Jason Mraz
Life is Wonderful
It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what i'm saying
It takes a thought to make a word
And it take some words to make an action
It takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction
La la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la
It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
It takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other
It takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
It takes some fears to make you trust
It takes some tears to make it rust
It takes some dust to make it polished
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la it is so....
It takes some silence to make sound
It takes some loss before you found it
It takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to make you care
It takes a hole to make a mountain
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la it is so wonderful
It is so meaningful
It is so wonderful
It is meaningful
It is wonderful
It is meaningful
It goes full circle
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
I want to blog. But I have no idea on what to write abt.
I do have "joy" that I want to spread. But that'll have to wait till I get the photos I've been taking over the past few days :))
Graduation, dinner with Cheng and the rest, birthday celebration for the May babies in the office..
However! I must say that I miss sch loads :(
I miss the slping in, the aftnn naps, the huge amt of time spent with friends, the food at the canteen (!), the lecturers, the loong semestral breaks.. I miss school! Feel like going back to studying :/
I'm going to try scrapping soon! My first project will be on my OSIP days in Shanghai. Good topic? :D It's gonna use up a lot of my funds; but it'll be so fun!
I do have "joy" that I want to spread. But that'll have to wait till I get the photos I've been taking over the past few days :))
Graduation, dinner with Cheng and the rest, birthday celebration for the May babies in the office..
However! I must say that I miss sch loads :(
I miss the slping in, the aftnn naps, the huge amt of time spent with friends, the food at the canteen (!), the lecturers, the loong semestral breaks.. I miss school! Feel like going back to studying :/
I'm going to try scrapping soon! My first project will be on my OSIP days in Shanghai. Good topic? :D It's gonna use up a lot of my funds; but it'll be so fun!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
I'm quite apprehensive about putting this test up as I'm scared all my friends will fail the test. :D
Must do well k!!
Create your own Friend Test here
Must do well k!!
Create your own Friend Test here
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Boat Asia 2007
Oks! Photos!
The cutest boy!
The cutest boy!
Nice nice pictures of Sentosa Cove and the event!
The registration counter..
My favouritest exhibitor. He entertained Afiqah and I for all four days with his jokes. :)
My favouritest boat!
Afiqah and I at Simpson Marine's party..
More pictures to come in future entries :D
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar . Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained ...your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee%2A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar . Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained ...your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
**When things in your life seem almost too much too handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
It seems that there are a number of professors going around teaching their students life lessons dueing lectures. :D
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar . Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained ...your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee%2A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar . Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained ...your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
**When things in your life seem almost too much too handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
It seems that there are a number of professors going around teaching their students life lessons dueing lectures. :D
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Singapore wows Vancouver vistitor
Posted On: 30/4/2007
Singapore wows Vancouver visitor
By Michael Geller (The Straits Times, Review Section, Friday 27 April 2007)
IN THE early 1970s, I worked with British architects and planners at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp in Ottawa, helping to design public housing projects across Canada. In the evenings, I 'moonlighted'. My after-hours job was a residential high-rise along the Rideau Canal.
The developer was Mr William Teron, who would go on to become president and chairman of the national housing agency. At a public meeting, one of the neighbours opposed the development on the grounds that it would block her view of the Parliament Buildings. 'Furthermore,' she said, 'the building is just for rich people.' I will always remember Mr Teron's reply. 'Well, the rich have to live somewhere too, you know!'
I thought of this when I arrived in Singapore. Here, the British tradition of public housing has continued in a significant way; here, a large percentage of the population resides in housing developed by the government, many of them in homes they own.
Both renters and owners take great pride in their homes, most of which are in large high-rise blocks. In fact, each year the government has a competition to determine who lives in the cleanest public housing estate in the city. A prize is given to the winning residents.
This got me thinking. Perhaps the British Columbia Housing Management Commission should consider a similar competition in B.C. My hope would be that Vancouver's public housing residents would start taking a similar sense of pride in their buildings. I am confident that the savings in maintenance and repairs costs would more than offset the cost of prizes!
Sense of pride is very evident around Singapore. While we often hear people ridicule the country for its public prohibitions - no chewing gum, no spitting, no littering - Singapore has to be the cleanest country in the world.
