The feeling of nostalgia, it feels...

...like shit.

Hi all, I'm back online.

I've been exploring different platforms to continue this blog, and will probably move it to Medium, cos, something new. To me at least.

Anyways, the reason I mentioned that is also because I have a thing for nostalgia. Old is gold, last time was better, police also wear shorts again!

But there is also a popular saying: Never meet your heroes. And after trying out some stuff for nostalgia sake, I absolutely agree. So 3 things that made me feel this way.

1) Nokia 8110 aka Banana phone.

so chio i just had to get

I got a pretty good deal for this, not saying how much. I got it simply because I can install WhatsApp in this and use it as a spare/work phone! The feeling of tapping actual buttons, shiok la!

That shiok feeling of reliving my memories lasted all of... 1 day.

Now that I'm older, my eyes probably need a bigger screen. My fingers seem less nimble to navigate the tiny buttons, and I'm afraid to slide the cover too much in case I break it. 

Selling it. Any takers? Please?

2) Weekend Soccer.

Lately I picked up jogging and jio-ed my usual group to start soccer again. Feeling great, can run a bit more than usual and perhaps can push myself even further in the weeks to come. However, my mind was more eager than what my body could handle.

I was trying my best to keep up with the game, and maybe push myself beyond my usual limits to up my fitness. On the second last attack of the game, I was back-pedalling cos I thought I could join in the attack with my meagre ball skills. 

Then the idiot attacker changed direction suddenly and my reflexes decided to follow suit. Dumbest natural reflex ever. I pulled my back muscle and it as good as contracted immediately. And the next attack very promptly ended the game. 

this happened

So i'm still out but maybe this Sunday can attempt to play a gentle game. Maybe.

3. Drinks.

Just no. If you have decided to cut down on alcohol. Then stay away. Old habits die hard, especially if the reaction to one drink is to pour the next one very quickly. So, no. And no photos too cos wah lau, damn cui.

So yeah, I will have to say, the past is there for a reason. Learn from it. 

And yes, a quick update for my partial OnePunch Man challenge from the previous post. It is actually effective, but I fell ill and then couldn't continue. I will have to start again cos my wedding is in 3 months.

Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: If you rearrange the letters in NOSTALGIA, it spells GATALIONS. It doesn't mean anything though.

Adopting healthy habits, why do this to yourself?

So I've been feeling pretty unfit lately, always bogged down by niggling aches and pains, or light ailments like a runny nose (only thing about me that seems to enjoy running) or a fever. 

credits to happybirthdaycake2015.com

So this got me to thinking, I should start working out and get myself fitter. Obviously, the many many multi-vitamins I'm taking each day isn't working. I even wonder if I mistakenly am taking skittles and M&M's instead. Maybe I should start taking M&M's. The peanut butter ones are really good. Damn I got to go buy some now. Brb.

so so good... burp.

Sorry for the delay, they actually do melt in your hands. This is Singapore, warm and humid, no idea why I thought they wouldn't. Had to clean up my keyboard, and had to restrain myself from licking the keyboard to clean it too.

Ok, back to the lifestyle change. I know in my earlier posts I already adopted a lifestyle of jogging and table tennis and all that, but I got injured/ill/lazy and so stopped most of that. And it's a horribly vicious cycle, once you slack, it's really hard to get it back. No, not talking about the communications software, I mean actually slacking off on your workouts.

I still do go to yoga, or rather am now doing it more regularly. But more importantly, I am also starting a new morning regime after gaining inspiration from my new favourite manga, Onepunch-Man. Btw, season 2 of the anime is finally out.

I'm not insane, or even free enough to do this daily. But for a start, I am doing 30 Push-ups, 30 Sit-ups and 30 Squats every morning before breakfast, just to get the body and mind awake once I get up. And I'll tell you what, I actually feel better even just after 3 days. I mean the muscle aches are starting to appear, but at least it's through working out as opposed to stiffness from sleeping in a wrong position.

