Friday, February 29, 2008
Random grouping. Eat my bullshit.
One of the reasons why I haven't been online lately is because I have put my laptop away in cold storage. Anyway, I am pissed. Very pissed regarding my group allocation for my environmental engineering project. Can believe that I have been 'randomly' grouped with this particular person for all of my four group projects this year?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Late owl meeting
The time is 12am and my financial and financial management project group has just adjourned our meeting that lasted the past 4 hours. I just want to catch some sleep now. Goodnight!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Run, baby, run!
My goal for this week is to work doubly hard so that I can have a stress-free hoilday in Paris this weekend. I thankful to have overcome my activation energy to hit the gym again.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Travel plans
My purpose for today is to maintain high energy and enthusiasm levels.
I am thankful to have such delicious food for breakfast this morning. :)
I can't wait to go to Paris Disneyland this coming weekend!
I will be going to Greece for the first week of Easter vacation with my household. We just booked the hostels and ferry trips last night.
I will be going to Switzerland after my Summer exams with my sister!
I am thankful to have such delicious food for breakfast this morning. :)
I can't wait to go to Paris Disneyland this coming weekend!
I will be going to Greece for the first week of Easter vacation with my household. We just booked the hostels and ferry trips last night.
I will be going to Switzerland after my Summer exams with my sister!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Love me, spoil me
The Straits Times, Lifestyle, Feb 24, 2008 by Mak Mun San
A survey has found that Singapore women expect their dates to pay for meals, see them home and carry their handbags
CONFIDENT. Assertive. Practical. Not into mind games. That's what 21st-century Singaporean women are, right?
All efficiency in their smart suits, they have rolled up their sleeves and proven their mettle, earning good money as they show their savvy in the workplace, flood into top universities and make their point in politics.
But not when it comes to dating, it would seem.
Whether shopgirl or career gal, these Miss Independents turn into pampered princesses who expect the mere male of the species - as they view him - to be at their beck and call. Maybe...
That's according to a recent survey of 200 singles by the Social Development Service, which found that women's expectations of their male dates are more like they are going out with Prince Charming than a real, live man. Which girl doesn't want to go out with a romantic guy?
Get this: The survey found that they expect their men to pay for their dates, deposit them safely home afterwards, initiate celebrations and dress up on special occasions, meet them at least twice a week, open doors to cars and restaurants and - oh - some even expect guys to carry their handbags for them. Hmmm... I wouldn't want my boyfriend looking silly or even sissy carrying my neon pink handbag walking around on Orchard Road but I would greatly appreciate it if he were to help me carry my schoolbag loaded with heavy library texts and files.
Yes, handbags.
The survey didn't say if they were trendy It handbags that can be the size of a chunky briefcase.
But the image of a specimen of today's manhood clutching some huge neon pink, tasselled girl-bag as he stumbles alongside his hot date does seem a strange one.
Indeed, senior marketing and communications consultant Lu Minru, 36, says that such mindsets and expectations set the feminist movement back 50 years.
'Some women are hypocritical as they demand to be taken seriously and treated equally, but when it comes to dating etiquette, they expect their boyfriends to attend to their every need,' she says. Yes, I admit to this though it can be very frustrating and irritating to guys.
Someone who prefers what some would call a little old-fashioned courtesy is bank clerk Choy Yuanling, 31.
She dryly recalls one disastrous first date. After the meal, the guy she was with glanced at the bill and asked her: '$24 divide by two, how much, ah?'
Sure, his mathematics inability astonished her. But what she felt was worse was his stinginess.
She did hand her share over to her date, but tells LifeStyle: 'I'm fine with going dutch (sharing the bill), but not on the first date. I think it is basic courtesy that the guy should foot the bill.' Agreed...
And assistant human resource officer Eunice Ling, 32, says she expects men to do everything listed in the survey though she does draw the line at them carrying her handbag.
'If not, what's the point of having a boyfriend? I might as well hang out with my girlfriends,' she says.
For some men, already stressed with the practicalities of fighting bright, clever women at the workplace, it must seem bewildering.
