germany and the rest but I have a new love, Italy.... I think it is the most beautiful place I have been so far... Davide was a veri good host... we had such a fun time.. In the evening, as we bade him farewell, I have to whip out my map again.. haa.. this time we have to find our way back to our hostels by ourselves...

The next day, itz time to hop to another country.. haa.. the VANTICAN CITY... k, in my opinion, this is the most beautiful part of Italy... the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's painting of The Last Judgement was simply awesome... took my breath away... speechless when I first saw it... It was Good Friday that day.. and we were so lucky that we manage to enter St Peter's church even though we do nt have tix. The city guide that we have hired for our visit to the vantican museum helped to sneak us in.. I cant say how blessed and fortunate I am.. I was at the centre of this massive mass service right inside St Peter's church on Good Friday.. The St Benini's canopy was just right in front of me and the pope was to my far right.. I was overwhelmed at how God has been so good to me.. I am sooooo thankful...

That same night, we took an overnight train to VENICE.. Haa.. more adventures again.. we share the six seats cabin with this Italian couple.. haa.. he is totally eccentric.. fidget non-stop.. keep talking to us.. and can u believe it.. he tried to teach us some Italian.. and it was 2 am.. haa.. midnite lesson.. haa.. and so we hardly sleep... The morning in Venice, we simply strolled around like zombie... so wasteful... haa.. Since, we had so much time and being the great sleeper I am, I took a short nap by one of the rivers, and only when I woke up, did I realize hw enchanting Venice was. It was so captivating.. Venice is where Casanova is birthed and there are ample reasons around why he so appropriately came from here...

Yup, datz all.. I got to sleep.. Will be rushing off to Amsterdam tmr morning in my French gal friend's car.. Itz Queen birthday tmr... and the whole Holland will be celebrating... This time, I am traveling with 3 french and 1 Italian gals.. haa.. I really am not chee hong or buaya but dunno why I am always traveling with predominately gals... Well, Casanova meets sunrise.. heh.. ;)

Mi piace molto Italia
(I love Italy very much)
elwyn

Another long update

2004-03-24T14:55:00.000+08:00

(mass email home)
Hello,
Another 2 weeks have passes since I last wrote back.. Unbelievable... time passes by so fast..

My cycling trip last sun to Belgium was fun.. We were fortunate that the sun was out and had one of the most beautiful weather for a long time... Haa.. however, the only unfortunate part is that the I m leading the way even though I don exactly know where I m gg.. haa.. All I know is to follow the direction of the river.. Expectedly, we got ourselves lost.. more on that later... As we cycle past the farmlands and the picturesque rural area, it was simply breathtaking.. Stretches of land just swept across us.. even the clouds seem so near us as if we could touch them..

Since the weather was so lovely, we stopped by a garden at this chateau for a little picnic... however, after having a few bites, we got chased out... haa.. we had intruded into private property.. in the end, we decided to have our lunch at Vise, the Belgium town where we intend to turn about and make our way back.. haa.. now, this is where the real adventure begins....as we make a small deviant turn to the chateau, we had lost sight of the river, our supposed compass... well, I thought it was ok as long as I just continue going straight.. haa.. we follow this winding path which kinda of bring us to nowhere... Worse still, it was so windy but blowing against our direction.. no matter how hard I pedal, my bike do not seem to be make much headway.. Now, I truly realize why holland is so famous for her windmill.. strong, terrible winds.... torturing.. even worse than riding uphill.. Later, as we venture on and on, we somehow find ourselves in the highway.. dangerous.. off limits to us but we still carry on.. haa.. daredevil sia... Then, before we know, we are in Belgium.. yuppie.. we have just cycled cross-country.. Tour de France.. haa..

In Vise, most of the shops were closed as it was a Sunday... but luckily, we still manage to find a café for a drink... later, as we head back, suddenly, more signposts were now available to direct us back to Maastricht... we took a different way back and this time, it just took us 1 hr instead of the 3 hrs we took to reach Vise... when we arrived at the hostel, all of us were just exhausted.. my legs are like jelly...

Yup, datz all for my cycling adventure... People here is still partying almost everyday although exam starts nex week.. Veri bo chup... Me too.. haa... I only have one exam on 1 Apr., lucky for me, it is open book and constitute only abt 35 per cent of the total score.. so can relax.. haa.. so datz y u see me writing such long email.. haa..

After my exam, I will be exploring the northern part of Holland with 2 Singaporean buddies, Shangli and John who are working and studying in England.. We intend to visit the world famous tulip place Keukenhof. My only worry is that the tulip will blossom later this year coz of the cold weather meaning i might not see the full bloom.The official start date for Spring here is 21 march, but it is still veri cold.. in fact, it was snowing this afternoon... can only hope for the best..
Then, I will be romanticizing Italy during the Easter break. I wil be gg with Alice and another American gal, Rose. Haa.. so sad.. no more Charlie angels... haa.. But.. wait.........................
there may be 5 more Singaporean gals on exchange in Scotland joining us.. seems like i m having a lot of luck wif gals.. haa...

