Merry 12 Days Christmas!

Merry Christmas~! A rainy morning and evening indeed,on the 24/12/08. It has been unusual to suddenly have a heavy rain in the morning,and then later in the evening. lol. But anyway, plans to go for dinner and pubbing with my friends are fixed.

Mad Jack Review:

Me and my team of 4 friends went to Mad Jack, an Australian Halal cafe at Selegie, Pomo Mall. Prior to this, i did not manage to book the seats because the "Crazy Chick" stuff told me there is not necessary for reservation,and for reservations of 10 ppl and above have been all booked. So we took chances in the evening anyway.

When we arrived around 8.20pm, all seats are occupied. But luckily, it took us about 5 minutes to be on the waiting list. Me and 1 of my friend, T.Y ordered each,a Rib-eye steak and i asked for Medium Rare for the both of us. The rest ordered Chicken chop, bake rice and grilled fish menu. Payment to be handed over to counter 1st, with GST exlusive. No service charge, however.(Because there's not much service,either). 10% discount for SCDF,SAF,SPF and Cisco staffs with valid card ID.

Rib-eye steak was less than the menu that i've expected, and thinner than i expected. I thought it looked like Chicken Chop at 1st. But after a clearer glance,it was a thin piece of steak,indeed.

What happened to me was that i discovered my medium rare steak was far less than medium rare.....it looked more like rare,when i tried to cut the steak with my knife. And when i put it into my mouth to bite, i had to puke it out to a serviette. This was because the medium rare steak i had was far less than medium rare,while my friend T.Y, his was properly done. So i had to call out to a Crew to re-cook it. And then it took about 5 mins,for my re-cooked steak to be served on my table. It was less than pleasant dining,but overall,i would say, it is okay, and it is deem possible for the next visit.

Rating : 7.5/10.

KTV Pub Review:

The next destination we went was 'Bonkers 56' KTV pub,recommended by another senior friend of mine. He was with his wife and a his wife's friend there. So me and 2 of my friends,L and W.L(while 2 left for their agenda after dinner) went to link up with my senior friend at Bonkers 56. As usual, the interior was built like what a normal ktv pub does, with no frescos and corning. Just plain ktv pub, dark inside, and with deafening musics. Perhaps it was a Christmas eve, so loud techno musics was played than having ktv songs available. Not much dancing from people though, most just sat and drank around, or play card games. China babes are seen around to entertain the clients, though no hanky panking was spotted. So it's just casual,and no tips was seen given. Overall, i would said it is no different from any other pubs. No real parking slots available,so most patrons will just park illegally along the 2 yellow lines pavement, until TP comes. Price for a tall tub of beer is $55.

Rating: 7/10.

Have a Wonderful Merry Christmas!

Class AMCD 0821A

Please take note of the class changes :


13/01/09 - PM Essay submission and "How we went about doing the project" both in burn into CD-rom, and no need to print out hard copy.


15/01/09 - PM presentation. Group 3,1,7,4 and 1 more group. (Those who present on the day will come)


19/01/09 - PM Presentation. Group 8,6,5,and 2. (Those who present on the day will come)


MMR Presentations will be on 16/01/09 and 21/01/09 both 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Updated on 08/01/09

Practical Self-defense system

Krav Maga(Contact Combat) is an Israel's defense force fighting system. It is one of the most practical and applicable defense tactic that all without martial arts background can learn and adopt. Not just men, but ladies are well suited to this defense system.



After all these years studying martial arts, my thinking has evolved from committing from an Art to practical defense techniques. I discovered that, all other martial arts can be used as a form of self defense, but in a limited way. Generally,if one was to intent to lift up his/her form of chosen art, he/she will have to learn and expose to other arts,and incorporate all their best techniques, to complete his/her own art call "the chosen art". It is up to oneself to create the love and understanding of the philosophy of one Art,by wearing the Gi,by keeping fit,giving respect and practising the patterns and going for grading. Practical or not, the one who train will just train,due to the sake of passion and commitment to the Art. As certain Arts has evolved to sports, training and then getting into tournament is a norm, just like army trains and goes in ATEC(Army training evaluation centre).