And for others, it must simply seem out of touch with reality.
Mr Joseph Wong, 36, an account director at an advertising firm, declares that Singapore women are 'too pampered and demanding'.
'Some of them are a bit of a nightmare and expect too much from men,' he says.
'There should be give and take in a relationship. If they are always piling on the pressure on men to do this and do that, they'd just put them off.' Agreed...
Mr Wong, who is married with a baby daughter, adds that he has no problems with opening car doors and paying during dates.
'But if I am expected to do all that, then I feel it is a chore. It should come from my heart,' he says. This kind of man is hard to find!
Regional sales manager Andy Ow, 37, feels that some women just want to have their cake and eat it, too.
'Women set standards selectively,' he says. 'In certain areas, they want us to perform to their expectations. Yet at other times, they want to have their say. They are sending mixed signals and they confuse us sometimes.' Woman are confused people too.
But spoilt or not, luckily for demanding Singapore women, there are guys who prefer to play the gentleman.
Take civil servant Ben Chin, 27. He says he is more than willing to carry a woman's handbag to make her feel 'respected and loved'.
'Yes, women are more independent these days, but in their hearts, they just want to be loved even though they might not say it out loud,' he says.
Indeed, while the survey found that 80 per cent of women expect their boyfriends to pay during dates, interestingly, 92 per cent of men polled said they would pay.
Still, Dr Ilya Farber, 39, an assistant professor of social science and philosophy at Singapore Management University, says the attitudes revealed in the survey strike him as 'quite old-fashioned'.
Women lazy or what?
'If those are the most important items on most people's date checklists, then the human race is doomed,' he says, adding that the results seem to reflect the traditional image of women as fragile creatures who need to have everything done for them.
'This is rather disappointing, since getting rid of that image has historically been an important step in establishing equal opportunity for women - in education, in the workplace and in government.'
Some would argue that differences still exist between men and women, from physical make-up to earning power.
According to the Department of Statistics, average monthly earnings for men in 2006 were $4,081 compared to just $2,966 for women.
Etiquette and image consultant Teo Ser Lee, 42, feels that women who expect men to pay during dates and escort them home safely are not being archaic, but simply being real.
'These are basic social graces,' she says, adding that she expects her boyfriends to open car doors for her 'even though it is faster to open them myself'.
'I consider myself a modern woman. I'd fight for a contract, tooth and nail. But when it comes to relationships, I will take the submissive role and let the man wear the pants.'
The founder of dating agency Lunch Actually Violet Lim, 28, tells LifeStyle she has come across many female members who declined to go on a second date with a guy despite finding him witty and intelligent because he did not pay for her share.
'No matter how financially independent a woman is, ultimately, most would want to know that the guy is willing to provide for them should there be a need. Hence, seemingly small things like opening doors and paying during dates are tell-tale signs of their future to many women,' she says.
On the other hand, marketing consultant Ms Lu, whose husband is Australian, says that while they were dating as students in Melbourne, she insisted on going dutch, although he did pay for dinner sometimes.
'Both of us were equally in love and wanted to spend time to get to know each other, so I thought it was unfair that he foot all bills,' she says.
Still, whether a woman is all for dutch treats or else like the survey singletons and prefers date treats, some women LifeStyle spoke to nixed the idea of tote-toting guys.
Ms Sue Yeo, the 33-year-old owner of dating agency Drinks At Eight, says: 'Not only do the men look ridiculous, I absolutely do not see how doing this proves an act of love and concern. If women are too lazy to take care of their personal belongings, then don't carry a bag.'
Meanwhile, Ms Mika Fujii, 41, managing director of an advertising firm here, does not understand all the fuss.
'In Japan, many women of my generation don't expect men to do anything special for them. It's nice if he opens doors for me, but I'm physically capable of opening them myself. If he's very rich, he can settle the bill but I will be equally fine with going dutch.
'In fact, I wouldn't allow a man to send me home unless I already know him very well. What if he turns out to be a pervert?' she says.
A survey has found that Singapore women expect their dates to pay for meals, see them home and carry their handbags
CONFIDENT. Assertive. Practical. Not into mind games. That's what 21st-century Singaporean women are, right?
