Energizing My Day..

Gimme Your Dark Side! - a question

2009-05-03T18:48:00.013+08:00

I got an E-mail from a person who happened to read my humble blog.

Question: It seems that your blog only represents your so-called bright side and not your dark side? Isn't it a bit unfair? -someone-

My respond:
It's good to listen that my blog radiates brightness, and as a matter of fact, it's the purpose of this blog to lighten up - otherwise I won't give the title of Energizing My Day (just call it Gloom My Day - brilliant!)

However, I understand very well that I am just a human - with all my weakness and limitations. For example, in this post, I wrote how I could be disappointed with some of the best friends I have ever had. In this post, I became super angry towards people who are often late. I didn't hide my troubled past and far-from-perfect background here. Like a striptease show, I bare everything. Yes, everything. No make-up, no photoshop, no mask - welcome to my life.

However, from the every beginning I understand that it's the purpose of this blog - to Energize My Day, and hopefully also Your Day. We live in a gloomy world, with all the gloomy people. Why make it even gloomier my dear friend?

That's all I have. Be positive, be happy, be grateful for everything we have. And...

THANK GOD TOMORROW IS MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well... :p

One Thing (or Two) I learned from Rope-Pulling Competition

2009-04-28T09:23:00.006+08:00

"We are judged by what we do and how we do it... no matter how small and insignificant that thing might be."

Yes, I believe in that sentence. How we do something determines how we do everything in life. How we treat waiters in the restaurant, how we act on our appointments including casual dinner with friends, and how we say thank-you to the auntie cleaners (or maybe, no thank-you at all, or maybe we are wondering "hey, how come the floor is always clean without any people cleaning it?" gee..)

For me, I always finish whatever I start, and I mean, finish well.

Last Sunday we had "Rope Pulling Competition" or whatever they call it in English. I signed up for it, and if that competition were a Champions League match, I won't be the Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. I train hard in the gym, but yeah, maybe I am not genetically muscular, so, well. To make the long story short, I am noone in that competition.

Except for one thing....

I never give up. I always enter a competition with one thing in mind: I am going to win. I give my best (and maybe my best is not enough, but who.bloody.CARES?).

We won our first two matches and we entered the top 6 out of 24 teams. That is quite an achievement if we look at our team: all Asians, noone is particularly big and muscular.

Even when we finally lose to the team who finally topped the whole competition, we lose with our face straight looking at our teams' eyes: proud and satisfied...

And as for me, I know myself too well. When I had a 2-hour non-stop badminton match, I will run for 2 hours. I will catch the shuttlecock wherever it goes even when I need to fall down and get hurt, that's perfectly alright. So whenever I finish something, be it a badminton match or a Rope Pulling competition; be it an exam or a job; be it a 1/2-million-dollar project or a simple speech, I always tap myself on my shoulder, and tell myself:

"Ben, I am so proud of you.Really, Really Proud"

P.S:

Happy Birthday Regina...

You two are one of the sweetest couples I have ever met (Tom and Katie Cruise not included :D)

Acceptance

2009-04-18T21:52:00.003+08:00

There might be times when we felt that no matter how hard we tried, our society just can't accept us. In 23 years of my life, I have seen countless of so-called good boys or girls who turned naughty just to be accepted by their community. Some tried too hard to be popular, and some who failed finally had to rely on shortcuts like free sex and drugs.

And I know how it feels. I come from a family which is 100 miles from being harmonious, and I know how important the feeling of acceptance is. And given that kind of background, it's perfectly reasonable for me to turn into that kind of people, who are dying just to be accepted.

I know how it feels to have to depend on sleeping pills just to be able to sleep. I perfectly understand how it feels when troubles seem so big that jumping from the 6th floor of university dormitory seems to be the easiest and the least painful way.

Given the kind of acting ability, despite all the troubled past, I was able to hide all the problems behind my back, faking my smile, and appeared that I am the most blessed and problem-free person. Sometimes I didn't only have double personality syndrome, I had many - so many until I lost count. And let me tell you, we can pretend well at some occasions. We can pretend not-so-well at many occasions. However, pretending well at all occasions is just so freaking tiring - something that I did for more than 1 year, perfectly well.

And if not because of God's grace, maybe I had already given up my dream. However, I continued to pursue it, doing lots of things other probably could only dream of - graduating from one of the best universities in Asia, getting multiple job offers long before I graduated, and many other things (read my previous posts).

And I have just realized.. some people try too hard to be accepted. Maybe I tried the hardest... failed, injured, and was left disappointed.

If I were to learn from the mistakes, I would conclude my post with this very beautiful quote:

"God, give me the strength to change the things I can change, the courage to accept the things I can't change, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Some things in life are better left untouched.

Just because I am no longer 18...

2009-04-11T22:58:00.009+08:00

When I was 18 years old, everything seems to happen so slow.