My studies tells me that to really prepare oneself for real life self defense, and if not to appreciate an Art, Krav Maga will be the most practical defense systems. As my research goes further,i've discovered that CKM, known as 'Commando Krav Maga', proves to be better and more devastating for hardcore self defender cum combat personnel. Nevertheless,i will be seeking this new defense system in my life,also to carry on with TKD(as promised my coach), and hang on in Karate(My 10 years roots).

So u want try MLM and Internet marketing?

Let's talk about this MLM(Multi-level marketing)and internet marketing. MLM was previously known as Pyramid marketing,and it was later banned,due to the unethical earning model. MLM companies have been in Singapore since years back and is still on the go.
Base on empirical studies,MLM's 1st priority is to recruit people to join them, and as their downlines goes further down, it escalates the upline's chances of monetary earning or accumulating points. When a downline joins the company as a member,part of the membership includes paying a fee to get the products(deemed as trials),while joining as a member. Depending on how much items or what package the downline buys,and base on each individual MLM's companies points/monetary system,the upline earns or accumulate their respective points/amount. Want to achieve a BMW? Car? You got to be the most toplined,or on your personal part, be the most charismatic to be able to recruit lots and lots of people to earn big money! MLM,can be deemed the simplest method of earning,yet,the hardest. Easy to say, if you can do your business marketing in whatever way possible and close the deal,u can do MLM. If you can recruit people on your own in anyway possible and make them join or sign up,u can do MLM. Be warned. MLM is not consider recognised work experience. And products selling through MLM can be a perceived scheme. What they want to achieve,is the recruitment,than getting consumers to buy the products. And wth price skimming, MLM companies are definitely charging their health products too high.

Internet marketing. Let's see. Internet marketing has many kinds. There are lots of programs spamming and circulating around online. One such program is Massive Cash generator. Base on empirical studies again, if you want to spend time and energy to find out how internet marketing works and comes to a fruitless ending and conclusion,then please do so by joining and pay for one of the internet marketing program online. Chances are this amount you pay will let you learn your lesson of not wasting your time. The only basic success to internet marketing is perhaps "Crapping". Why would i said so? The basic earning to Internet marketing is only by one simple thing,which is to close the deal by making people pay to ur URL ID via online. Yes,by being able to attract people to see your program or webpage(standard webpage,but with ur personal URL ID), and then convince them to pay online to see your good stuffs or 'Cash machine". Once you succeed in getting someone to pay through ur URL ID in the program, you earn an amount,as stipulated by the program(or cash machine). But is it so easy to convince people to pay through your URL ID? I doubt so. So what does those internet marketeers do? Crap,of course! One example an internet marketeer will advertise himself/herself by stating: "See how i earn 5k per month,just by working in my pyjamas.And you can do the same too,let me show you how!". Show you how?? These crappers are just out to fool you into thinking that internet marketing is a quick and easy scheme,and aroused your curiosity to check it out further, and finally after you have paid online, you will eventually give up what you thought is possible, or come to no good conclusion. Unless you are in the drive, you will do the same,by crapping and attracting the others to pay online through your URL ID,and then eventually those who had paid you will either come to no good conclusion of how to make the money, or follow the same way, to crap and attract the others to pay them via their URL ID. So this is how it goes,and goes and goes.Blah blah blah. So are you still interested in Internet marketing? U can try,but truly, i will ask you not to waste your time,or die trying. ;)

Now let's look at "Get paid to do surveys online,or home typing". This works when a company engages you to do surveys for them,and pays u via cheque,or through pay pal. For a small fee of $20 plus, you subscribe to their program,and what they will offer you in exchange is a list of database of companies,which they claimed to be the most current and up to date companies who will be seeking people to do surveys,and they will encourage you to register with as many companies as possible. Eventually my finding is, there are hardly companies which will approach you. If something is really that good, means the opportunity will be very low for the majority of people. So to say is, not everyone will get the chance. But by paying a small fee to the administrator of the database program, he/she earns big bucks accumulated from millions of people around the world paying the small amounts! So my suggestion is,don't waste your time to pay to get the database info,in the hope of companies seeking you to do surveys. Chances are, companies either will not engage u, will engage u with points systems rather than monetary remuneration, or companies will not be open to residents outside US or some, Canada. Even if it's point system,I would reckon it as redundant. What's the point of accumulating points when you cannot redeem outside your own country,or that the companie online you register for,has not describe in anywhere,how the points system work? There is not transparency down there. Even if points were able to accumulate for cash,then the points required for accumulations should be very very high.