Also, I have decided to severely reduce my alcohol intake. This is definitely helped by me suddenly finding that lager beer is too sweet for me. I understand, this part (for those who read this far) is absolutely shocking to those who know me as their usual beer tanker. Sorry guys, I'm not even a beer bicycle any more, it's making me fat.

So I saw some guy online chronicle his daily Onepunch-Man workout, and I'm doing the same for my reduced version.

Day 3

Let's see how I'll look after 30 days, although I haven't started jogging yet. Had a bit of a health scare last year so I'm taking it slow for now. Just to let you know, even the repetitions of 30 is enough to get me sweaty in the morning. Once it stops being tiring I'll ramp it up to 40. Might take a while to get there so dun hold your breath.


Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: Onepunch-Man takes only one punch to kill his enemies!

Shut up in the Library, PLEASE!

So recently, I've been feeling very unproductive and unfocused, and thus decided to spend more time studying and working in our various Libraries. I know the previous post is about darts, and how to play the various games, but can't only be thinking about my hobby.

This self-enforced time of concentration of course, has absolutely nothing to do with a sprained shoulder and aching master arm, rendering all my darts sessions to be horribly disappointing, to the point where I am considering switching a hobby into something where I can sit and do nothing, like maybe flying drones or people watching. I digress, just wanted to stress that my sudden switch of time spent on weekends has absolutely nothing to do with my sprained shoulder causing me to play darts like a beginner and dropping my rating and stats until I am so frustrated that knitting suddenly seems like an ideal activity.

Where was I? Oh ya, library lifestyle.

This post might be a bit boring for you guys cos there will be minimal photos uploaded, sort of a throwback to my very first post. So let me add one of me working fervently on research and ideas generating.

happy man

Before you guys get all snide with the Manchester United comments, the face has absolutely nothing to do with the team losing twice to Wolverhampton in the space of 3 weeks. That is unfortunate, and I'm sure the new manager, as unknown as he is to the football world, will find find a way to turn things around. Look at that PSG game in the Champions League!

On to the review of working or researching in the library. DO NOT USE NEIGHBOURHOOD libraries. The noise, oh my goodness the noise. Click clack-ing of laptop keyboards i'm ok, cos I'm guilty of that too. Hushed whispered discussions, I'm ok too, cos ideas are usually borne that way. Normal volume conversations is where I sort of draw the line. I mean, come on... 

There are many clowns who treat the library like a local Starbucks, talking at normal volume, laughing away after making abrupt noises to disrupt the beautifully monotonous silence. I went in not expecting any of that. To say I was disappointed was putting it mildly. Well actually I was downright livid.

So here's a public service announcement to library goers. SHUT THE F*** UP.

Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: If you dun shut up in the library, I'll make you.

Types of Darts Games

Diu Diu Diu!

Dun get me wrong, this is not a post about cursing in Cantonese. That is to replicate the sound of a dart hitting the 'triple' portion on a DartsLive machine. It's a very satisfying hit, and something that I wish I do more often.

dartboard, not actual size

So the above is how a dartboard looks like, and let me explain it a bit more. The points are based on the numbers you see on the outer most. 

To score, you'll have to throw the darts within the circle at the beige or black areas. Then the outer most ring of green and red that you see just below the numbers, those are worth double. The inner ring of green and red, those are worth triple, cos so damn tiny. The electronic board goes 'Diu Diu Diu!' when you hit. Finally, the bullseye right in the middle. Green portion is worth 25 points, Red is worth 50 points! For the electronic version, the whole area is worth 50 points regardless of the green or red portion.

1) Count-Up

most brainless rules

This is the easiest game to pick up, just get the highest possible score! You see, after 8 rounds people can get 1091, easy-peasy! In fact, I'll proudly tell you my highest score after 8 rounds is... 651.

Not that easy la, to get over 1000 points, you'll need to hit many triple 20s. Even pro players miss once a while. Frustrating but challenging. For me is just frustrating though. Sigh....

