It's PHOTOS time!!!!!

Singapore Science Centre - a great refresher course for an Engineering-trained Banker like me.

Clarke Quay - Thank God, it's holiday, after 11 consecutive days of working

KTV - I look very innocent right? RIGHT??????!!!! aWW, Thanks so much.

The Hooters @ Clarke Quay- The food sucks, service sucks, the place sucks. Rating: 0/5

Yulia's room - a place I used to call "my third home". We were acting crazy

..... and to regain back our reputation, we were acting cool. We cut to be models huh? =P

And KTV again!!! I know I don't have the most beautiful voice in the world (although I am not completely tuneless either). Nevertheless, I really enjoy singing!

Friends, I really appreciate our friendship and our time together. LUVVVV Y'ALL!!!!!!

You are my caffeine.

Whether you realize it or not, there are some persons in our life who act as our caffeine. They may not know it, but we know precisely that... we need their presence.

My mom has been my number one fan for 22 years out of 22 years in my life. She completely believes that I can achieve whatever things I want to achieve. She pushes me hard, and she knows my standard, but at the end of the day, no matter what happens, she always smiles... and I know precisely what that smile means. She is so proud of me. Really, really proud. Mom, I am also very proud of you and being your son is the single best thing ever happened in my life.


And I think now I have found another caffeine in my life. I am not sure whether I have fallen for her or not. Nevertheless, she gives me strength when I am down although at times, she doesn't realize it.


We, guys don't need a lot of things. We just need a complete trust that we can accomplish anything. ANYTHING. And that's exactly what I need. Sometimes we are too ambitious, we feel that we can eat the mountain... that's silly! And don't worry, we know that we are just being silly. However, we need someone who, despite everything says...

"You can accomplish anything. I have faith in you."

And that's exactly what I need. Thanks for being such a wonderful caffeine.

It Has Been 2 Years

It has been 2 years.

I still remember very clearly how we got together
And all the journeys we have been through

All the challenges we faced together
And all the quarells we sometimes need to do

I learnt a lot. A lot.
Sometimes, lessons in life can be very expensive
Nevertheless, I must say...

Those lessons are worth every pain they give.


It has been 2 years,
And I have grown to a better person.
A more mature guy.
A stronger me.

It has been 2 years. Thank you very much.





Dedicated for:
someone who used to be the queen of my heart. I pray for your happiness.

High School Musical 3 is simply AWESOME.

For me, this is the single best movie for at least the past 5 years.

Great actors, simple yet sweet storyline, GREAT MUSIC. GREAT MUSIC. GREAT MUSIC.

The songs of this movie keep repeating themselves in my head, and they make me want to sing and dance.

Making movies is like making cocktails. Sometimes, the simplest ingredients make the best result. And High School Musical 3 is just an example for that.

By the way, Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) is at least 100 times prettier than Sharpay (Ashley Tiadale) and Troy (Zac Efron) doesn't look gay, not even 1% :P

Nikah umur berapa?

Dua sepupu saya akan meninggalkan masa lajang sebelum tahun 2008 berakhir. Dua orang teman sudah bertunangan. Dua kucing tetangga juga tampaknya sudah gak sabar buat menambah populasi kucing Bukit Batok blk 146 West Avenue 6 di tanah Singapura ini.


Aku teringat sama seorang yang mantan high quality Jomblo most wanted (sekarang juga masih high quality kok, tapi gak tahu masih most wanted nggak.. =P). Dia bilang...

"Ben, lu kerja di bank kan? tahu donk tentang saham. Kalau umur 22 itu, harga sahamnya masih tinggi, dan akan terus naik sampai umur 25. Abis umur 25 tuh musti segera dijual, kalau nggak harganya jatuh... "


Hmm...

Kata Cinta Laura, kita musti berpikir long cyermm (long term-red). Abis pacaran, nikah donk. Abis nikah, kawin donk (yang ini bisa diskip). Abis nikah dan kawin, punya anak donk. EHHH PUNYA ANAK????

Mungkin aku yang sudah terlalu lama tinggal di negeri mungil tapi maju ini. Sebuah tempat yang masyarakatnya musti berpikir seribu kali buat punya anak.