Yup, till then.. take care!
elwyn

Elwyn back in holland again

2004-03-14T03:05:00.000+08:00

(mass email)
Dag (hi),

time for storytelling again.. heh...

Yup, after the odyssey from my germany trip, it is back to reality.....

Things have more less settled down for me.. my schedule too is becoming more routine... wed and sun designated for washing clothes and doing homework, mon and thurs - school lessons .. Friday.. trip to the market.. and the occasion party on thurs.. and sat to the church... sound boring rite.. haa.. yaa.. I am also finding myself watching more downloaded shows like smallville and friends.. haa.. my roomie and I simply learn smallville, although the plot is getting q cliché...

I am also organizing a cycling trip for my corridor pple to Belgium this Sun.. we are only abt 20 min walk to the border... yah, u can literally jog there... However, the cycling trip, we are planning to take a longer way along the river... for better scenary to a small Belgium town.. approx ard 30 km.. the only prob now is I do not owe a bike, but since, abt haf abt the students here owe a bike, I shld be able to borrow one from a fren..

Some funny phenomenon is happening here.. Everybody is putting on weight except maybe, for me... My roomie has put on abt 9 kg.. even though I eat almost the same meals as him.. He is now on a diet and of cse, making more trips to the gym... The weather here is still as weird as before... just last week, it warms up to abt 10 degree....then just as i finally feel spring is coming.. the temperature plummet down back to sub zero degree and started snowing again.. I heard Spore is raining all day rite..

I am still as muddle head as ever.. yday, when I bath, I left my soap and shampoo in the shower room... haa.. so silly and I didn't even realize it the next day.. Also, at times, when I borrowed from my roomie his bicycle to cycle to sch, I didn't realize that I m taking the wrong road to sch until my neighbour pointed out to me one day... I am still having difficulty adjusting to the 'right' for slow-moving instead of 'left' in spore.. they have special bicycle lane here, which makes it all the more confusing for me...

I have uploaded my Germany photos onto another new website coz there are too many of them..

http://community.webshots.com/user/elwyn_chan_2

Till my next update again
Tot Ziens (Bye),
elwyn

Conquest of Germany

2004-03-03T21:44:00.000+08:00

(mass email)
Hi,

Juz some more regular update again abt myself to prevent u guys from forgetting me... heh... bhb
it is pretty long.. hope u guys have the patience to read it...

Yup, i just came back from my conquest of Germany... like Hitler's blitzkrieg, i set myself a lightning speed and packed itinery of 6 cities in 7 days... went together with 2 italian and 1 spore gals.. haa.. damm lucky rite me.. my three Charlie's Angels i call them.. they sure did protect and take care of me very well ..haa..

First up, COLOGNE. There was this minor cockup as it was the start of the carnival week.. public transport wasnt working, so i couldnt take a bus to aachen, the nearest german town, to start the use of my 4 day german rail pass.. i ended paying slightly more by taking a train straight to cologne.. There, i met up with some of my german frens who bring us thro the carnival... wow, the streets were packed with pple dressed up in party costumes.. pple were dancing, singing and cheering having so much fun.. at the parade pocession, those at the train were throwing chocolate bars and flowers to the crowd by the side of the street.. my friends and i collected so much chocolates that we simply had them for lunch... the crowd were juz screaming "kolle alaaf" (meaning hooray to cologne) cries after cries in unison, they juz continue on and on.. like some victorious war cry to their heroes in the train parade.. it was so much fun..

My two italian frens cldnt get the tix to FUSSEN, my next stop, so we parted for a while... i continue onwards with alice, my sporean fren... we took the overnite train and arrived at fussen abt 9 in the morning.. there, we saw the amazing Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.. really very beautiful.. it sits in the Bavarian Alps.. like some fairy tale castle.. however, i only have the chance to go into one of them as the other one was close.. the interior was not veri impressive.. look rather small to me... furnishings were quite simple and normal.. maybe, i had too high expectations... haa..

Next, i reunite my italian frens at munich hostel and we went to SALZBURG, Austria, birthplace of mozart... haa.. though beautiful this place is, it juz makes me laugh whenever i think of this place.. there is this big paradox.. pictures, gifts, chocolates, drinks that bore the name of mozart was everywhere... it seems like they worship him or some sorts... however, wat i heard is that mozart didnt like lving there and find it stifling... so silly... tourism sure defy logic.. haa..