When I am 23, everything seems to be too fast. And when I look back, I always wonder "What the heck have I done for the past 5 years?"

This morning I read China Daily and read that a 22-year-old college student from Wisconsin USA was elected as city mayor. And realizing that I am 1 year older than him and have accomplished nothing in life left me feeling so useless.

However, when I reflected back.. let's say I can live until 80 years old. The journey I have done so far is just over a quarter of it. If my life were a football match, it is not even half-time and for most football matches I watched, the first half of the match is boring. Manchester United scored twice in the last few minutes when they won their Champions league in 1999 and when they won it again last season, the last few minutes period was also the decision factor.

Nevertheless, I think life is short and if I imagine in the last few minutes of my life, I will be asking questions like whether I am satisfied with the life I have.

Maybe I am no longer 18 not even close to that, but I think, never in my life I am feeling so energized. Never in my life I want to (once-again) conquer the world. And never in my life I am feeling so blessed to have some of the finest things in life which can't be bought by money, and some which can be bought by money.

Maybe I am no longer 18, but who.bloody.cares.

P.S. :
1.Friends, thanks for a meaningful 23th birthday.

2. I am going to have a blog in Chinese. Do leave a message or send me an E-mail to suggest for the URL name of my chinese blog :)

3. Some of the finest things in life are FREE. One of those is salvation. Jesus Christ has died for us sinners so we can be saved. Happy Easter and may the spirit of Easter reminds us that we are indeed very, very blessed.

From Guang Zhou with Love

2009-02-20T21:32:00.001+08:00

Surprise! Surprise! I know you have been waiting for this post for SO FREAKING LONG. I know that! thanks.. :D I arrived in Guang Zhou 2 days ago and this is my first time writing in my beloved blog... in an internet cafe full of people smoking although there are signs "No Smoking" everywhere.

I am freezing, it's FREAKING COLD here (people, whoever you are, who write in whatever space in this internet that Guang Zhou is hot all year long, I demand your explanation!). You won't believe that you are freezing at 12noon. But I like the weather here. People here have very good skin complexion generally because of this cold weather.

People, when you read something about China which is written by so-called experts, don't believe anything. The only way to experience the real China is by booking your air ticket now and Just Freaking Flying baby! After that, fake your accent so people think that you are a chinese, and dress like what a chinese usually dresses (which means, don't iron your clothes, never.)

First and foremost, China people are not rude like what people say. During 3 days in Guang Zhou, I met lots of friendly people, from a pretty customer service assistant at Bank of China to the auntie who sells "branded goods" for a living. And trust me, her Louis Vuitton, Burberry and such are good, at least good enough for what you pay for. Fifteen yuan for a "Burberry" passport wallet, well, what can you expect?

Second, Guang Zhou is not a cheap place to live at. Not at all. It is almost as expensive as Singapore. The food here is slightly better than Singapore. BUT. It's not HEAVENLY GOOD like what some people told me.

Third, is it just me or my chinese gets so good until I can't believe it myself. When I just arrived, and was going from airport to my university, I could chat with the taxi uncle and he seemed to understand most of what I told him. There are only two options: first, my chinese got better by a lot just by going to Guang Zhou airport toilet, and second, he is a superb actor. I hope the former is right.

Oh, what else should I write? Oh yes, Fourth, Guang Zhou Metro is like Singapore MRT. Sorry Singapore, but I must say, this Metro is almost as good as Singapore MRT and faster (comparing the fare, it's just 1/3 of what you pay in Singapore). It's much better and cleaner than the one in Kuala Lumpur, and just give this city a few more years, this city is going to be unbelievable.

And Fifth, don't believe when people say you should NEVER go to Guang Zhou if you want to learn Chinese because people there speak Cantonese. Guang Zhou people speak mostly chinese just with a slight accent, and there is no reason why it can't stand against Beijing or Shanghai as a place to learn chinese.

OK, when I get my internet application approved next Wednesday, I shall post some photos. A person beside me is smoking like hell and I can't stand it.

And Singapore, I miss you like crazy.

5 hours

2009-02-17T15:23:00.004+08:00

Wohoo... I and my negotiation skill. I exchanged SGD to RMB today and a bit sweet talk (and some winks for course :D) could save me RMB300 - save that for a trip to Hong Kong for free :D

I know I am irresistible... *wink*

It's just over 5 hours before my flight...

13 Hours

2009-02-17T07:53:00.004+08:00

Everything is ready. Clothes, books, toiletries, documents, shoes (Gosh, I don't know that I have 7 pairs of shoes). Total packing time: 5 hours.

When I go for a short few-days trip, I just need 2 hours max to pack up my stuffs, and to move from one country to another, yes, 5 hours - that's all I need :)

By this time tomorrow, I will be on the way from Bangkok to Guang Zhou, no sleep tonight. I hope the placement test doesn't take place tomorrow because that would mean I will perform way below my standard due to the lack of sleep (I mean, no sleep at all). However, if that's the case, I would rely on my trusted friend - Red Bull (don't know what they call it in China.)