MY encouragement is,have residual income, have multiple source of income. As a student,it is easy to get multiple source of incomes, buy joining more than 1 part time,and freelance jobs,and able to juggle the time and work well. Of course,earnings cannot be competed with a full time status worker,but multiple source of income is very useful,for a student. Get what i'm saying? Stay tune for next entry.

Mumbai's Terrorism.

In the news of Mumbai attack, my condolences to the Singapore lady Ms Lo Hwei Yen, a lawyer who was held captive at the Oberoi hotel. She was found dead by a security personnel and pronounced dead in the late evening yesterday, at our channel 8 evening news coverage. Supposedly she was to go over to Mumbai on a 1 day seminar trip held at Oberoi hotel when terrorism strikes close to 2am. Mumbai is like the New York of Indian. The terrorist faction seems to be targeting mostly US and British citizens, and to wreck havoc. The terrorist faction made up of young teens group who are seemed by one of the Indian Marine Commando's Commander as a highly trained group, which had planned and orchestrated their attacks well. "AKs are used, and only militants who are trained in this weapon can operate it well", he said.

The group claimed to be "Deccan Mujahedeen" claimed responsible. However,it was not known if this group is a real group or just a name created for this operation purpose to confuse or mislead the counter-terrorism investigators.

Indian Commandos were deployed rapidly to raid the buildings from the side entrance and Airforce Choppers repelled the rest to the roof tops, while security forces and the police are deployed on ground and sharpshooters at high ground to aid the commandos in the fire fight.

Eventually the Indian Commandos had taken down all terrorists,captured 1, cleared the building, securing and freed the rest of the hostages, while close to 300 injured, 195 dead and 15 security personnel dead.

Motivation and inspiration.

My Ex-Mentor, Merry Riana, from Prudential emailed me on my views of her creations of her Entrepreneur community/group. On the surface,im a person without much views and opinions, in writing, my thoughts can be better potrayed. My reply to her was:

'Hi Merry. It is a good idea of u to start an Entrepreneur group. The idea of ur group/community, i believe, is to serves as an inspiration and motivation to drive young people to success. My moral support to you. But personally for me,im not really an entrepreneur yet,as im still a student, and only graduating ard April next year. Practically, if u have ur requirements, such as minimum 10 ppl to start with, and hold once or twice per month, why not? Or what's ur idea?'

With that,i forgot to do a closing with once again congratulating her on her new born baby girl born on November 9. lol.
Though she was considerably, a motivator and mentor of mine, i was never in Prudential, although a couple of times,i had this idea of joining. Eventually i realised doing insurance and finance sales is not my cup of tea. So i have to forgo it.

Okay,so what are my cups of tea? That would be Events management, self-defence, uniforms related, business, sales and marketing related.

BDU Tactical Pants "wannabes" standing in for Economic downturn?

In the past, the economy was thriving. So you didn't care much about spending money on things you like,but nowadays during this economic downturn, we are all looking for something that gives us the greatest value for money. Durable and uniquly designed. But reasonably priced. What else can satisfy your high expectation other than a good but cheap black cargo pants that is durable enough to stand in for your BDU Tactical Pants?

In Singapore's context, a cheap over an expensive can be deem usable in normal modus of operandi on ground, such as security related like Crowd control, traffic control, or guarding. Even becoming a field training officer,Physical Training Instructor, or a self-defence instructor, a black cargo pants comfortable and baggy enough for use can be replaced as a BDU tactical pants. The only catch is that the loop for the belts may not be broad enough for the tactical belts, should the Operative needs. If not,under normal circumstances,it should be fine. Prices for a cheap "BDU wannabe" pants should be under $50, and the durability of pants should be able to withstand normal urban circumstances. The judgement is yours to decide on ur "BDU wannabe" cargo pants.