2) 01 - 301/501/701

think of this as opposite to count-up

This is what everybody plays, cos it seems easy at first glance. If you use the point scoring guide at the start of this post, you simply need to score as high as possible to reduce your total points to zero. Until you get to the lower scores, and then you need to score exactly ZERO to win. Exact. No chance given if you overshot.

The pros even more showy, they are not allowed to hit the actual number to end the game. E.g. If they are left with 10, they cannot hit 10, must hit double 5. Wtf right. Hit 10 considered overshot, go again after your opponent. As good as losing. Really. I dun friend many people because of this rule liao.

3) Cricket - nothing to do with aiming at an insect

This is one high-level game. Must think of strategy, must be accurate, must be brutal. You see, you're only allowed to hit numbers from 15 to 20. And you need 3 hits to 'open' the number. 4th hit onwards will be to start earning points. The number is 'closed' once your opponent also has 3 hits on that number. Complicated much?

This game is all about attack and defence. And if you can't hit the triple segments on board, dun challenge and opponent who can! Confirm guarantee chop you'll lose with an embarrassing scoreline...

And then you'll try to bully many other lower level players to feel better of yourself, while ordering more drinks to soothe your frayed nerves. And then losing to said players cos you drank too many pints of Guinness cos it is St Patrick's Day, and then you start punching and kicking the machine, and then get kicked out of the darts pub. Pui. Wait, what was I saying again? Oh ya, Cricket.

This is a really good game to train your accuracy, I highly recommend despite being kicked out of the pub losing the game to lower level players.

So all in all, these are the basic games that the current soft-tip darters are playing. If you need darts, do go to Carousell and look at BargainDartSeller's listings, value for money!


Signing off,
KJ

Fun fact: Darts is all fun and games until you lose, then it's war.

Valentine's Day, it doesn't suck anymore!!

Apologies to my one reader on the slow updates. This new role is making me a bit busy in office, and hence I have a lot of time gaps in between.

If you've moved on, and found another blog to spend more time with, I understand. It's not you, it's me. I just want to let you know...

Anyways, today being V-Day, I think it's a good time to gloat share about how wonderful this day is. But first off, I'd like to share that I am definitely not a romantic. I think if you feel like you need to romance your partner on Valentine's Day, then I'm sticking my neck out and guessing that you're treating every other day as just a date in the calendar, and that's wrong.

Treat your partner right, and that means putting in your maximum effort every day!

I send this daily! (Baby, just go with it)

However, I'm pretty sure the only relevance of this day is to be swamped with over-priced food, gifts and flowers. Damn you capitalists! I believe that rather than conforming to social 'norms' and spending a lavish day/evening out, it's better to show your partner you're here for the long haul, that you're here to be the forever after.

Admittedly, I didn't have a 'forever after' two years ago, and all was doom and gloom. In fact, I hardly even knew why I was single...

But sometimes, miracles happen, and the right person comes into your life at the right moment. Dun ever settle, it's always better to find the right partner, than to think dated long enough so just get married lor.

tired faces after yoga, had to sit cos we had jelly legs

Cos when the right person comes along, it's just a fun filled adventure every time you're together! The surroundings always become a blur, and nothing else matters. Unless of course you're out driving, then please do take note of your surroundings. Red might be a lovely colour, but the blood of pedestrians leave a horrible stain on your car.

So back to work before I get fired for writing personal blogs during working hours. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day 2019!


Signing off,

KJ

Fun Fact: Apparently V-Day is not just for lovers but also for friends and family (according to some losers) so here's wishing it to everyone as well!

Holiday in Seoul part 1 - Trash Panda Included!

Good end of November, folks! Had an internal job switch so was a bit busy running around for appointments. Those who go for appointments will know that the actual tiring bit is the travelling involved. 