This morning, I had a short walk around my house and felt that Singapore is very beautiful. I know I am being biased - we think something is so good when we are about to lose it or already lost it (Ever seen someone being accused and blamed at their funeral?)

This has been a wonderful 5 years, in a small country I now already call "home".

The Truth About Words

2009-02-15T15:37:00.005+08:00

My dear friend,
It is sometimes hurtful to know the truth. However, not knowing the truth is even sadder (I would prefer to know that I am ugly like shit than thinking I am a Brad Pitt which is a self-delusion at its best.)

I believe that whatever comes out from our mouth is what we will be judged from. Just like when we are not to shit anywhere except inside toilets, it's just a common sense that we just say something positive and uplifting, not over-promise and under-deliver, ecetera ecetera.

I am well-known to be very straightforward and sometimes, extremely blunt. No, backstabbing people is not in my life's dictionary. I would rather stab them straight on their face, which is at least 1000 times more fun. So, if there are some words which are just too harsh to accept, I am terribly sorry.

Updates:
2 days to go, and it's just SO FUCKING HARD to leave this place with all its amazing people. I will definitely miss you guys so much!

P.S. I am writing this post inside NTU hall of residence 2's computer room. This place brings back lots of memories of my first year of university education. Yes, a cute, fat, happy, and naive me. I am now getting slimmer, even cuter (awww...), less happy, but still as naive as ever.

Time flies huh...

A Life Without Regret

2009-02-15T12:49:00.007+08:00

Because we only live once, why not make it a great one?

Why can't we seize each and everyday as if It were our last? Loving and expressing our love to someone we really love as if we don't have another chance? And working hard and playing hard as if we were in a reality show called "How Interesting is Your Life?"?

Sure we have lots of regrets. I have so many regrets in life that I can write a book on it. However, I choose to live my life as a glass half-full instead of half-empty, and this is my life, the best I could give, and the best God could ever think of.

Even if I die tomorrow in a plane crash, I can proudly tell God in heaven.. "God, I am done, no regret." ... and if I were to choose, I would choose a great 23 years than an average 93 years.

Updates

2009-02-13T23:37:00.006+08:00

Tomorrow might be my last match (or probably was it last week?). With my 0-2 record, I don't expect too much that I will be playing.

However, if the captain asks me to play, I will definitely give my everything (I always say, maybe my best is not good enough, but who bloody cares baby???). Anyways, there's not much difference between 0-2 and 0-3 record, so I have nothing to lose. It's like playing against Manchester United. If you lose, that's okay. If you win, wow, that's something. And I always play very well without any expectation whatsoever, so... expect a masterpiece tomorrow! hehe... :D

I will be also preparing as emcee for IG closing ceremony tomorrow. With such a good respond from people I met after Opening Ceremony, there will be high expectation towards me. So, it's not easy to be better than something which is already quite great. I must think outside the box and exceed people's expectation one more time.

OK, 4 days to go. I am learning Chinese all the time now, and I can smell Guang Zhou 1600 miles away.

Small note, my body fat percentage reaches the lowest point in 2 years, 14.3% from 15.7% last month with body muscle increases slightly from 80.5% last month to 81.5%. According to the experts, it's quite good, but if I remember correctly, last time I could reach 12% or around there. I know I am older now, but if I could achieve it last time, there's no reason for me not to be able to achieve it this time.

Haha... now going to shower. Cya!!!

6 days

2009-02-12T00:26:00.003+08:00

Oh My God, by this time 6 days from now, I will be transiting in Bangkok while waiting for the next day's flight to Guang Zhou. It's hard to leave Singapore, a place which I have called "home" for the past 5 years. It's indeed very very hard.

However, as Brad Pitt said in his movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, our life is defined by its opportunities, including the ones we missed. I don't want 15 years from now, looking back at this opportunity and regretting not to take it up.

People call it "culture shock" not without reasons. There will be lots of differences between Singapore and Guang Zhou, and someone like me who speaks limited Mandarin will need to struggle to survive, but well, I know myself too well. If a newspaper commissions me to go to The Middle East to report a war there, I can fly there as early as tonight. That's how fearless I am.

OK, wish me all the best and miss me like crazy :D

Kids These Days...

2009-02-09T16:51:00.001+08:00

First Kid

When I read my Mandarin book on the way back home, trying to memorize some chinese characters from a book titled "Fun With Chinese Characters", a small boy aged around 10 or 11 started to read from my book as well. And it seems that he could memorize those chinese characters faster than me.

If there were only two of us, I would find that boy cute. However, because the boy looked so excited looking at my book and there were so many people there, EVERYONE then started to look at my book as if there's a lucky number to win lottery or such. Oh, totally paiseh.

