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We are all discoverers... travelling the world, learning its truths, its people and its meanings every single day. Grab your backpacks and let's embark on this journey of mine, one that holds a lot of meaning to me... Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker

Friday, December 29, 2006

 

A So-So Christmas Gift

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Something small arrived in the mail today; reminding me about protection. When I first read about it on another blog sometime back, I never would have thought my turn would come soon:


A little gift from DBS. But it is really not something that is on my Christmas wishlist. In fact, it would be good if I didn't have to use it, so troublesome, having to lug this DBS iB Secure device thingy around...

Taken from the DBS website...
exactly how I may have looked
when I received the mail
"oh no! What do you want now?"


Have seen one of my SIA friends used it before and at that time, it looked so cool. But it is a different case having to use it when all this while I have been directly accessing my bank account online directly. Apparently, it is supposed to generate a code when you press the button on the device and you will use this code together with your existing login information to access your bank account online. Supposed to be a added layer of protection...

Anyway, I guess this is for our good, to protect us, but am just wondering why it can't be like UOB? UOB uses your handphone instead of using a separate device. When accessing your bank account online, they send the code through sms to your handphone so there is no need to meddle around with another device.

But frankly, I am amazed at how the whole technology works... the device (with a serial number) is actually tagged to your bank account so when it generates a code, I should guess that it also transmits some info to the bank so that it can be used to verify an online access to my bank account. But then, the very fact that it transmit info also raises some concern; I am just wondering how much more info does it transmit as well. Scary these days what technology can do and this device can potentially also become a tracking device :)

The registration process seems to tag
your device to your bank account

Thursday, December 28, 2006

 

Day at the Museum

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Day 5 of my leave... Would say that I have somehow managed to slow down a bit from my previously hectic lifestyle, which is good news. Am taking it easy these few days and have been sleeping late and way past 10am every day... But pretty soon, my leave will come an end and then will come another round of stressful lifestyle once again. Maybe next year, I should take it easier...

Today, I will be visiting some museums with my colleagues. I have always taken interest in the history of Singapore, especially history of Singapore during World War 2. There are a few places which I had wanted to visit but somehow just didn't have the time do so, including places such as the old Ford Factory and the Battle Box. Today, we planned to visit the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery at the Central Fire Station, the National Musuem of Singapore and also the Mint Museum of Toys.

First stop was the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery at the Central Fire Station opposite Funan Centre. It is a simple two-storey museum but it was interesting to see how fire fighting has evolved over the years in Singapore and also the tools used by firefighters, paramedics and rescue workers. There were some old fire engines as well and some life size exhibits showing civil defence personnels at work at historical disasters such as the hotel new world disaster, Bukit Ho Swee fire and in the event of disasters such as chemical warfare etc.



After the brief tour of the Civil Defence Gallery, we did make two brief stopovers at the Singapore Philatelic Museum and the Bible Society. Then comes the main highlight of the day... the visit to the new National Museum. The new museum is larger than the old one. Where the National Library once stood now becomes the new annex of the National Museum and the Fort Canning Tunnel. It is interesting how my friend lamented how a building of knowledge gave way to a "gaping hole" :)

The "gaping hole" behind the museum (Source)

Actually the new national museum is awesome and we were quite amazed by the technology used, presenting something historical in a new way. Entry to the exhibition areas are limited by gantries where you have to scan your barcoded ticket. Then, before embarking on your journey, you will be given a gadget to hang around your neck; your companion (see right) who will be providing audio commentary for your visit.

At each exhibition area, you will key in the number and the audio commentary will start. We also heard that there are close to 1000 artifacts in the museum, which you can get explanations on through your companion. There are also rooms where you can sit to listen to stories from the perspective of common folks. But frankly, there were too any artifacts and to really hear all the commentaries, view every video clip, read every panel, it would definitely take more than a day.

