Better tomorrows
Friday, June 29th, 2007 at
1:28 am
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Archive for June, 2007
Survivor Cook Islands
Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 at
8:04 pm
Do you want to know what you’re reading for?
Easily paraphase by every challenge in which Jeff utters, “Do you want to know what you’re playing for?” A resounding, “YES!” strikes along the shores.
That’s Survivor. I remember earlier moments watching earlier seasons in Oz. The last few nights I kinda relived that Ol’oz times, running through the entire series of Survivor Cook Islands
I thoroughly enjoyed this season especially with the different ethnic groups setting the stage. As predicted the loud Americans are always in the scene who think they control the world, the charming mexicans, my favourite Asian-Americans (I love the Koreans here!) and we have the Hispanics as well.
I think I want to get right down to it and be it all, the 3 characters in which I’ll mention will sum up most of my thoughts on Survivor and parallel thoughts about it.
First off, Yul Kwon.
This guy is amazing, a brilliant strategist I must say. He played the game so darn well its unimaginable, he has made so many possible opportunites for himself and covered his bases really well through deflection, manipulation because he had the upper hand; in this case, he had that immunity idol which granted him immunity in the last 4. Instead of playing it for himself, he used the potential of that power to turn around the game. He quotes:-
“The immunity idol is a gun with one bullet. If I used it that way, it wasn’t really useful. The power is in the potential to use it,” Yul says. “When I found the idol, I wanted to save it to change the flow of the game.” Read more here
Time and time again, I have seen him in position being as a major threat and even termed as the ‘Godfather’ or the ‘puppet master’; he basically could make things happen only because he had the upper hand and in most cases, he worked for it and succeeded at it.
I was surely impressed with his level of thinking and thought processes throughout the game. I was actually very interested in his background because from my personal observation, I was anchoring some ideas about him. And I was right.
Yul Kwon was born in Queens, New York to parents who emigrated from South Korea. The family moved to the West Coast when he was six years old and he was raised in Concord, California. He attended high school at Northgate High in Walnut Creek, California, where he played varsity water polo and track and graduated valedictorian. Kwon then attended Stanford University and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in symbolic systems (theoretical computer science). While at Stanford, he received the James Lyons Award for Service, attended officer candidates school for the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Kwon went on to receive his Juris Doctor Degree from Yale Law School, where he served on the editorial board of the Yale Law Journal.
Exclusive interview of Yul’s thoughts here
I could only perform that search after watching the final episode last night. This is my take on the issue of education, I know i’ll be disgressing a little but oh well. Recently a highschool reunion was gathered and we probably had only 1/5 of the entire year that came, nonetheless it was quite enjoyable time. The basic takeout of the night was that, we all did quite well for ourselves despite the fact that we lousy teachers. Teachers that were not qualified to hold the subject taking at that point in time. And many of us agreed, I think we had more exposure and learning through our own journeys than otherwise. Sadly, we don’t even remember much of our teachers other than the hell they gave us and the more hell we gave them.
I hold this true, the rubbish that we were doing at schools and the activities that we were participating at, I shudder to think at the state of my school now being highly well, I can’t mention it here but if you’re Malaysian enough, youl’l know what I mean. Also, the young age is the most important age to develop growth and time exposure, and I regret with some of the placements taken at schools. Anyway, this can be whole topic on its own. In all, I believe that sound education and environment exposure is imperative in shaping a person and I also hold that time shouldn’t be the only factor involved because many times, it’s the choices that we make that makes the difference. In that way, I am glad that I make some strategic choices in my life through better judgment.
“Ozzy was the best hedge to deflect attention away from me. I had been targeted to get out, but he was my insurance,” Yul says.
That’s Ozzy for you. The biggest threat to Yul and an extremely strong competitor but just from different school of thoughts. Ozzy is like jungle boy, a person in his comfortable element when it comes to Survivor challenge winning a string of challenges and immunity. He is definitely a strong player when it comes to endurance, physical, and having a knack to persevere to the very end in terms of stability and conscious focus on the immediate task.