Second Kid

When I walked from Bukit Batok MRT to my home, I met a kid near the vending machine. OK, nothing strange... until I saw what he bought. He bought a RED BULL!!! Oh My Gosh, he is just 10 years old at most, and he already consumed something that I started drinking only when I was 18. I couldn't remember when was the first time I consumed coffee to help me stay awake, I think I was at least 15 or 16.

Oh, kids these days are totally different from when I was a kid. *sorry to sound so old =P*

My Second Loss

2009-02-08T19:53:00.004+08:00

First of all, for some friends who expressed their concerns toward me after I blogged about my disappointment yesterday, thanks so much, really appreciate that (this is not sarcasm, zhen de zhen de :)). People say, the true test for friendship is when one or all the parties are in their life's lowest point. Thanks for showing your true colours :)

Just a minor concern: When you promise that you will be coming for something, you better make sure you come, or give a valid reason. It's a small thing, but that decides whether you are trustworthy or not.

Well, I lost again for the second time out of two matches I did, that makes me in the tie-worst position in my team with 0-2 record, despite our team advanced to the semifinal and will be facing a mountain-high task against Malaysia. But this is sport and anything can happen in the court, so keep our fingers crossed ;)

I am not a politician, but I think for someone who can negotiate anything and persuade anyone to do whatever I want, I will just provide some explanations for my loss.

1. My eyesight is getting worse everyday. I think I am not ready to wear specs when playing bcoz my specs is not designed for sports. However, playing without a specs is indeed a disadvantage for me. I can't even look at the back of the opponent's court!

2. I was against the best player in the other team. If a club like Manchester City can have Robinho, I think there is no reason for any team not to have a star player, and sadly, that player was playing against me. My opponent also won against a star player from China, so well...

3. I was nervous. I think this is totally sad. Everytime I play badminton for fun, I play well.. but sadly, everytime I play in a competition, I play way below my standard.

4. 11-point rally really tortured me. I always feel that 21-point system is way better. I usually play not so well in the beginning of the set and improve as the game progresses when the opponent starts to get tired. However, 11-point system puts players like me into a disadvantage position (Taufik Hidayat also felt the same way, so this is a global concern). When I make 3 or 4 mistakes, that's almost half the set. Unbelievable.

However, despite all the explanations, I didn't escape from my responsibility although I played better today compared to yesterday. If yesterday I was at 50% of my maximum ability, today I rate myself at 75%. Hopefully next week if I play again, I can be at my 100%. Even if I lose (and that makes my record 0-3), I can be satisfied that I have given my best. Maybe my best is not good enough, but who bloody cares??

Oh well, it's over. It should be.

2009-02-07T19:11:00.006+08:00

I've learnt in life... we shouldn't cry over what's passed. When we are able to take lessons from our past mistakes, that's good enough. Noone is perfect (although I always say that I am noone).

Take a deep breath, curse and shout "FUCKKKKKK" as loud as you can, close your eyes... and *shuh* your sin is forgiven. Not successful? Run on a treadmill at 13km/hour, and run and run and run until you are out of breath and full of sweat (it's best if your knee is bleeding because of too much run, the feeling is SO FREAKING AWESOME). For me, it helps, a lot.

I never know it's that easy.

Where were you when I expected you to be there?

2009-02-07T14:48:00.011+08:00

Actually I wanted to make this post private, but I guess the purpose of this blog is to represent me, as the way I am - no make-up, no photoshop, no mask.

Well, my first badminton match this year after last year we grabbed 3 gold medals and 2 silver medals. This year is probably my last year playing, and that's why this is very important for me.

To make the long story short, I lost the match. Quite close, but losing is losing, and that's just sad.

Thanks for those who reminded me again and again that it was my fault that our team lost. Without you reminding me, I already felt very guilty, so thanks for pouring some salt on my wound, really appreciate your kind heart.

But what makes me even sadder is that... some people whom I expected to watch me playing were not there.

When I did emcee, noone was there among the audiences. Noone. I know it's 9 in the morning, but we usually get up before 7 when we work or have class, so to say that 9am is too early is just another excuse not to see, and that's just sad. I had been waiting and hoped that at least one of the people I expect to come showed up, but yes, I was left disappointed despite the great success. People I met said that we (my partner and I) did a great job emceeing, but yeah, some success are simply meaningless when there is noone to share with.

When we put so much emphasis on Saying Goodbye, why is it that during probably our last days together (I say "probably", who know my plane crashes, we will never know), some people are just not here?

I thought friends are to support each other in terms of happiness and sadness. Not just hanging out watching movies together, wasting money shopping, going to some stupid cafes, eating out, gossiping. Yes, those are fun, but hey, I can meet someone today and tomorrow we can watch movie or eating out together, so what's special?