After a while of diligently following the trail, I got quite tired and even skipped a few commentaries. But I love the concept where they bring history alive but re-creating the rooms and furnishing it with artifacts to make it feel as if you are within the pages of history e.g. the room where you are invited to sit to listen to a storyteller relate about Seah Eu Chin and in front of you are some artifcacts used by storytellers, an interrogation room where you experience being interrogated (through your companion of course) and learn about the Kreta Ayer Incident and the Special Branch. Anyway, we stayed close to 3 hours there and still couldn't finish the whole thing. The day ended with dinner at Hong Lim Complex.



Oh ya, by the way, the photos in the slideshows above are taken with my new toy. Not the best of quality but "passable" la :)

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

 

My Latest Toy

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2006 has been a looonnnggg and tiring year. Looking back, I have achieved quite a bit this year (although my attempt to slim down has not seen much result, haha, still managed to stay in shape - round), but I have been left rather exhausted and burnt out by the end of the year.

With my bonus, I decided to pamper myself and maybe buy me a new handphone. I have been contemplating getting a new handphone because my current old trusty handphone is starting to fail me. I was tempted to get a good camera phone so I can take pictures for my blog too, but a good camera phone may cost a bomb...

Today, met a friend and spent quite a lot of time loitering around handphone shops in Suntec. To buy or not to buy? Anyway, after scouting around and deliberating and deliberating... I laid down a whopping $498 on my latest toy, the Nokia N73. Really hope I will not regret it... but one thing helps to at least make me feel better; the purchase came with a free Canon portable photo printer worth $199, seemingly the best I have seen in all the stores. I gathered that I may just sell away the printer if I have no use for it and my phone would cost me less :) (Photo of N73 above: Source)


Canon SELPHY CP720 (Source)

Anyway, have done research and N73 seems to be a good camera phone, with a 3.2 megapixel camera. Compared to the Sony Ericsson K800i and Samsung Ultra 12.9, the photo quality seems better and more vibrant and sharp. My only qualms about it is the small small keypad, which gave way to the large display screen, and the positioning of the "cancel" key. (Picture of Carl Zeiss lens: Source)

The small small keypad was a real bane for someone with big fingers like me and I did struggle with sending sms. In fact, what could have took me 10 sms to send a simple reminder to my friends for a gathering actually cost me 30 sms. Why? Because, I marked the 10 recipients and went on to type "Hi there" and then accidentally pressed the SEND key. Tried to stop the sending but could not. Then, I typed a second message to apologise for the incomplete sms and before I can finish the whole sms, guess what happened again? Yes, I accidentally press the SEND key yet again, argghhh. Well, it may take a little getting used to but then in the meantime, I devised a work around the problem by typing the message first then adding the recipient.

The cancel ("C") key is also positioned at the bottom right corner of the keypad. Usually I could sms with one hand but with this phone, sms-ing with one hand is just risky, since I might just drop my phone when reaching for that "C" button in the corner. Other than that, I love my phone and am already spending quite a bit of time searching the net for themes to customise me phone :)

Wow, my first quasi-product review blog entry hehehe :)

Sunday, December 24, 2006

 

Merry Christmas!

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Video loop kindly provided by Reelworship

 

The First Christmas, The First Noel

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Christmas, for many years, was all about presents, santa claus, christmas trees, snow, raindeers, snowman etc. But how did Christmas come about in the first place? What was the first Christmas like?

The Prophecy:
Long before the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, his birth was foretold and prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 9):




The Arrival:
Click the picture above to view the flash movie

To hear a narrative about the first Christmas, click the "Play" button below:




Oh Holy Night:


O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

And in His Name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the Lord!
Their name forever praise we

Noel, Noel
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy Divine

 

Late Night Operation Bless

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It was nearing bedtime for some, but for me and my cell group mates, it was time for one last briefing before embarking on our late night operations. Right after the Christmas service, we gathered at our church's roof terrace to be briefed on the reason for the operation, our car allocation, assignment of contact persons, a run down of the target group who we are blessing and the cut-off time. Thereafter, we are deployed to the respective cars...