Then, we return back to MUNICH and we hang ard there for abt a day... went to some museums and so silly, we went ard the city by foot even though we bought the subway day pass... there were many impressive monuments. The only disappoinment here is the garden at Nymphenburg palace was covered wif snow, making it white instead if green... and some of the monuments was covered up with wood to protect them from the snow. In the nite, we went to this famous German Beer brewery... called Hofbrauhaus.. haa.. the glass they served were in a big 1 litre form.. veri huge.. although, i don really like beer,... but surprisingly, the Bavarian beer taste nice and is very drinkable... and of cse.. i manage to finish the whole jug... went back back hostel a bit high.. so wanted my 3 angels to carry me back.. haa... but sadly and luckily, they didnt need to...

BERLIN is our next stop, my fav german city... here.. we took a day walking tour... and can u believe it, we literally walk for abt 9 hrs.. almost non-stop.. from 10 to 7... and all these for juz 10 euro.. the tour guide, Terry, was a former British diplomat.. he show ard us the sights of germany, telling us abt the Jewish synagogue, Holocaust, WWII, Berlin Wall... i came away richly fulfilled and impressed with german culture and history... In the nite, it was snowing quite heavily, think it was abt -7 degrees.... and we juz keep walking.... really crazy pple us...

My last stop, HAMBURG.. haa.. the hamburger pple.... haa.. when i alighted from the train.. i so wanted to munch hamburger.... haa.... but they are famous for their fish burger.. coz this is a port city... so didnt get any.. they have many bridges... think like venice... the place is also quite green,,, not much snow... incredibly, we enjoy the main attractions with abt 2 hrs... really seasoned travellers we are... and could catch the earlier train back to Maastricht

We finally arrived back in Maastricht at abt Sunday nite 10 pm.. surprsingly, i wasnt veri exhausted coz i being the good sleeper i am, i manage to catch some sleep on the train rides.. so had plenty of rest on the way.. the terrible thing is that the next morning, at 9 am, i have classes.. Aaarrrgghh.. back to reality.. with piles of clothes to wash... but then again, think i shldnt complain..

My conquest of Germany ends here.. looking back, i really want to thank God for all these.. this has certainly be a dream come true for me....

Hoi Hoi,
elwyn

PS I do not have time to upload the photos yet.. will inform u guys when i done it...

Into my third week in Holland

2004-02-18T02:03:00.000+08:00

(mass email home)
Hihi,

howz everyone?

How time flies? I am alr into my third week in holland.. School has started about 2 weeks ago. after the crazy orientation in the first week, it is time to get down to some serious business..

A totally new format of teaching is employed here.. called Problem-based learning whereclasses are taught through problems solving, meaning all the settings here is in tutorials except for abt 2 lectures... presentations and active class participations and discussions are the norm and always expected and demanded from you... so unlke NTU... well, this is certainly eye-opener for me and has to adjust myself... h/w, i made the mistake of enrolling myself into this notoriously tough finance module where u are assumed to know how to do empirical studies on a given set of data(like fyp) and some finance theories.. sadly, i haven learn them yet.. and was so lost and confused that i decided to drop this subject... For the first time, failling is a very likely possiblity esp when the average results for exchange students in the past sems is a 'failed' grade. so decided not to risk it and withdraw the course and come back to NTU and overload another subject...

Then, before i can recover the stress of dropping this subject, i am struck by a flu bug.. kept me confined to bed... felt hazy, blurry and out of sorts.. but luckily, perhaps it is a blessing in disguise.. coz after dropping a subject, my school days are only on mon and thurs so have more time to rest and recover in bed.. and not be bothered by homework and assignments!!

Weather here is still as cold as ever although spring is suppose to start around now.. was nearly caught in a hailstorm last week with no umbrella and raincoat.. but luckily manage to run fast enough to escape from it..

Meanwhile, i am also turning myself into a chef.. my italian roomie is a master chef.. the italian pasta he whipped out are the Real deal.... hopefully, all the food he cooks will fatten me up in no time.. haa.. i need it man..

Also, how are u guys' vday? haa.. as for me, didnt manage to catch any blue-eyed ang moh babe for a date.. haa.. so sad.. haa.. no la.. my whole corridor went to a pub to drink.. it was quite fun.. and in the afternoon, went shopping wif my 2 sporean gal frens.. gals can really shop for hrs without feeling tired at all... in the night, my room got converted to a theatre and we watch america pie 3.. i was thinking to myself.. wat a way to spend friendship day.. haaa..

Next week, i will be having a one week carnival break.. this is the dutch custom for wild celebration before the prioed of Lent where pple will be dressed up in weird costume and go from cafe to cafe, singing songs, dancing... think it wil be qute fun.. looking fwd to it.. after the weekend, i will travel ard germany for abt 1 week... shall upload more photos then

k, datz all for me.. till the next update,
wish everyone good luck! (the dutch always like to say this) in your sch work

elwyn