He can dive to 30 feet and can hold his breath under water for three minutes. He is skilled at building traps, forts, shelter and surviving in the wilderness on his own. That has proved to be very very useful for him during the many days at Survivor. To really see his feature I would recommend you to watch the series. It’s amazing how fast he swims and moves, he usually the idea of strength and balance very well, and also applying the usage of natural and gravitation forces in spring board event or playing around with body positions to get a good ‘feel’ in anchoring stability.
When he spoke about his family background and also current position that he was in, it would have been nice if he had won the 1 million dollars. It seemed to me that Ozzy probably needs it more than Yul. But again, being both minorities in America, I think in their own rights, the money is needed to be poured out to their families to who first chose to emigrate so that they may have a better life.
I love the underdogs, and the fact that the underdogs were in the FINAL 3, and won just shows that we represent aight!
And now, for the last character, Candice. Ooh. I did not like her. Especially during the time of mutiny where she left her tribe and went back to the former. That was plain low. Really low. You never abandon camp, never. For whatever reasons and her more visible reponse towards Adam in this way, that I want to be with my guy, my ‘genuine’ guy was quite rubbish. I particularly thought she was very arrogant and spoilt throughout the game and believed that everything should be served to her on a silver platter. I am glad that she got sent to Exile Island 4 times actually, so that she realizes the full weight of her actions. Grr. The Americans, what’s new with them I say. Usually nothing. But time and time again, I would see it in at least one or two of them where they think they are the driving force and believed that they are the deserved winners. Come on. The eye jerking and faces that they were throwing at one another during jury and tribal council, I wished…she would have gotten a 2 week stay at Exile Island honestly!
A stranding news
Sunday, June 24th, 2007 at
11:18 pm
I’m offcially balding.
b-a-l-d-i-n-g.
Relocation: in search for new batteries
Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 at
10:45 am
Coming 1st July marks a year at Sara Lee. What better way to reflect it than spending a night over at our new office (yes, we’re moving!). Check it out at www.jaya33.com -> entirely fitting to Sara Lee colours too; red & white.
I took a graveyard shift on Friday night, starting from 11pm. I packed. My sleeping bag, my pillow, took a radio and a stack of CDs, a new bible loaned to me by Aunt YK; but alas, not all were used. Some were even unopened.
It was a long and tiring night. We move fast, I tell ya! Real fast. We started at 1pm on Friday afternoon and we were done by 5:30am! Those guys could move stuff I tell you; was wondering whether they were looters or robbers back in India because they could make things go.
I had good fun with them, all 14 of the Indian boys. I could only say 2 words in tamil – ‘nan-de-ri’ i.e. thank you and ‘Rajinikanth’ which is famous actor in Southern India. At least that brought smiles and laughter as they carried and I was coordinating the move with another colleague.
During our rest breaks, we dwelve into conversations; a perfect chance to get to know one another. He asked about my bible and faith, and we spoke about feng shui as the new office had some elements of it. Touching on issues of marriage and children, as he is married and my status view on it being well, very much far from it. Though, I had wish he could be with his wife and let the single man stay here instead. But a good guy he is.
Come Monday, I start my second year at Sara Lee at a fresh new place. New goals, new visions and new priorities for myself. I am excited.
Oh, I slept the whole day since the morning. I was too tired to budge. Miss the gym, badminton. Managed to cath The Invitation at Segi College, a drama by SJGC folks. I liked it. Especially the Heart Drama. I miss the stars and tape on wooden floors, I miss the anxiety on stage and overwhelmingness of God’s goodness after and to see it on their faces. Killing two birds with one stone was ideal as I met Uncle Steven too, great person and yes, we have to do some duck soon and catch up.
My mouse is out of batteries, need to replace them. I need some new ones for myself too.
A relocation.
A set of batteries.
Just the remedy for my tiredness.
Water retention
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at
12:40 am
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and heards?”
Jesus answered. “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Yahoo!(?)