Yes, and when I lost my match, some people were not there. Yes, two people showed up and I won't forget those for the rest of my life. For the rest, maybe it's not important for you, I don't know. Maybe you had something else to do like for example sleeping or such, I don't know. Or maybe watching people playing badminton is not fun, although for me, this was probably my last match and that's definitely very very important. And maybe this was my last two chance emceeing, and that's very very important. And I was left disappointed when some people just weren't there to support me.

OK, maybe this is 21st century, and friendship is just about watching movies together, shopping, gossiping totally useless stuffs like who marry who or who are gays, who are straight. Maybe I expect too high and therefore, disappointed.

I can't say if those people I expect to come really did come I would win the match. I will never know. I understand perfectly well that I am not Taufik Hidayat or Lin Dan. But when someone so ordinary like me playing for probably my last matches, and probably one of the last times emceeing, can't I expect some people who are so special in my life to be coming and cheer me even if I lost the match?

ANYWAYS, thanks for being so kind, and understanding, and attentive.

P.S. I am okay, it's over. No worries ;)

Addicted to Sports

2009-02-06T17:28:00.003+08:00

I don't smoke at all (no offence to smokers, but I have been trying so hard to find a reason why people say smoking is cool, but I really can't find any, gomen...).

The only addictions I have are luckily relatively good ones. I used to be addicted to work, and felt so panic when I have nothing to do. And I have just realized one thing.. that I am addicted to playing sports.

I know last time I played badminton to the extreme, playing 6 straight hours from 9 at night to 3 o'clock in the morning, and skipped the 9am class (don't blame me, blame the alarm clock, it didn't shout louder =P).

However, as I get older, fatter, and weaker (Gosh, those three words give me nightmare, can anyone please eliminate those words from English language?), I thought my addiction to playing sports has disappeared. Until today....

I went to gym at 10.30, had a gym session from 10.30 to 12.30 (no gossiping session, as there were only two persons in the gym and the other party was listening to ipod). After that as if I didn't exercise enough, I went to the treadmill machine and started running. I planned to run for 15 minutes, but then I felt SO FREAKING GOOD and decided I would run for another 10 minutes. I got addicted in running and couldn't stop it! Finally I ran for almost 1 hour straight.... and btw, that's after 2 hour of gym session. If my body fat percentage doesn't go down by 2%, God is really being unfair to me.

I almost wanted to take a shower, but the swimming pool outside gym was simply irresistible. I finally decided to swim for some laps, and at the end, I swam for about 1/2 hour. Well, I couldn't say that I am good at swimming. But at least in case of emergency, I can swim for 1/2 hour before some people notice that I am too cute to be left sunk. *wink*

Btw, talking about sports, if you are NTU students or alumni.. or simply anyone (can't find person who doesn't belong to this category =D), don't forget to come to NTU International Games 2009 Opening ceremony tomorrow (7th Feb 2009). There will be two cute emcees (one of those is me =P), lucky draw, and most importantly, lots and lots and lots of fun. The venue is NTU Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC), at 830am sharp.

See you there!

To Hell all the Latecomers!

2009-02-06T00:39:00.000+08:00

I hate people who like to be late without valid reason and without prior notice, they deserve a cozy place in hell - yes, hell with a view.

When I make appointment at 5 o'clock, I really mean 5, not 5.10 or 5.20. I always plan to come earlier, and I can wait because I always bring a book to read inside my bag. Nevertheless, I get very angry everytime someone is late even if he is late by 1 minute. I don't show it in my face because as I always said, I can act very well. But in heart, please rest assured I curse you like hell.

Come on, you are not the only one who is busy. Everyone is busy, so if I can make an effort to be on-time, why can't you?

I know people who have different background have their own standard regarding lateness. Some people feel that being late by 15 minutes is so-called "okay", and for some, being late by 1 hour is considered acceptable. Rubbish! That's one of the most stupid things I have ever heard. And let me tell you, if I were you, I would be terribly ashamed to be born in a society which tolerates lateness. Super terribly ashamed.

If someone is late, that means he doesn't value my precious time. And if someone doesn't value my precious time, he can't value me as an individual. I know it's just simple thing but in this world, we are continuously judged by every simple thing, and for some people, they have failed long time ago.

My 2 Talented Brothers

2009-02-04T00:09:00.005+08:00

My elder brother from US visited me in Singapore and that's the first time we met after a freaking 4 1/2 years!

I have just realized that here in my apartment, I don't have any plate, bowl, glass, fork, not to mention knife and frying pan. I only have one big cup and one spoon... and that's enough for me to survive! Gosh.

I always feel that I don't have any talent in cooking. Most of the times, lacking of talent is just a very nice way to express laziness. Well, I don't expect to be good in cooking if what I have are just one big cup and one spoon. The best I can make with those two items is cereal drink. Oh well...

My younger brother is getting more and more admirable everyday. He got a perfect GPA last semester - I am not surprised. He has got one of the finest natural talent in arts and design I have ever seen. However, what I feel most proud about him is that he has grown so much these years. I still remember a few years ago when he consulted me regarding his further education and now he is the one who gives me advices on my further education.

