healthy snacks are elusive

Went to the supermarket for food for the office. Walking through the isles, I realised that most of the snacks are really unhealthy! Chips, biscuits, candy... Lots of processed foods!!! So I settled on nuts and dried fruit. Really proud that I didn't take any chocolate! Took a variety of those and it cost me $44 altogether. Ouch. Healthy food isn't cheap either.

Rant

Busy 2 weeks ahead! Somehow, all the meetings got scheduled in these 2 weeks! And it doesn't help that Friday is the beginning of the month when I have to write, compile, analyze and submit tons of reports! It's in these days when I miss having people under me. Can assign things out... sigh... Miss my old job. Miss having a room to myself. Miss having a sofa in my room. Miss having my guys pick up my calls and taking my messages when I'm away, typing my long e-mails, running my errands, ferrying me to meetings, keeping track of my appointments... - almost like having a secretary. It's now Joshua - One Man Show!

A wake up call!

I was introducted to mapmyrun.com and I discovered something horrible. I have been grossly overestimating the distance I run for my normal route!! I always thought it was about 9km. But it turned out to be only 8km! Argh... I must work harder for the marathon! More running, less chili crab....

An issue close to my heart

In a full page feature, on today's Straits Times, are articles about Spring Singapore chairman Philip Yeo. It's almost as if Spring Singapore took out a full page advertisement on the national newspaper to share Philip Yeo's views on the economy, the work force and of course the infamous bond breaking public sector scholarship holders!

He does have some interesting points:

1. He foresees a leakage of engineers into other industries cos engineers are highly prized for their 'skills of logical thinking and analysis' which can be applied to any field. As an engineer, I somewhat agree - my engineering friends cannot see the logic behind investing in a Prada bag. I mean, it's for life! But Philip Yeo did say that the exodus to the finance industry is because Engineers are grossly underpaid compared to their counterparts in a bank. That I totally agree. He sited Germany as an example, where Engineers are valued, and it shows in the products that come out of Germany- see Mercedes Benz.

2. He also confessed to be a 'closet socialist', rather giving A*Star scholarships to a poor student vs a rich student (all else being equal) coz he feels that poor students are hungrier for success and more likely to stay the course. Apparently, poor people have 'the perseverance and tenacity in life' - I'm sure that's how they made it poor in life. He'll be in such deep shit if boy was used in place of poor and girl was used in place of rich.

3. Then there is the issue of some A*Star scholar Philip Yeo shamed publicly by labeling as a 'bond breaker' when he broke his scholarship bond. Yes, the scholar's attitude was bad. His e-mailed reason for breaking the bond was 'I see my role in life to serve the world and not Singapore alone'. I empathise Philip Yeo's anger. If my guys said that to me, I'll be so pissed at his ungratefulness, rudeness and arrogance! But sometimes, a young 18 year old does not know what he wants in life at 18. Plus, in today's culture and generation, where Me comes first, his scholar's statements are - well - a reflection of the society that brought him up. This one, I sit one the fence. Is my lack of opinion a sign of weakness?

This full page feature, at one glance, seems to be a self promotion, self justifying attempt by a chairman of a statutory board. (I seriously thought it was a paid advertisement on the newspapers) But it's an interesting commentary of the workforce in Singapore. One that is increasingly relevant to me.

kao bey about my brother

Who wears Zara pants to play soccer with primary school kids? My Brother! And in the process, ripped a big big hole in the crotch area. Wah piang... That's $115 pants! Bought by me! Borrowed without my permission! Ruined by him!!!! (hmm... maybe cannot use the borrow without permission argument coz I also borrow his things without permission) Still, if I borrow, things go back to their owner as good as new!

Planning to sign up for motorbike lessons. Going to buy me a cute Vespa, in a butch colour of coz, when I pass! And one of those cool motorcycle helmets that has goggles too! Ah ha.. after I get my license, I will start to borrow his motorbikes!

New Short Term Goal

Call it a one-third life crisis. Today I signed up for the Standard Chartered Marathon! People asked me why. I say, it's my Everest. 42.195km, 26.22miles, many hours of training, hopefully a sexier body after.

But one thing that vexed me is that the collection of the race entry pack is at Singapore Expo! It's so bloody far from where I stay! Can't they just have the option of mailing the entry pack to my home? I'll gladly pay a fee for that service. Going down to Expo will take up so much of my time...

Oh... now I need new exercise clothes and shoes.. Must look good on race day. Coz there's a clause that participants must agree to that goes something like - Race organisers have the right to take pictures of the participants when they are running and publish it for promotional purposes!! What if my picture is taken?? Must learn the art of looking good while dead tired after running a marathon. And I think having a nice running clothes and shoes helps.

Bad Josh

tsk tsk... feeling guilty, home so early on a working day.

Anyway, as you can see, the-cute-kid-in-my-blog has problems pronouncing some words. Gotta work in his articulation.

right outside my door

It's in today's papers. There'll be a train station right outside my parents house! Hillview station! Woo hoo! Now, I gotta convince them not to sell the house. Give it to Joshua, give it to Joshua....

Still, I believe that we have a long way to go before the rail network is as extensive as those in London, Paris and New York. Nonetheless, it's an improvement!

Next thing, convince my MP to build a sports complex on the patch of empty space along Petir Road. Real estate prices will shoot up!

Note to self - Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, meets the residents every Monday at Blk 545 Bukit Panjang Ring Road. Must go meet him.

Singular Sensation

Yay! Think I have one person who follows my blog. Thank you good old Vince'! The Cbox was just for you! :P

This week is going to be tough. Got so many meetings to attend - with presentations to prepare for the meetings. And using OO is NOT helping me do things any faster. Not like bert who can sit in his office and MSN the whole day!

Oh... I'm going to be on parade. Mental note to self: slather on sunblock to avoid betting weird tan lines on the face. Bring on the SPF!

Happy Birthday Thaddaues!

In a few blinks of the eye, Thanddaeus has turned 3!

We went to the botanic gardens to celebrate his birthday.. Doesn't he look cute in his Polo Ralph Lauren polo tee? My present from USA for him!!

Happy July Birthdays!

Enjoy my present to you, my dearest lady friends - air brushed complexion!

No more moles & scars. I'm still pretty new at it. and exploring the various functions. No more dark eye circles for next year's present?

Eek!

The other day, I was at the beach in Sentosa and I saw the most eye-gorging, obscene and rudest thing. A group of people came to the beach, stripped down to their, get this, underwear, and started playing vollyball! Eww... It's really something that I wished I had not seen.

Every time they ran or jumped for the ball, it seems as if bits that I REALLY do not want to see might just pop out in full view of the public. Now, if only the beach police can arrest them for scarring my eyes...

Stagflation!

When the Straits Times comes out with articles like "101 ways to save money" and "Best meals for under $2.50", something must be wrong with the economy.