Punya anak mahal lhoooo...

Musti kasih susu...
Musti beliin mainan...

Kalau udah masa sekolah, musti biaya pendidikan...
Beli buku...
Beli tas dan keperluan sekolah...
Dan yang paling penting, bayar tuition biar gak kalah sama anak2 sekelasnya...
Les piano lah, les berenang lah, les balet lah, les Inggris lah, Matematik lah, etc etc

Kasihan banget lihat anak2 sini yang tiap hari kayaknya ikut tuition terus. Mau bukti? Lihat aja tuh anak2 umur 8 atau 9 tahun sudah pakai kacamata. Sedangkan saya, umur 22 tahun baru pakai kacamata.


Kembali ke masalah punya anak, the ultimate question is...


"NYO, punya anaknya sama siapa?"

Oh iya, baru ingat, calon saja belum punya. Kalau seumur tante2 sih banyak yang naksir. Om2 apalagi (serem uihh.. please, I am straight, and will be straight forever). Kalau tantenya secantik Tamara Blesyinski atau Demi Moore sih YESSS OKAY BABY. Kalau tantenya seseksi Angie Jolie ato Vicky Beckham sih HERE I AM.


Yup, saya mau volunteerin diri jadi ketua PELEPECELETU.

Apaan tuh?

Itu singkatan "Perkumpulan Lelaki Pecinta Cewek Lebih Tua"

Kenapa cewek yang lebih tua? Gak tahu, tapi saya jauh lebih sering jatuh cinta sama cewek yang lebih tua. Dari kakak kelas yang 1 tahun lebih tua sampai guru Effective Communication yang kayak Fann Wong yang notabene at least 12 tahun lebih tua.

Mengingat cewek biasanya menikah umur 25, 26 atau 27, jadi bisa jadi, saya bakal nikah muda. Itu kalau dapat sih. haha...

Siap gak?

Lahir, siap. Batin? ehh.. hmmm.... lemme think... siap deh.

Kebayang nggak sih seorang anak muda nan cute (ini bukan saya yg ngomong, tapi dua cewek berinisial T dan Y) umur 23 atau 24 memperkenalkan diri sebagai seseorang yang sudah married... sudah punya anak lagi.


Haha... saya sih gak bisa bayangin, tapi kalau ada cewek yang saya suka, saya nggak takut menikah muda.


Mengutip ucapan temen saya yang High Quality Jomblo itu, jangan sampai harga sahamnya jatuh, entar nyesel.

Haha.

Sori bung, saya itu saham bluechips, biarpun harga jatuh, tetep mahal.


Eh tapi biarpun saham bluechips, kayak AIA gitu, dari perkasa sampai worthless dalam semalam.


AMIT-AMIT. TOK TOK TOK.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Graduation...

NO, I didn't cry. BOYS DON'T CRY OKAY.

As for college graduation, I spent the night with some of my best friends, hugged each other, and asked ourselves... "Is it possible to continue our lives without each other's company?"

OK, silly question, life goes on for sure.

Anyway, for all my college friends, I TERRIBLY miss you SOOO MUCH. SOOOOOOOO MUCH.

As I have just graduated from University a few months back, the memory is still fresh. With my parents and my brother spent the nights before and after graduation with me, I couldn't ask for more.

I think life is about giving our best in whatever we do. When we study, study well. When we work, work well. When we one day get married, be the best father or mother we could possibly be. The rest will take care of themselves.

Catch Walt Disney Pictures' High School Musical 3: Senior Year in cinemas from October 24!