During my stay, I did not see any litter on the streets, despite the daily handout of flyers and the presence of numerous fast-food outlets. There is no graffiti; the streets are beautifully landscaped and maintained.
Singapore is also one of the safest cities in the world. I believe there is a connection. To fully understand life in Singapore, one has to know what goes on behind the scenes.
I was fortunate in having Warren and Rilla Buckley show me around. This is the same Warren Buckley who helped make the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre an international success in the 1990s. For the past seven years, he has been CEO of Singapore's privately owned Suntec Convention Centre.
As we drove around the city, past the magnificent new concert hall and sold-out new-home projects, Warren spoke about traffic management and the sense of order on the streets. In an effort to reduce congestion, some cars have red licence plates and can only be used on weekends. Cars have a box on the dashboard that calculates tolls for using downtown roads at peak hours. There are lanes designated for public buses only at peak hours.
Although there is a high degree of government control, Singapore is not a 'dead' city. It is very vibrant and active 24/7. Its residents are obsessed with eating and shopping. Every street feels like Robson Street on a Friday night! This is partly due to the government's efforts to encourage people to live close to where they work. Major new mixed-use communities are being planned adjacent to the downtown on lands being reclaimed from the sea.
Singapore is an incubator for new urban ideas. Many taxis are fitted with speed monitors. If a driver exceeds the limit, a sound goes off in the car, and a light flashes on the roof. Most transit riders have an easy-to-use pre-paid plastic card. It calculates fares based on the distance travelled, and can be topped up as required.
When I first arrived in Singapore, Warren suggested that I visit the Urban Redevelopment Authority's City Gallery. It contains scale models and other displays to allow visitors to see what has been built and what is planned for the future.
While I was there, school children were enjoying interactive displays on storm-water management, park-space planning and other urban concepts. I started to chat to one well-dressed man examining a portion of the model with great interest. It turned out he was a real-estate investor, curious to see what was planned for a site near one he owned.
Many years ago, Mr Ray Spaxman and a group of civilly minded Vancouver urbanists had visions of a similar centre for the city. They called it The Urbanarium. Having now visited Singapore's centre, and an even more impressive facility in Shanghai, I think now is the time for Vancouver's real estate community, public and private sectors to sponsor something similar in Vancouver. It could be a venue for Lighting The City, an exhibition currently on display in Singapore's centre. It offers creative ideas to improve night lighting around the city.
While we are all increasingly conscious of the need to conserve energy, I particularly look forward to the proposal for 'shimmering floating lights along the river, to bring out the sense of water'. I can visualise a similar proposal for portions of False Creek or English Bay.
Perhaps we might also implement the red licence plates, plastic transit cards, and taxis with flashing lights! Now, as for the ban on chewing gum and littering...
(The writer is a Vancouver architect, planner and property developer. This article first appeared in the April 14 issue of The Vancouver Sun).
_________________________________________________________
Why are Singaporeans still complaining?
Posted On: 30/4/2007
Singapore wows Vancouver visitor
By Michael Geller (The Straits Times, Review Section, Friday 27 April 2007)
IN THE early 1970s, I worked with British architects and planners at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp in Ottawa, helping to design public housing projects across Canada. In the evenings, I 'moonlighted'. My after-hours job was a residential high-rise along the Rideau Canal.
The developer was Mr William Teron, who would go on to become president and chairman of the national housing agency. At a public meeting, one of the neighbours opposed the development on the grounds that it would block her view of the Parliament Buildings. 'Furthermore,' she said, 'the building is just for rich people.' I will always remember Mr Teron's reply. 'Well, the rich have to live somewhere too, you know!'
I thought of this when I arrived in Singapore. Here, the British tradition of public housing has continued in a significant way; here, a large percentage of the population resides in housing developed by the government, many of them in homes they own.
Both renters and owners take great pride in their homes, most of which are in large high-rise blocks. In fact, each year the government has a competition to determine who lives in the cleanest public housing estate in the city. A prize is given to the winning residents.
This got me thinking. Perhaps the British Columbia Housing Management Commission should consider a similar competition in B.C. My hope would be that Vancouver's public housing residents would start taking a similar sense of pride in their buildings. I am confident that the savings in maintenance and repairs costs would more than offset the cost of prizes!