All efficiency in their smart suits, they have rolled up their sleeves and proven their mettle, earning good money as they show their savvy in the workplace, flood into top universities and make their point in politics.
But not when it comes to dating, it would seem.
Whether shopgirl or career gal, these Miss Independents turn into pampered princesses who expect the mere male of the species - as they view him - to be at their beck and call. Maybe...
That's according to a recent survey of 200 singles by the Social Development Service, which found that women's expectations of their male dates are more like they are going out with Prince Charming than a real, live man. Which girl doesn't want to go out with a romantic guy?
Get this: The survey found that they expect their men to pay for their dates, deposit them safely home afterwards, initiate celebrations and dress up on special occasions, meet them at least twice a week, open doors to cars and restaurants and - oh - some even expect guys to carry their handbags for them. Hmmm... I wouldn't want my boyfriend looking silly or even sissy carrying my neon pink handbag walking around on Orchard Road but I would greatly appreciate it if he were to help me carry my schoolbag loaded with heavy library texts and files.
Yes, handbags.
The survey didn't say if they were trendy It handbags that can be the size of a chunky briefcase.
But the image of a specimen of today's manhood clutching some huge neon pink, tasselled girl-bag as he stumbles alongside his hot date does seem a strange one.
Indeed, senior marketing and communications consultant Lu Minru, 36, says that such mindsets and expectations set the feminist movement back 50 years.
'Some women are hypocritical as they demand to be taken seriously and treated equally, but when it comes to dating etiquette, they expect their boyfriends to attend to their every need,' she says. Yes, I admit to this though it can be very frustrating and irritating to guys.
Someone who prefers what some would call a little old-fashioned courtesy is bank clerk Choy Yuanling, 31.
She dryly recalls one disastrous first date. After the meal, the guy she was with glanced at the bill and asked her: '$24 divide by two, how much, ah?'
Sure, his mathematics inability astonished her. But what she felt was worse was his stinginess.
She did hand her share over to her date, but tells LifeStyle: 'I'm fine with going dutch (sharing the bill), but not on the first date. I think it is basic courtesy that the guy should foot the bill.' Agreed...
And assistant human resource officer Eunice Ling, 32, says she expects men to do everything listed in the survey though she does draw the line at them carrying her handbag.
'If not, what's the point of having a boyfriend? I might as well hang out with my girlfriends,' she says.
For some men, already stressed with the practicalities of fighting bright, clever women at the workplace, it must seem bewildering.
And for others, it must simply seem out of touch with reality.
Mr Joseph Wong, 36, an account director at an advertising firm, declares that Singapore women are 'too pampered and demanding'.
'Some of them are a bit of a nightmare and expect too much from men,' he says.
'There should be give and take in a relationship. If they are always piling on the pressure on men to do this and do that, they'd just put them off.' Agreed...
Mr Wong, who is married with a baby daughter, adds that he has no problems with opening car doors and paying during dates.
'But if I am expected to do all that, then I feel it is a chore. It should come from my heart,' he says. This kind of man is hard to find!
Regional sales manager Andy Ow, 37, feels that some women just want to have their cake and eat it, too.
'Women set standards selectively,' he says. 'In certain areas, they want us to perform to their expectations. Yet at other times, they want to have their say. They are sending mixed signals and they confuse us sometimes.' Woman are confused people too.
But spoilt or not, luckily for demanding Singapore women, there are guys who prefer to play the gentleman.
Take civil servant Ben Chin, 27. He says he is more than willing to carry a woman's handbag to make her feel 'respected and loved'.
'Yes, women are more independent these days, but in their hearts, they just want to be loved even though they might not say it out loud,' he says.
Indeed, while the survey found that 80 per cent of women expect their boyfriends to pay during dates, interestingly, 92 per cent of men polled said they would pay.
Still, Dr Ilya Farber, 39, an assistant professor of social science and philosophy at Singapore Management University, says the attitudes revealed in the survey strike him as 'quite old-fashioned'.
Women lazy or what?