50 Hal yang Saya Rindukan dari Indonesia

1. Teh botol sosro dan Es Teler 77
2. Mie sedap, mie instant terenak di dunia
3. Becak yang musti ditawar tarifnya
4. Mobil Kijang
5. Ditilang polisi dan lolos dengan membayar 20 ribu
6. Dewa dan Peterpan
7. Sinetron: Tersanjung 1, Tersanjung 2, Tersanjung 3, Tersanjung 4, ...
8. Gorengan yang konon mengandung plastik. Who cares, it's good.
9. Mie ayam yang konon dibuat dari daging tikus. Yucks.
10. Radio Gajah Mada FM dan SMARTFM.
11. Pemilihan Putri Indonesia
12. Megawati Soekarnoputri dan suami, Taufik Batisah.. eh Taufik Hidayat... eh Taufik Kiemas
13. KOMPAS dan Suara Merdeka
14. Banci-banci yang sudah ketahuan banci dari jarak 2 km
15. Pedagang kaki lima
16. Bali dengan pantainya. God must be in a super good mood when He created it.
17. (Used to be) little girl with amazing voice: Sherina.
18. Acara gosip jam 5 sore yang amat sangat gak penting: Silet.
19. Ahmad Dhany dan Cinta Laura
20. VCD bajakan seharga 7000 rupiah
21. Gado-gado versi asli, bukan versi tiruan yang dijual di Singapur.
22. Menyebrang jalan sembarangan
23. AFI dan Indonesian Idol yang diakhiri dengan air mata buaya di setiap minggunya
24. Amien Rais. Profesor lulusan S3 luar negeri yang gak pernah menang lawan lulusan SMA.
25. MY FAMILY. MISS YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!
26. Honda bebek
27. Krisdayanti
28. Tamara Bleysinski
29. Nonton piala Thomas-Uber dengan komentator berbahasa Indonesia
30. Internet super lambat
31. MIRC. Wow, it's been so long.
32. Telepon umum
33. Bakso yang konon mengandung formalin. Saya masih sehat2 saja tuh.
34. Anak2 remaja post-puber yang suka pakai kacamata hitam biarpun matanya sehat
35. Inul dengan goyang mautnya
36. EXTRAVAGANZA! Love it love it love it!
37. Paket Hemat di KFC seharga 5000 rupiah (dulu)
38. Ice Cream McDonald seharga 1000 rupiah (dulu)
39. PSIS, Persebaya, Persija, Per... Per... Per...
40. Anak2 remaja yang dengan bangga pakai jersey bertuliskan "Beckham", "Gerrard", atau "Ronaldo"
41. Orang-orang main bulutangkis di depan rumah
42. Rumah yang ada halamannya, bukan yang kecil-kecil dan bertumpuk-tumpuk
43. Misa berbahasa Indonesia
44. Bis yang bisa berhenti di tengah jalan hanya dengan 1 lambaian tangan
45. Dewi Sandra yang KTPnya bertulis... Agama: Ikut Suami
46. Orang-orang yang ngomong boso Jowo dengan sangat medok
47. Sirup dengan warna super terang benderang
48. Malam 17 Agustus yang amat sangat berisik
49. Meeting yang so-called urgent tapi terlambat 2 jam
50. Upacara Bendera



I wanna go homeeeee....

2-Become-1... This blog is now bilingual

When everyone is talking about US sub-prime blablabla and which companies going bankrupt, which companies are bought over by which, etc etc... I, hereby announce... that...

http://bennypandowo.blogspot.com/ pte ltd

is bought over by

http://energizingmyday.blogspot.com/ pte ltd


and its price is... priceless.. I mean, it's free. lol.


By the way, the first of blogs above is my latest baby, written in Indonesian (or bahasa Indonesia... btw, please stop saying that Indonesians speak bahasa. "bahasa" is language, so everyone speaks bahasa, get it?)

It's quite an inconvenience to have 2 blogs, so I decided to just merge them as one.

Meaning to say...

Whenever you start to read one or two sentences and you feel that you don't understand a word, it means... that post is not written in English. It's written in Indonesian.


Tiap kali kamu mulai baca satu atau dua kalimat, dan kamu merasa bahwa kamu tidak mengerti sekatapun, itu artinya... pos itu tidak ditulis dalam bahasa Inggris. (Itu) ditulis dalam bahasa Indonesia.

Yup, like that. Kayak gitu.

Speaking Indonesian is like speaking singlish. You know that it's grammatically retarded, but you still speak it because you don't want people to start looking at you strangely (Try speaking to that drink stall auntie... "Auntie, may I have one cup of hot tea without milk please?" instead of "Teh-O one.")