To be sandwiched by two very talented brothers makes me even more determined to achieve the very best in life. I am determined to be a millionaire before 30 years old, and willing to do anything to reach that. Anything that is legal, moral, and ethical.

It's about Friendship

2009-02-01T23:53:00.004+08:00

Friends, I know I am not the nicest person of earth (and never make it to New Year's resolution or any resolution whatsoever.)

I may throw sarcastic jokes like "I know I am fat but I can diet, while you are ugly and that's eternal... well, until you do a plastic surgery, but I guess they will need at least 1 litre of plastic to get a reasonably good product... oh wait, that's not environmentally friendly... well, just like your face which gives people a nightmare or two"

Ouch ouch ouch.

I know I may not be the best person to give any form of encouragement although I always try hard (sometimes too hard) to make anyone who comes to me feel better after he meets me.

However friends,

You know too well how important you are in my life. You know that you have a super VIP room in my heart that is so exclusive that other people can't afford to rent it, not to mention buy it. And you know that whenever you feel you need a listening ear (or a busybody to solve your problems forever, oh that's my speciality! =D), I am here.

God bless you all just like how He bless Barack Obama.

Type of Girl?

2009-01-27T23:20:00.012+08:00

I guess in this civilised society, being beautiful doesn't guarantee someone to be The Dream Girl. I am not trying to be shallow. I know physical attributes count, especially for the first few seconds. However, as time goes by, good personality counts more than just look.

As I was grilled by my friends what type of girl I like, I couldn't give a satisfactory answer on the spot, but I did think about that question and here is my answer.

I like a girl who has confidence. If she has the body of Britney Spears, that's great. However if what she has is the body of a pregnant Britney Spears, so what? Be confident. Please don't continuously tell us how fat you are.

1st case: If you are not fat at all. There is nothing more annoying in this world than a perfectionist.

2nd case: If you are indeed fat like an obese pig. We know that like, very well. Hence repeating so many times that you are fat won't help.

I love smart and knowledgeable girls. It's indeed frustrating to chat with someone with very little knowledge to begin with. Well, I don't expect someone to have the brain of Einstein, but please don't tell us:

1. That Tiger Woods is an animal.
2. That Barack Obama has some blood relation with Osama Bin Laden.
3. That Manchester United is the best soccer club in the world. No, it isn't! Juventus is. Haha I am being subjective =P

or such stupid statement like those. I know not everyone is blessed with smart brain, but some people really give up trying to upgrade themselves.

I love a girl with some ambitions. People without ambition bore me to death.

And lastly, funny girls definitely get my admiration. Someone who can crack up some smart jokes or laugh at themselves sometimes (Come on, noone is perfect, so why must we be so tensed-up with our imperfection?). I think being around someone with good sense of humour is indeed a blessing.

I want to end this post by quoting a very beautiful prayer:

"God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference."

Skin colour, bone structure, family background, place of birth - those things we can't change. I myself have a fair skin no matter how hard I try (I did kayaking for 9 straight hours under hot sun, and my skin didn't get any tanner), and as a matter of fact, I had accepted that reality long time ago.

Some things in life we can change - our future, our potential life partner, etc. Why not we focus on those things instead?

Indeed, someone who can love herself unconditionally is stunningly very attractive. I spent 3 full years waiting for this type of girl after finally gave up. Even until now, I still insist that the 3-year is "the time worth spent."

Eat these and Happy Lose Weight! (hint: Oranges are inside)

2009-01-26T07:36:00.002+08:00

Wow, knowledge really IS power. I know long time ago that a piece of cake provides calorie equivalent to 4 big apples although the later definitely cures hunger better than the former. However, this new piece of knowledge absolutely shocked me. I was totally blown away!

Ready to hear this piece of good news?

Some foods are actually negative calorie foods; means: Energy needed for our body to process it is more than energy that particular food provides to the body. Means: The more you eat it, the more you lose weight. If that's not a piece of good news, I don't know what is.

Anyways, this is the list of that wonder group of food.

List of Negative Calorie Foods

asparagus
beet
broccoli
green cabbage
carrot
cauliflower
celery root
celery chicory
hot chili peppers
cucumber
dandelion
endive
garden cress
garlic
green beans
zucchini

apple
cranberries
grapefruit
lemon mango
orange
pineapple raspberries
strawberries
tangerine
lamb's lettuce
lettuce
onion
papaya
radishes
spinach
turnip

Well, so you don't need to stick with just that boring spinach or onion. Pick and choose and let me know if you are ready to buy smaller size of jeans.

Btw, if you don't know how to start, don't you notice that orange is inside the list? So why not eating those oranges someone gave you for Chinese New Year?