Just yesterday I took 30 mins to get to Woodlands Industrial for one, the actual appt lasted all of 20 mins... And then trying to take Grab out was $48!! Even though I can claim from company, my stinginess decided that wasn't a fair fare (hee hee) and so I went for breakfast before taking a bus to Woodlands Interchange. The Grab fare went to a more fair fare (hee hee) of $17. 

But enough about work, it's boring. It's time for some escapism! On to SEOUL, baby!!

peeeewww (sound of plane flying)

We took a morning flight, so we had to get to the airport by 6am. Tiring... And we were once again the last to board, so there was running involved. Nothing new there.

Unlike most tourists, our priority in Seoul wasn't about shopping. Mainly because we are online shoppers, but also because the season there would be Autumn, and so the clothes might be too thick. And I perspire easy. We were even in thinner and lighter clothes on one of the (trash raccoon) days!

I have to say, I think Seoul is a really, really clean city, comparable to back home. Despite the lack of dustbins, you really dun see trash in the streets. And I have to give special kudos to the toilets. Even the toilets in the subway are amazingly dry and clean. This is very different from back home where even some shopping mall toilets are dirty. Colour me impressed. 

But on to the strolling around. So much cute stuff to see! 

I love Peach. Sickening face.

Fantastic things to see when we walk around in Myeongdong and Hongdae. Having soju while walking around makes it even better, cos when it gets cold, just take a sip and you'll be all warmed up.

I should have taken a picture of the subway map, it looks really complex but at the same time really easy to follow. The stations indicate what is the next stop, so you hardly ever take the wrong side. Oh and please download Naver Map when in Korea, it works far better than Google Maps.

And the view from Namsan Tower, or Seoul Tower for the sua-ku (uninitiated) people out there.

breath-taking

this photo is here cos i look slim

We also took time out on the warm day to find the cafe with a few trash pandas. They live in air-conditioned environment, and have ropes and places to climb. And their faces, so cute!!

my new bff

relak one corner

albino raccoon!

scratching backside

I really wanted to see raccoons up close, so this was absolutely enjoyable for me. They have a habit of washing their food, making sure it is just that food before they put it in their mouths, and they love eating ice cubes too! But to take note, they are much heavier than they look, and the fur is bristly instead of silky. But aiyo, so adorable!!

So that's it for now, the second post will be about the food we had. Cos damn shiok. Slurp and burp.


Signing off,
KJ
















Fun Fact: Raccoon cafes are not for raccoons to order refreshments and chill-out with friends.

Surprise proposal in Seoul!

So for those of you who are unaware, i have recently gone from single to attached. And what can i say, she's the best i could ever wish for in a partner! Funny, sociable, caring, understanding and able to give good advice, in short, a female me. Except she's so much better looking. Like so so much (arms wide apart).

This short post is simply to show the sequence of that proposal, for all those who missed it on Instagram and Facebook.

It all started when we were planning for an Autumn holiday to a cooling country, so that we can get away from work to just unwind and recharge. And since we absolutely love Korean food, it made sense to go where we've never been. Anyeonghaseyo!

I have to say, they have a very extensive underground system, pretty much gets you anywhere without walking too much. But more impressive is their network of toilets, like even the ones in the Metro stations are clean! Can you imagine using the ones in our MRT stations? Maybe can la, when freaking desperate. But I'll talk about Korea another time, this post is only about the proposal.

long bus ride where we were both doing neck rotation exercises along the way

short boat ride

lovely scenery in Nami Island

I tripped while walking behind her

she thought i was proposing!

I quickly borrowed a ring from a passerby...

and then used it to propose

reverse angle!

still in shock

must place on the finger

reverse angle

I think it looks great on her

So yeah, that's how the surprise proposal went, surprising for both of us! I'll add in another post on our travels soon! The beautiful ring is courtesy of Infiniti Jewels, excellent designs which doesn't hurt the wallet!


Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: Seoul is pronounced as soul, not as C-hole. Man was i embarrassed.