But of course, whenever I speak about serious stuffs, I am going to use the really proper Indonesian. It's gonna be a struggle and it takes at least 20-30% more time as I never use it anymore at least for the past 4 years. I try my best though.


Yup. That's it.

My First Car

Or should I say, my dream first car.

OK, I've got to be realistic, so for now, forget about that Jaguar or Lexus. I know I will get one of those SGD 200K++ kind of car one day, but I guess anyone must start of somewhere right?

I have been a huge fan of Mazda cars because of their beautiful and manly look, reliable performance, and reasonable price.

Take a look of these pictures.

It's priced at around $67,000, quite a reasonable price...

I must get it before 31 December 2009.

Don't Quit - My own version

When I am tired, and I want to give up
When everything is so difficult and way far from expected

I close my eyes.
I take a deep breath.

God, are you there?
Are you really there God??

...
...
...

And God answers...
My son,
In life, sometimes you won't get what you want...
Nevertheless, be grateful
Sometimes people won't return your kindness...
Nevertheless, be nice to everyone you meet, always

Sometimes you hit a wall and you want to fight, but you just can't
Let go, my son, Let go
I put that wall on purpose, so that you find another direction

My precious son...

Do you remember why you do all of these?
Why you work SOOOO hard when noone is watching

And I answer.

Absolutely, God.

For my family
For my friends
For my country
For hungry people
For homeless children
For a better world
and most importantly,
For Your glory, God


God smiles...

My son...
I am proud of you. SO PROUD.
Some things in life are worth doing, and worth working hard towards

I know you can do it son because I am your creator.

But remember, whenever you feel tired
I am always here . ALWAYS.

My son, together WE CAN.

Ben & Co. Thou Shall Dream!

I know that one day, I want to start my own business, be it part-time or full-time. Not really for the money (although that's also nice), but mainly for the personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.

OKAY, let's brainstorm.

If you see my friendster, these are my hobbies:


Movies, Creative Writing, Playing Badminton and Tennis, Human Psychology, Running, Reading, Logic, Writing Blog, Eating buffet, Fashion, Siti Nurhaliza (before married), Relaxing, Korean Food, Thai Food, Indonesian Food, Ice Cream, Doing nothing, Juventus, books, Healthy Food, smart girls, People who always say "OMGosh, u are so thin!", Home Design, Workout @ Gym, Maria Sharapova, Hanging Out, Angelina Jolie, Being praised in front of many people, Chocolate, Strawberry, Papaya, Learning something new, Sleeping, More Sleeping, Old Songs, Singing, Vegetarian and something related to vegetable, Window-Shopping, Learning Chinese, My professor who looks like Fann Wong, Surfing Internet, Travelling, Peanut butter, Listening to good music, Reading people's Blogs, God, The Bible, Going to church every Saturday night and going shopping after that.


WELL, I know, that's A LOT.

That shows that I have a wide range of interests, or lack of focus depending on how you see it. But let's summarize it into some big categories and see how it can be transformed into business ideas.

1. Eating
Setting up a cafe like Rochester Park or Pacific Coffee at vivocity?
OMYGOD, I have been to Rochester Park only once in my life and I want to spend my life there, for real. It's soooooooo beautiful with all the gardens and excellent drinks and foods. Well, who cares about drinks and foods, I go to a cafe mainly for the ambiance and companionship.

I want to have my own cafe and name it Ben & Co. (I hope Ben & Jerry will be bankrupt by then, so my name is unique. Screw you B & J!!!)

2. Sports
Btw, do you know why I love sports? Because I like winning.
So, I want to set up a sports academy that teaches people not only the technical aspect of the sports, but mainly, the philosophy behind it. Teamwork, determination, mental strength, focus. You name it. Everything you need to know to succeed in life, you can learn it from sports.

Some of the best managers in the world are from sports. Six Alex, Jose Mourinho, you name it. We can definitely learn one thing or two from sports.

3. Fashion
I admit that I am no expert on this. My fashion sense is still way behind many bankers, although it's much better than engineers'. haha...

My fashion sense is simple, sophisticated, and manly. NOPE, you won't see me carrying those girly bags who are claimed to be unisex. Soooo gay, yucks.

