Close Call with UFO - 14th Mar 2010

Was cruisin along TPE, going home after service and almost reaching my exit when suddenly a flying object came towards my direction.

I was going nice and easy at approx. 100km/hr with a car length's distance behind the front vehicle. Didn't managed to see what it was but it flew straight towards my bonet. The front (near the Toyota logo) was dented, the bonet as well and a clean scratch right across, near the left front light.

Thank God the UFO didn't aim for my windscreen else I cannot imagine the outcome ...


Later that night, I took a walk along the Expressway in search for the guilty bugger, but after 15min I gave up. I think it had legs ....

You're Lucky in April - 10th Mar 2010

I recall a brother who posted a blog about this Singh who came up to him one day and said something like "You have a lucky face, next month is a lucky month for you ... blah blah blah"

Sounds familiar to some ?

Haha, I was greeted in similar fashion today as well !

This well-dressed Singh came up to me, gave a big warm smile and pointed to his forehead saying "You have a lucky face, your forehead shows". I smiled and went politely, "Thank you". He went on, "This mole on your nose is a lucky mole." Again, being nice and polite, I said "Thank you." "Next month, April is a lucky month for you ...  can I tell you something ?" (Didn't he just say a fair bit already ???) Anyway I went "Thank you and no."

Yes, I am lucky but not just next month. I am lucky everyday because He is my God and He is with me everyday. Better yet, I am blessed, truly blessed :D

Signs of an Aging Population - 5th Mar 2010

I was on my way to Marsiling from work to meet her for dinner. Being peak hour, the train was packed but not overly packed since I was considered early. Still I had to stand, (which I'm used to) just that my bag was heavy and my knee was misbehaving. I yearned for a seat so badly cos the journey was long (Orchard to Marsiling).

The bad thing that can happen when you really want a seat on a long train ride is to have an old man board the train and stand beside you a few stations later. There goes my seat, if ever there was one I thought.

The worse thing that happens next after a seat is finally available and I made way for the old man is another old man appearing out of nowhere ! Well, at least I got a smile and nod of thanks from the first old man.

Another seat is available and again, I made way. No smile this time though - but that's fine. I was too tired already. Still plenty of stops to go ... Hopefully I can grab a seat somehow.

The WORST thing that can happen - a third old man ! Man ..... And to top it up, eventually I made way for him as well - all 3 old men had seats side by side right in front of where I stood !

By then, I was 3 stops away ... almost there ....

Touchdown China - 12th Feb 2010

Flight time was to be 0115 but it was delayed and we took off around 0145. After a long flight, we finally touched down at Shanghai's airport.

Arriving at 0630, it took us another hour before we finally cleared the immigration checks, collected our luggage and headed away from the airport.

Then it took another long drive (5 1/2 hours) before we finally reached Wenzhou. I was dead tired and super hungry. Thankfully, the first place we went to when we arrived in her hometown was to have lunch. That was my first time eating their local food ... not quite what I expected but still food is food. I was famished !

We reached home, settled in and both of us went to bed. I'd had thought I'd end up sleeping till night fall, but I was up right around 5ish in the evening ... hungry again :)

This time, it was home cooked food ...

After dinner, we headed out for a walk in the neighbourhood. As you can see, food was everywhere !

The Night Before The Flight - 11th Feb 2010

Thursday, 11th Feb 2010

- Heading for a holiday soon + going to propose + gonna spend my CNY in China !!!
- 2 great pals (Brand n Cat) picked me up from home and sent me to the airport.
- Poor dear had to go to the airport alone cause of timing issue ... :P
- Security check was horrible at Changi Airport, had to remove shoes n belt ! Really don't get the logic !?!
- Hand-carry luggage was treated like soft toys, I had to snap at the staff who almost threw my bag
- People were piling up at the queue and the security staff was totally rude. (So much for service standards)
- Seriously, do all travellers look like criminals ?

Well, enough of that. We got over it in the end and was waiting for the boarding call. Off to China we go ....

The Power of Sony CZ 24-70 F2.8 Lens

Right on the first night in China of a week long trip, my camera (lens attached) with an estimated weight of 4kg went diving from an estimated height of 1.5m straight to the road. The distinct sound of glass breaking shot thru my heart like an arrow instantly.

The lens took the impact, with a major dent to the filter and causing the glass to break. Due to the weight, the lens frame was also dented slightly but lucky enough, the front element didn't break, thanks to the filter.

However, the front element was not entirely spared. It suffered a huge crack but thankfully it was around the rim so the lens was still usable.

The camera absorbed the after-shock so there's some damage to it internally as well.

The Proposal (Part 2) - 14th Feb 2010

14th Feb 2010 is a date to remember for us both. At midnight, I proposed and she said "Yes".

We had our reunion dinner at a restaurant nearby - That will be yet another story to tell :)

I was a little high by the end of the dinner, having received several toasts and having to toast the family members in return. I was constantly keeping my fingers crossed that I could stay awake till the stroke of midnight to propose. Fortunately dinner ended around 9 I think and we were back home by 10. 2 more hours to go and I was already feeling worn out. I kept myself awake by watching tv and chatting with the other cousins. We had planned to light up firecrackers later that night so I took the chance to hint to the rest (Hui Hui, Jia Jia and Cheng Yang) on my plans. Thankfully, they played along and kept mum although Jia Jia almost had a slip of tongue (she confessed later haha).

Right about 2345, Cheng Yang came with the "goods" and we headed down to prepare the fireworks. It had begun to drizzle but that didn't dampen the mood. A few other households had already started their own fireworks. Not as grand and colourful as I'd expected but nonetheless, the ambience was great !

At the stroke of midnight, fireworks continued and on my knees I went, asking "Will You Marry Me". She was stunned I think ... but she nodded her head and said yes and onto her finger the ring, the token of my love went and so this marks the beginning of our journey together.

The Proposal (Part 1)

Many people have been asking me how I'm going to propose and when.
Many people have been asking her too if I have proposed.
Well, I don't blame the paparazzis around me, since we've already set a date even!

Isaiah even offered to help me with the proposal -
He suggested a Big Big Banner and said "She sure cry one!"
Hmz ... I'm certain of that, after all the "Gang" has been her closest group of friends all this years.
I'm truly thankful for all of you, for showering her with love and warmth -
(In no order) The Kuans, The Tays, Ms Heah, Mr @sterix & Ms JY
And when I intruded into the "Gang", you folks gave me the same love n warmth as well
You guys are the best! And certainly it would've been very meaningful to propose with all of you around.

BUT ... after a long thought, I decided to do it on 14th Feb 2010 instead.

Not that I'm into the Valentine's Day craze, but it is a special day on its own after all.

14th Feb 2010 - Valentine's Day, back in her hometown on the 1st Day of Chinese New Year.

I may not have been who you had in mind as a life partner

But to you, I happened to be there at the right place right time

I was truly worried at first, for I know myself well

Will I be able to meet your expectations

Will I be able to be a good husband and father in future

But you accepted me for who I am & not who I was

You believe me for who I can become

So hand in hand we've walked this journey together

Spending moments of joy n pain, in laughter n in tears

There's more to come, this I promise

And for as long as time shall take, I will always love you till the very end.

Will you marry me?

(The above was blogged before I proposed)

How did it turn out ???

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*Drum Roll .....*

Well it turned out to be quite different in the end.

But that will be another story to tell :)