'If those are the most important items on most people's date checklists, then the human race is doomed,' he says, adding that the results seem to reflect the traditional image of women as fragile creatures who need to have everything done for them.
'This is rather disappointing, since getting rid of that image has historically been an important step in establishing equal opportunity for women - in education, in the workplace and in government.'
Some would argue that differences still exist between men and women, from physical make-up to earning power.
According to the Department of Statistics, average monthly earnings for men in 2006 were $4,081 compared to just $2,966 for women.
Etiquette and image consultant Teo Ser Lee, 42, feels that women who expect men to pay during dates and escort them home safely are not being archaic, but simply being real.
'These are basic social graces,' she says, adding that she expects her boyfriends to open car doors for her 'even though it is faster to open them myself'.
'I consider myself a modern woman. I'd fight for a contract, tooth and nail. But when it comes to relationships, I will take the submissive role and let the man wear the pants.'
The founder of dating agency Lunch Actually Violet Lim, 28, tells LifeStyle she has come across many female members who declined to go on a second date with a guy despite finding him witty and intelligent because he did not pay for her share.
'No matter how financially independent a woman is, ultimately, most would want to know that the guy is willing to provide for them should there be a need. Hence, seemingly small things like opening doors and paying during dates are tell-tale signs of their future to many women,' she says.
On the other hand, marketing consultant Ms Lu, whose husband is Australian, says that while they were dating as students in Melbourne, she insisted on going dutch, although he did pay for dinner sometimes.
'Both of us were equally in love and wanted to spend time to get to know each other, so I thought it was unfair that he foot all bills,' she says.
Still, whether a woman is all for dutch treats or else like the survey singletons and prefers date treats, some women LifeStyle spoke to nixed the idea of tote-toting guys.
Ms Sue Yeo, the 33-year-old owner of dating agency Drinks At Eight, says: 'Not only do the men look ridiculous, I absolutely do not see how doing this proves an act of love and concern. If women are too lazy to take care of their personal belongings, then don't carry a bag.'
Meanwhile, Ms Mika Fujii, 41, managing director of an advertising firm here, does not understand all the fuss.
'In Japan, many women of my generation don't expect men to do anything special for them. It's nice if he opens doors for me, but I'm physically capable of opening them myself. If he's very rich, he can settle the bill but I will be equally fine with going dutch.
'In fact, I wouldn't allow a man to send me home unless I already know him very well. What if he turns out to be a pervert?' she says.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Customer relationship opportunities
Some interesting learning points on marketing:
- The average business does not hear from 96% of its unhappy customers.
- Over 65% of those who do complain will not return to that business again.
- On average, customers with a complaint will tell 8 or 9 other people and 13% of customers with a complaint will tell 20+ other people.
However,
- 70% of complaining customers will be retained if the complaint is resolved.
- 95% of the complaining customers will be retained if the complaint is resolved quickly (consistent with the customer's definition of quickly).
- Customers who have their complaint satisfactory resolved, will tell, on average, 5 other people.
Is the S&P 500 currently overvalued or undervalued?
I found this very recent article dated 10 Feb 2008 regarding
DOES THE S&P 500 P/E RATIO AND INDEX VALUE REPRESENT A GOOD INVESTMENT AT THIS TIME?
Calling to my group members, please go and read this!
DOES THE S&P 500 P/E RATIO AND INDEX VALUE REPRESENT A GOOD INVESTMENT AT THIS TIME?
Calling to my group members, please go and read this!
Hot Coca Cola anyone?
Have you tried hot non-carbonated Coca Cola before? Well, I did today for the first time. To experiment the intrinsic taste of Coca Cola, I boiled a can of Coca Cola to remove all the dissolved carbon dioxide present in it.
Anyway, don't bother trying and wasting a good can of Coca Cola like I did. Hot non-carbonated Coca Cola tastes like, well, medicinal herbicide. It seriously tastes horrible. It's amazing how the fizz in Coca Cola can overpower the intrinsic taste of Coca Cola. Well done to Coca Cola!