The day when I see people wearing my fashion label would be the one of the happiest days in my life.

Like The Apprentice 4 UK, I want men who wear my fashion label to wear like a man, walk like a man, and look like a man. Enough said.


I know I am not the most creative person in the world, and starting something new isn't really my strength. But I am well-known to be very good in negotiating and leading... and I believe no matter how good the idea is, it needs a good marketer and a good leader (brand evangelist - so to say).

Who wants to be my future business partner? Drop me an E-mail and we shall discuss.. ;)



Footnote:
I still LOOOVVEEE my job as a banker, and I wake up everyday, can't wait to start working. But I know there's nothing wrong with having another plan in my life.

Get married before 25?

It's so difficult to be single. Especially if you are good looking (No, I am not talking about myself, although you have all the right to think so =P). Especially if you are surrounded by pretty girls. And especially, if you have been single for so long.

People will start to ask, "Are you straight?"

Or even worse, when someone confessed HIS feeling to me, and that someone is a guy (For the guy who is also my blog reader, I am flattered, but I am straight, and will be straight forever.)


Well ladies and gentlemen, I am single and am happy. I mean, we can have all the time with friends and all the time to work till very late, and noone will question you with questions like "Are you cheating behind my back?"



With two of my cousins getting married this year, I start to receive question like "When will be your turn?"

HELLO. I am only twenty-two, and I haven't thought about marriage. However, I must clarify that I am not afraid of commitment. If I can find my soulmate one day, I don't mind getting married the next day, seriously. I want to get smart kids, so I had better get married young (Research shows that :))

I want to get married before I turn 25, raise smart and cute kids, and spend my whole life as a proud father and husband. Who wants to apply? =D

despair.com is totally hillarious!!!

Nope, it's not an advertorial. Visit http://despair.com/


BLOGGING.
Never before so many people with so little to say said so much to so few.

GOVERMENT.
If you think the problems we create are bad, just wait until you see our solutions.

TRADITIONS.
Just because it's a tradition doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid.


wow. WOW. WOW.

I find it hillarious. So hillarious that I want to slap the founder over a drink, while whispering.. "I hate to say.. that.. you are a FUCKING GENIUS."


Anyway, let me contribute some.


INNER BEAUTY.
Is what people say to console an ugly person.

PHOTOSHOP.
When even your make-up can't help you, try this!

TEACHER.
is someone who keeps talking when the other person is no longer interested.

DETERMINATION.
There's a fine line.. very fine line between being determined and being stupid. You know where you are.



Haha... I hope management of http://despair.com/ see my attempt and give me credit for that... :)

10 Brilliant Ways to be Legally Cheapskate in Singapore

1. Go to McDonald, order ONE cup of coffee or tea. Ask for plain water, and more plain water. Bring back some packets of sugar. Do your reading or studying there at least for 4 hours, and you will save some electricity bills.. and help to save the earth.

2. Queue at selected MRT every morning to get free Today newspapers (80 cents for a newspaper is terribly expensive). If you miss it, go to 7-eleven and buy the cheapest item available, and request for a free Today.

3. Golden Rule: NEVER EVER BUY A BOOK. Borrow from library instead. Too far? Go to the nearest "library" called Popular, MPH, or Kinokuniya, and read there for 2 hours.

4. Buy 1 foot-long of Subway and ask the waiter to divide it into 2, for you and your friend. That way, you will save at least $1.50.

5. Talking about bread, do you know the CHEAPEST bread loaf in Singapore? It is the ever famous 1 dollar FairPrice bread that can last for at least 6 breakfast. That's 17 cents per breakfast. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

6. GET MARRIED and produce LOTS of kids. Gym membership allows your spouse and children to enter the gym for FREE. Damn worth it!

7. Stay up late in the office to make phone calls using office phones. Never use your handphone. Bonus: Boss will think that you are hardworking.

8. Search the word "sale" using google at least once in every 3 days.

9. Get free discount cards, everywhere. Popular bookstore, John Little, Metro, OG, you name it.

10. Go to bed early. If you wake up late and need to take cab to work, the whole week's cheapskate efforts will go to waste.