Together, we will be setting off in 4 squad cars to comb various parts of the island, to find homeless and bless them with a small "care packs" we have prepared the day before. Inside each pack, we packed in towel, biscuits, mineral water and some muffins (which was kindly donated by the church).

To Bless or not to Bless
Frankly, when I started off with the operations, I was a little apprehensive and didn't quite buy the idea of providing these care packs to the homeless. Somehow, I feared verbal and/or physical attacks by some of the homeless and most of all, I didn't want to provide them with another incentive to stay on the streets. But I must say that as we went about the night operation, I reckon that whether they are homeless intentionally or unintentionally, they are humans after all and they have basic human needs too. Anyway, we have all been blessed and what is blessing them with a little care pack worth no more than $2? It is not much but it might just make the night's stay outside a bit more bearable, especially during this cold season. In fact, when we arrived at Chinatown, we saw some uncles trying to sleep on benches in the rain while some took shelter at the shop-house corridors nearby.

Being Observant, Thinking Like Them
Looking for the homeless was a real challenge because you can hardly find them around, since they have to avoid being found and taken away by the beggar squads from the MCYS. In order to find them, it really takes much patience and we had to be observant and also think like them. It wasn't an easy task as we take to the parks, void decks, playgrounds and car parks. We climbed stairs, looked behind construction partitions, comb corridors and every little nooks and corners. There was also one time when one of our friends saw an uncle who was limping in a distance, carrying a hand-carry bag. I had to run across all the way to him to pass him the care pack. Too some time to talk to him and realised that he has been homeless since 1997 when his wife died. He is on his way to find a place to sleep and usually hangs around Bedok. In fact, her later asked me for some money for him to travel back to Bedok. Unfortunately, I do not believe in giving money so I just told him that we will just be able to bless him with the care pack. He was nonetheless still very appreciative and smiled at me, saying "God bless you".

Usually, cardboard boxes on the floor with personal belongings placed on small ledges on walls and the occasional hint of the smell of urine were clues that this might just be home for someone. For example, there was this person who slept under this big piece of cardboard. If one of our friends did not alert us to it, we would have walked on. As my friend was parking the car, he observed personal belongings, plates and crockery being line out nicely near to his car. This made him suspect that someone might just be sleeping below the cardboard and so we left the care pack nearby. If we suspect a place to be home for someone but yet do not see anyone, we will leave the care packs near their personal belongings. If they are sleeping, we will leave it near them without waking them up.

A Unique Experience
The whole experience was such an eye-opener because I got to see the kind of circumstances the homeless has to put up with while the majority of us sleep in the comfort of our own homes. They are easily the forgotten ones who roam the streets and bear with the cold weather with whatever they have on them. Although we tried our best to distribute the packs to those who are needy, there were a few instances where we could not ascertain if someone was needy or not. The decision was nonetheless to bless them because it is always joyful to give. And I thank God for watching over the whole operation and that everything went without hiccups; that most of the homeless were appreciative of the kind gesture and there was no reports of aggression towards our volunteers. In fact, I remember approaching this guy who was sleeping in Chinatown and who reeked of alcohol. I remember approaching him precariously and my hands trembled as I quietly left the care pack besides him; I was afraid he would wake up and turn violent. Thank God, everything went well. I also thank God for blessing us with just the right number of cars, enough male chaperons, social workers and for volunteers who were able to speak the different dialects and who knew the areas well.

Interestingly, while we went about, we also came across two youth who were doing something similar, but they were blessing cats. Throughout the 3 hours, a total of 60 care packs were given out to locations including York Hill, Chinatown, Beo Crescent, Bukit Ho Swee, Tanjong Pagar, Chai Chee, Bedok, Hougang and Jurong. Towards the end of the operation, we had a number of care packs left. We all congregated at Chinatown, randomly chose a floor at one of the blocks and quietly hanged the care packs on the iron gate of the homes.

The operation ended with us volunteers blessing who else but ourselves. Just before heading home, we treated ourselves to a simple meal at Maxwell Food Centre nearby. This year's Christmas outreach is indeed special.

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