Source: here and here

In the process to find my own Hillary Clinton

2009-01-24T00:28:00.011+08:00

It really bothers me when someone asked me about this girl or that girl... It's not that I am too choosy when it comes to dating. But seriously speaking, I am no longer a 15 or 16 year-old teenager whom you can spot at Bugis Junction buying funky clothes, or at Cineleisure watching movies. I am a grown soon-to-be 23 year old. Working full-time, with mountain-high ambition to be a millionaire before 30. Yup that's me.

I have learned the hard way how a bad choice of girlfriend can potentially be dangerous for my wallet, health and soul... and decided that picking a girlfriend is a serious matter, which requires deep thoughts and some self-reflection - and ah yes, professional advice.

And mind you, a girlfriend is not just someone who can accompany you for dinner, movies, and such. She must share what you believe in, and must be able to support you (and you support her), believe that you can achieve whatever you want... and work with you to get what you want (and you help her to get what she wants).

Behind every successful man, there is a supportive woman. When Bill Clinton did some affairs with Monica Lewinsky, he better thanked God that he has a wife like Hillary. She knew Bill was wrong, but she accepted it with a big heart. That saved Bill's reputation and until now, Bill is still one of the most respected US presidents ever despite his mistake. Hillary also has a very successful career in politics, became senator and almost made it to US' number one. Now she is the Secretary of State. I can't imagine if Hillary couldn't forgive Bill.... cried, asked for divorce... ah, loser!

And before I find my own Hillary Clinton, I guess being single is ultimately the best choice. How if I can't find my Hillary? No worries, I don't mind settling with my own Michelle Obama. Oh, can she dance! =)

Pictures + Updates!!!

2009-01-23T00:39:00.013+08:00

We were at TCC Orchard. I was with 1 guy and 1 girl who will make perfect ambassadors for anti-aging cream or supplement (I am totally jealous, how can you guys be so forever young??!)

UPDATES:
NTU students, International Games 2009 (IG2009 in short) is coming, bigger and better. With 14 sports and recreation games (including tennis, DOTA, Counter Strike, athletics, and badminton among others...), I am sure this is gonna be the best IG EVER!

I was asked by its Chairperson, Clement Zichri Ang to be the emcee for opening and closing ceremony (which is just 1 day before I fly to Guang Zhou on 16 Feb). My partner for this year's IG would be Linsien, a lovely young lady. This year's IG will be my third consecutive year I become the emcee after IG2008 and IG2007 on which I was the vice-chairperson.

If you haven't registered for this event, you can do so here. A free T-shirt will be given out and hey, I don't know the price of that T-shirt, but I know the price of HAVING FUN is simply priceless.

Guys, you really must come to this event. There will be lots of freebies, lots of fun, lots of beautiful gals and handsome guys.... and most importantly, it's not everyday you can see me on stage emceeing and in court playing badminton =P

See you there!

Negotiation skill is an art

2009-01-22T00:27:00.005+08:00

Sometimes I think that I am blessed with excellent negotiation skill ("blessed" is a humble way to say it, in fact, I worked on it for years.)

From free spa voucher to over $120,000 of sponsorship money, from going to eating place I want to flexible working hours. The most recent one is when I asked for additional gold medals for a competition I join (from 8 medals to 18, what I need is ONE E-mail, that's it =))

I get them all. I get almost everything I want, exactly the way I want them. What I need to do is just asking (everything is just a wink away =D).

Some people call it manipulation, but I beg to differ. I think negotiation skill is not the same as manipulation. It's a fine art. It's giving people what they want in exchange with what we want. People want to feel good (through recognition, praise, etc) and in the same time, they are afraid to appear stupid and powerless.

And that makes me totally irresistible *wink*

Kaka: I listened to my heart to stay at Milan

2009-01-21T09:52:00.005+08:00

Kaka says he has 'listened to his heart' in deciding to stay at AC Milan and rejecting a world-record breaking move to Manchester City.

The Premier League club's audacious bid to sign the Brazilian star in a £100million-plus deal collapsed on Monday night after Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi confirmed Kaka was staying at the San Siro.

City later claimed that they had withdrawn from the negotiations, but the player himself made it clear that he made the decision of own accord.

"I feel great in a place where everybody loves me and I'm very happy to stay," he told Italian TV. "My family were great allowing me to take the decision independently. I never argued with my father, as somebody wrote. I have listened to my heart as many people advised me to do.

"At Milan there are many wonderful people like [Berlusconi] and Leonardo, who is much more than a director for me, he is a real friend.

"I have never asked for a raise in my salary and I will never do. Milan were always nice to me raising my salary whenever they felt it was fair to do it. I can only thank them for this.

"After Saturday's game many people showed me their support, I have received drawings by kids trying to convince me to stay. It was wonderful. I remember when I left Sao Paolo some fans protested against me, here they all stand by my side instead.

"I'm currently celebrating this decision at home with a couple of friends. I'm a religious person and I believe the path God decides for us is not always the most logical one.