Overseas Memories.

I remember i 1st went to China and Hong Kong in 1990. Back then,i was just 6. And it was my late father,grandmother,grand aunts,a couple of relatives and i who travelled to this 2 countries. As some of my china relatives are in Fujian Provinces,we went over there to stay for awhile at the rural mountain area. Weather was really cold at then. As i was still small, i remember vaguely that there was always games to play, like firecrackers,small toys and sweets etc.

Once there was a group of young thugs around,just outside my relatives' home. This group includes boys and gals. Some hanged around the trees,a couple of them sat onto the tree branches,holding weapons like nunchaku and chains etc. I was a little afraid, as i could imagined the hostility of them. But after a while i came to realise that one of my lady relative knew them. Most of them are older than myself by some years. As i was just 6,most of them are older,from my point of view.

Eventually i discovered they meant no harm. Just gangsters of their own.

When my grandmother,grand aunts and relatives made their way back to Sg, my father and i travelled to Hong Kong,to visit my grand aunts' son,who resided there(Now he's back in Singapore). Hong Kong,to me, is an eating place. I remembered vividly that i love to eat the cockles,and asking my father to keep peeling lots and lots of cockles for me to eat. The eateries are damn rundown,but great tasting anyway.

Every night, at my uncle's home when i was hungry, he will offer me cakes. It seemed like he had alot of cakes at his fridge then. At his home's glass wall panel,i can view the highways criss crossed and watching vehicles and their lights driving and flashing pass. It was a beautiful side,at the cold weather.

When i recalled back all these now,its seems like fond memories to me. Too bad,my mother and younger sister did not get a chance to visit Hong Kong. Only years later,do they get to visit China, when we went there again.


Prior to their visit to China, we went to South Korea in 1991. The picture on the right shows me and my family in Seoul 1991.

Now let me recap back the countries which i've visited. Malaysia(JB,Malacca,and Genting),Indonesia(Batam,and Bintan),Thailand (BangKok,Pattaya,Kanchanaburi,Ratchanburi,and Siam), Hong Kong,China(Fujian Province,Anxi,Xiamen,Teo Chew Province, Beijing), South Korea, Australia(Brisbane and Gold coast), Brunei, and Taiwan ( Khao Siong and Heng Chun).

My next destination next year will be Myanmar(Yangon),for personal community purposes,representing my own organisation,to conduct self defense for the Monastery kids.

An instructor/close protection course in Israel.

A trip to Okinawa(Japan).

A trip to Dubai.

The Marina Barrage.

The Marina Barrage is Singapore's 15th reservoir, an MM Lee's vision almost 20 decade ago,came true. Situated at the heart of city,and near Marina Bay MRT.


Operation hours is all day long(24 hours).


Free shuttle bus from Marina Bay mrt to the Barrage at 15 mins interval(Weekends). Mon to fri 8.30am to 6.30pm. Sat/sun and public holiday 9.30am to 8.30pm.

Fishing and kayaking can be done there. However,there is no other food outlets except for a Cafeteria on the 2nd level,which is pretty expensive. A cup of freshly brewd coffee will cost $3,and a burger,$3.50. And parking lots are likely full.

Be prepared again as there are no other food outlets along Marina South road, as all the steamboat restaurants, centre, arcade and the field are all blocked for renovation or revamp purposes. Only at the Marina Barrage main carpark there is an Ice-cream van operating business, sold by a couple, with ice cream as cheap as $0.50 and with Red bull at the same price. Snacks like 'keropok' and other drinks are also available.