Anyway, don't bother trying and wasting a good can of Coca Cola like I did. Hot non-carbonated Coca Cola tastes like, well, medicinal herbicide. It seriously tastes horrible. It's amazing how the fizz in Coca Cola can overpower the intrinsic taste of Coca Cola. Well done to Coca Cola!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Activation energy
It's the end of week again. There are so many things that I want to accomplish but the activation energy is overpowering. I want to have the strength to stand against all odds and declare war on my homework. Environmental engineering coursework is going to start after next week and I will not have time to do the homework that I want to do. Time is running out for me before Spring Term ends and I will be going to Paris Disneyland next weekend. I need some inspiration!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Last day of the lunar new year!
Today is 元宵节, also commonly and loosely known as 东方情人节. Guangfan and I are still stuck in college now as he couldn't find his tutor to hand in his project. Both of us are still empty-stomached. Help help...
敢敢作个用工人！
I am feeling a hundred times more refreshed after taking an afternoon nap! My purpose for today is to understand fluid mechanics and to be able to do the tutorial questions. I am thankful that I am clear of what I am doing.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Beautiful Tuesday
My purpose today is to complete at least 4 hours of motivated self-study. I am thankful to able to collect my new WHSmith book later!
Frank Morton's Day
Tomorrow is Frank Morton's Day, an annual major ChemEng sports day for universities all over UK. This means that normal lessons will be cancelled for students participating in the event in Leeds this year. However, I'm not going for Frank Morton's Day tomorrow (which also happens to be Tsze Han's birthday). It will be my FREE day! Well, not quite since I have finance lectures in the afternoon organised by the Tanaka Business Department. Damn...
Anyway, my purpose for today is to complete at least two hours of self-revision study. I am thankful that my beautiful roses are in full bloom!
Anyway, my purpose for today is to complete at least two hours of self-revision study. I am thankful that my beautiful roses are in full bloom!
Monday, February 18, 2008
First step
My purpose for today is to plan my time and to work effectively. I thankful to be able to enjoy a wonderful week-long break. It's time to start revising for my exams. I can do it!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Imperial College Arts Fest 2008
Video of Tap Dance, Crazy 'Bout My Baby during Imperial College Arts Fest 2008
Photos of the tap dance performance for Crazy 'Bout my Baby last night...
Photos of the tap dance performance for Crazy 'Bout my Baby last night...
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The celebration continues.... 农历新年初七：人日
Happy 人日everyone!
Chinese turned Japanese
Yusheng turned sushi
Sushi-cutter 
Sushi Master
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Energy, enthusiasm and empathy!
My purpose today is to maintain my discipline and to catch up on my sleep. I will only do activities that will significantly and positively impact my life now or in the future. Keep focused on the RIGHT things!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Auspicious CNY marble cake
It's my first attempt making a marble cake.. Hehe...
Look at the inside!
Pig.. Haha...Saturday, February 09, 2008
CNY Popiah Party
Gloating over my popiah
Bingwen making his popiah
Turnips, eggs, prawn, peanut, lettuce, cucumber
Fried popiah dessert... Guess what's inside... 
Chefs of the night
Strawberries and bananas!
Eddie, the deep fryer
Yum yum golden brown popiah dessertFriday, February 08, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Reunion dinner on CNY eve!
Special guests: Janey and Daryl
Daryl making salmon sushi
Eddie the sushi master
Food for steamboat
Abalone
Fried vercimilli
Real abalone from Singapore ok?
Wanton, fishballs, crabsticks, sotong rolls and prawns
Abalone "shark fin" soup
Eddie, Guangfan and IWednesday, February 06, 2008
Eve of Chinese New Year Eve
Fresh king prawns with shredded crabmeat and prawn mousse in scallop shell from Waitrose
Yummy....
Even it looks so delicious!Sunday, February 03, 2008
Chinese New Year Potluck Dinner at Wilson's Place
Instant Wii lover
Jungle Speed
Concentrate...
Everyone watching the Wii players
Happy MHA familyWinston, Liling, Evelyn, Jerald, Meiqi, Allan, Wilson, Mark, Zhengqiang, Linzi, Me, Hockboon
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