Sense of pride is very evident around Singapore. While we often hear people ridicule the country for its public prohibitions - no chewing gum, no spitting, no littering - Singapore has to be the cleanest country in the world.
During my stay, I did not see any litter on the streets, despite the daily handout of flyers and the presence of numerous fast-food outlets. There is no graffiti; the streets are beautifully landscaped and maintained.
Singapore is also one of the safest cities in the world. I believe there is a connection. To fully understand life in Singapore, one has to know what goes on behind the scenes.
I was fortunate in having Warren and Rilla Buckley show me around. This is the same Warren Buckley who helped make the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre an international success in the 1990s. For the past seven years, he has been CEO of Singapore's privately owned Suntec Convention Centre.
As we drove around the city, past the magnificent new concert hall and sold-out new-home projects, Warren spoke about traffic management and the sense of order on the streets. In an effort to reduce congestion, some cars have red licence plates and can only be used on weekends. Cars have a box on the dashboard that calculates tolls for using downtown roads at peak hours. There are lanes designated for public buses only at peak hours.
Although there is a high degree of government control, Singapore is not a 'dead' city. It is very vibrant and active 24/7. Its residents are obsessed with eating and shopping. Every street feels like Robson Street on a Friday night! This is partly due to the government's efforts to encourage people to live close to where they work. Major new mixed-use communities are being planned adjacent to the downtown on lands being reclaimed from the sea.
Singapore is an incubator for new urban ideas. Many taxis are fitted with speed monitors. If a driver exceeds the limit, a sound goes off in the car, and a light flashes on the roof. Most transit riders have an easy-to-use pre-paid plastic card. It calculates fares based on the distance travelled, and can be topped up as required.
When I first arrived in Singapore, Warren suggested that I visit the Urban Redevelopment Authority's City Gallery. It contains scale models and other displays to allow visitors to see what has been built and what is planned for the future.
While I was there, school children were enjoying interactive displays on storm-water management, park-space planning and other urban concepts. I started to chat to one well-dressed man examining a portion of the model with great interest. It turned out he was a real-estate investor, curious to see what was planned for a site near one he owned.
Many years ago, Mr Ray Spaxman and a group of civilly minded Vancouver urbanists had visions of a similar centre for the city. They called it The Urbanarium. Having now visited Singapore's centre, and an even more impressive facility in Shanghai, I think now is the time for Vancouver's real estate community, public and private sectors to sponsor something similar in Vancouver. It could be a venue for Lighting The City, an exhibition currently on display in Singapore's centre. It offers creative ideas to improve night lighting around the city.
While we are all increasingly conscious of the need to conserve energy, I particularly look forward to the proposal for 'shimmering floating lights along the river, to bring out the sense of water'. I can visualise a similar proposal for portions of False Creek or English Bay.
Perhaps we might also implement the red licence plates, plastic transit cards, and taxis with flashing lights! Now, as for the ban on chewing gum and littering...
(The writer is a Vancouver architect, planner and property developer. This article first appeared in the April 14 issue of The Vancouver Sun).
_________________________________________________________
Why are Singaporeans still complaining?
I'm back! :D
Two things have prevented me from updating the blog over the past weeks. First, I was simply too busy to do go online, not to say blog. Second, when I finally had the time to, my modem went crazy on me and is currently malfunctioning.
The event was crazy. Pre-event too. 8.30am to 10.30pm or even later days straight for almost 2 weeks. Wonder where I got my stamina. But, it's finally over! Working on the post-show report now, but it's not an urgent thing. So I can finally go home while the sun is still shining!
Show days were fun-interesting-tiring-frustrating-and a lot more. I'll upload the pictures another time!
Two things have prevented me from updating the blog over the past weeks. First, I was simply too busy to do go online, not to say blog. Second, when I finally had the time to, my modem went crazy on me and is currently malfunctioning.
The event was crazy. Pre-event too. 8.30am to 10.30pm or even later days straight for almost 2 weeks. Wonder where I got my stamina. But, it's finally over! Working on the post-show report now, but it's not an urgent thing. So I can finally go home while the sun is still shining!
Show days were fun-interesting-tiring-frustrating-and a lot more. I'll upload the pictures another time!
Oh yes, I have another blog actually. I decided to set it up cos I was feeling that a larger part of my life should be dedicated to God. Go take a look at www.child-ofgod.blogspot.com :D
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