Traffic Tips:

On weekends, parking lots are usually full, or highly in demand at the Barrage's main car park. If you drive,please follow the "Marina Barrage" sign along the road,and when you see a Traffic Security Personnel directing you to turn in to your left with lots of lorries around, this is the alternative parking with ample lots that you should comply,because that means the parking at the Barrage is full. Do not waste your time,turn out of the ample space carpark,or look for a Barrage sign,or turn out of the road,and then turn left along the road to the Barrage main carpark, for only if you are lucky,you may get your 1 lot at the Barrage. If not, it will be congested,and you may have a alittle hard time turning out. The alternate car park is carpark B.

So again,when you drive along the road, see a car park with alot of lorries parking on the side,or turning in, do turn in,and park your vehicle at the ample lots.This is car park B. There is an opening/gap near the construction fence for you to walk through,leading to the Marina Barrage behind.

Thank you.


For more general info of the Marina Barrage, pls go to http://www.pub.gov.sg/Marina/Pages/default.aspx

Minds & hearts.

Have you wonder why at many situations with many people around, would u have a kind of nervous feeling? Is it sort of psychic attack,or just from the matter of hearts? Or is it sort of stage fright? Or is it the perceived conditioned feeling of inferiority complext among others? So is it Spiritual,or psychology?
Anyway, we got to live life as it is, even if this thing does happen,we got to live on with it,overcome it.

I remembered reading from a book this short sentence "feel the moment" and find it quite useful. Whenever there might be an unknown wierd,awkard or nervous feeling attacking within you, you can just try to defend yourself by quickly forgetting all this fears and "feel the moment"....cos at this moment of where is are standing,sitting or walking, is the direct reality,and you should feel it "now". So "feel the moment". However this is for temporary relieve. :)

We cannot remove and change certain things,but we can improve. Like our looks,we can enhance or improve them,but we cannot change them totally,unless in a costly manner(plastic surgery). So our character, or trait is like our looks,not able to change completely. However,we can improve. Only through certain long period of harsh and hard time,or things happened through our life that can affect us greatly or drastically, that we are able to go through this transition, and maybe through conditioning,self-study,meditating,training or new found will that we can go through the transition.

As a Karate man since 1997, it has taught me the strict manner of respect, discipline , humility and calmness. The longer you train in one martial art, the higher the peace and patience of not having a fight with people, are attained in you. Those who keep on seeking people to fight are likely amateurs who just started any form of martial arts and like to challenge people through any chances of aggression. These are usually younger guys who tend to not grow out of their immaturity yet. However,i believe they will grow out of it.

During the time when i trained 108 yang style Tai Chi at Ubi CC, i discovered that Tai Chi requires skills of memory,to link the steps together to become 108 style. Tai Chi,in the form of training is slow,however when applying to a fight,the reflexes will become greatly fast.

Mas Oyama,founder of Kyokushinkan karate once challenged an old frail master,who mastered the gentle art of Tai Chi,and eventually, Oyama conceded, after a duel with him. After that,he seeked the master's enlightenment and learn from him a great deal of lessons. Otherwise, apart from that, Oyama is a great karate master who had broke over 1000's bull's horn and killed 3 immediately with his Ikken- Hitsatsu (One punch - death blow).

The only thing i am still wondering was, did Mas Oyama not heard of Bruce Lee,or did Bruce Lee not heard of Mas Oyama? Although Oyama was 17 years Bruce Lee's senior, at the age of 20 or 21,Bruce Lee had already been seeking challenges. So had he not a chance to be heard by Oyama,though Oyama's 30 plus of age by then, and Bruce Lee's 20 or 21? Hmm....Perhaps they never had any chance to meet. If not,i would really love to see how the fight goes. Oyama,is known to have his steel strikes and blocks. If he punches your ribs, your ribs breaks. You block his punch, your hand breaks. He blocks your punch,your hand breaks too. Just don't let him touches you. Bruce Lee, on the other hand, has Super human Stamina,and no cholestrol in his body,runs 10km everyday during his work and study life. With that,this give him great deal of fitness,stamina and advantages to keep on a fight and win. Plus the combination of kung fu analysis and study of philosophies in his university time, that made up Jeet Kune Do. Oyama might need to keep up with Bruce Lee's Stamina and speed,should they fight. But Bruce Lee must never let Oyama deliver a punch or blow,or make it twice.