Monday, June 18th, 2007 at
5:09 am
This is the first Monday ever that I left for work in the morning and returned home without even stepping into the office.
Regional meeting in Pusat D’sara. I find it most difficult trying to engagingly listen and paying attention to one of the most interesting Indian accent yet. I try. By that time, it was lunch.
After lunch, another rush drive over to Tropicana to meet up with Yahoo Singapore who was down to do a presentation on Online Marketing. Also, touching on online trends and consumer trends categorizing them into Online tribes. Very interesting. That was quite a good session for me.
And all this leads me to?
Potentially 4 new folders of reports to read. I already have 2 that I am going through. Purely research material. Some more interesting than others, one is particularly dry where seasoning of salt and pepper just won’t cut it.
Dinner in 15 minutes, I have to move again. Time passes rea-l quickly nowadays. Thought I should still remind myself, there’s more yahoo in life then just the heavy routine that beckons.
Badminton has been madness. I have not felt so sore in a long time. Fatigue is word I rarely used. Last weekend was one. Fitness test puts me on my toes, down on my knees after. With all that pain, I like it. I feel like I’m steamrolling to something better.
Yahoo!!
Artline 2.0 meets
Thursday, June 7th, 2007 at
8:13 pm
Expression dilemma
Papyrus jotting
Responsive me
Soothing silence
Assuring whisper
Scribbles of blue
Gentle bubbles
: The ever beauty yet so easily, easily forgotten of journal writing ~ ee
you know what keeps me…
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 at
2:31 am
my emotional temperament was greatly reduced when I kept busy, I kept working, kept doing and doing. basically, kept my mind off things. And that helps.
No wonder, I love carrying things, I like moving around and being mobile. No wonder I like my gym, my badminton and my exercises. No wonder I like conquering the hill. No wonder I like cleaning up my room, and keeping things in order. No wonder I don’t mind doing housework – washing dishes, scrubbing toilet floors and mopping the floor. Because I like to see something heavy become light. It’s like working off the emotional wind in my mind.
I just had to keep busy and before I knew it, it was gone.
So the next time you see me eating lots or carrying a lot of things but talking to myself, then you know I’m chanting my mantra of keeping busy for sanity sake. And to my future wife, just piss me off enough and you’ll see me do housework for a month.
There goes another strand of hair. sigh.
The bridge is burnt
Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 at
12:13 pm
A month of quiet rest
was tarnished in ten minutes
An exchange of breathing voice
Led to a further divorce
Your insensitive force
Makes me only enforce
My believable cause
From your unbelievable source
That trigger me
It triggers my emotions
Jogs my memory
I hate that feeling
I hate the unknown
Its over.
The bridge is burnt.
Never will I turn back
I will only look forward
Not even around
Because I want to get back on track
To forgive is a struggle
For all that has wiggle
It takes a lot out of me
Never me, only Him
Can restore that bitter coated page.
For all that has wiggle
It takes a lot out of me
Never me, only Him
Can restore that bitter coated page.
I lay my requests in prayer
That I may not become the slayer
There are just too many layers
To be a mayor or payer
Its over.
The bridge is burnt.
Guard the heart
Fill it with the word
Put on your armour
Stay alert, I tell me
And I have chosen that option
The bridge is burnt.
Guard the heart
Fill it with the word
Put on your armour
Stay alert, I tell me
My flesh and heart fail
God is my strength now
And I have chosen that option
Its over.
The bridge is burnt.
: May He restore me. May He restore you. Until then…
:: Psalm 73: 26
:::Proverbs 4: 23
Firm landing
Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 at
2:00 am
someone once said that I’m a very stern and hard man. It is said that it could be hereditary. maybe it is instill in me.
but i think in certain cases, this behaviour is appropriate to protect and defend my believable cause.
I just don’t entertain rubbish anymore. And I won’t stand around for insults either.
And what is gone, is gone. it’s pointless chasing after.
I land firmly, and firmly landing to the next destination.