"Milan had never considered any offer for me in the past. This time it was different and I had to think about it but then I decided to stay. My team-mates were incredible. They all tried to tell me something and stay close to me in this period.

"I haven't been a Manchester City player not even for one minute."

Kaka also told AC Milan TV that he had prayed to God to find the right decision, saying: ''I believe I have made the right choice. To have gone to Manchester City could have been a great project but in the past few days I have prayed a lot to understand what the right team would be and in the end I have decided to remain here.

''I don't want anything else, I just want to be well and be happy in the place where people love me.

''From this story I have understood how people love me at Milan, the fans and my team-mates have helped me make this choice.''

Former Middlesbrough star Juninho said Kaka, whom he played with for Brazil, was more interested in medals than money.

Juninho told the Daily Telegraph: ''He will want to be the FIFA world player of the year again and that will mean he wants to play for a team that is winning titles and competing in the Champions League.

''Everyone knew that it would not only be money that Kaka was concerned about. He would have wanted to be confident about the plan for the future at Manchester City. He would want big players to be involved. It's not just about the money.

''He would have wanted to see what opportunities there were at Manchester City and decide what he wants because to be honest for them to become a club like AC Milan it would take a long, long time. It would not have taken three or four years but a lot longer for them to become as strong as AC Milan.''

Source: soccernet.com

Kaka, My Kaka...

In this materialistic world where money can turn everything around, it's indeed very relieving to see someone who is not only blessed with incredible talent, but also a heart made of gold, a super quality loyalty, and an unshakable faith in God.

...

2009-01-19T22:35:00.004+08:00

Since when a "bye" is good so people call it "goodbye"?

*background music: Air Supply's Goodbye"

By this time next month, I will be in Guang Zhou.

Au revoir, take care, miss me like crazy... because I will miss you all!

Hug, Kiss, Love,

The one and only Benny Pandowo

Love Quote of The Day

2009-01-19T11:36:00.007+08:00

"When you love someone, let her go. If she comes back, she is meant to be yours forever. If she doesn't, wish her all the happiness...

... Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offense.

... Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things"

Life Irony / Ironi Hidup

2009-01-18T22:20:00.008+08:00

There are millions of people do abortion, and millions others will do anything to be able to give birth to a child.

Ada jutaan orang melakukan aborsi, dan jutaan lainnya bersedia melakukan apapun supaya bisa melahirkan anak.

Some people only say "I love you" during wedding and funeral.

Beberapa orang hanya pernah berkata "Saya mencintaimu" saat pernikahan dan upacara pemakaman.

It takes tens of years to build trust, and seconds to destroy it... and we only need suspicion, not facts.

Untuk membangun kepercayaan dibutuhkan puluhan tahun, dan hanya beberapa detik untuk menghancurkannya... dan yang kita butuhkan hanyalah kecurigaan, bukan fakta.

If people put so much emphasis on first love, why only few first loves turn into marriage?

Kalau orang begitu menekankan cinta pertama, mengapa hanya sedikit cinta pertama yang berlanjut sampai pernikahan?

We realize how much we need something after we lose it.

Kita menyadari betapa kita membutuhkan sesuatu hanya setelah kita kehilangannya.

People realize something is wrong, but do it anyway.

Orang menyadari bahwa sesuatu itu salah, tetapi tetap melakukannya

In many parts of the world, the word "CHRISTmas" is much more popular than "CHRIST".

Di banyak tempat di dunia, kata "Natal" jauh lebih populer dibanding kata "Kristus"

Some people try too hard to impress someone who actually doesn't give a damn.

Beberapa orang berusaha terlalu keras untuk mengambil hati seseorang yang sebenarnya sama sekali tidak peduli.

In sports competition, the difference between $100,000 and $10,000 is sometimes just 0.01 sec.

Di perlombaan olahraga, perbedaan antara (hadiah) $100,000 dan $10,000 kadang hanyalah 0,01 detik.

When we are still students, we want to go to work soon. And after we start working, we realize that indeed schooldays are the happiest days.

Ketika kita masih belajar, kita ingin cepat-cepat kerja. Dan setelah kita mulai kerja, kita menyadari bahwa masa sekolah adalah masa yang terindah.

Some 18-year old carry themselves as if they are 30, and some 30-year old just never seem to

grow up.

Beberapa orang yang berumur 18 tahun bisa membawa diri mereka seperti umur 30 tahun, dan beberapa orang yang berumur 30 tahun sepertinya tidak pernah tambah dewasa.

We celebrate our birthdays with great parties without realizing that we are 1 year closer to death.

Kita merayakan ulang tahun besar-besaran tanpa menyadari bahwa kita 1 tahun lebih dekat ke kematian.

Some parents wait for more than 10 years for the next "I love you" their children say.

Beberapa orang tua menunggu lebih dari 10 tahun untuk kalimat "saya sayang kamu" selanjutnya dari anak-anak mereka.

We treat some friends like family members and some family members like total strangers.

Kita memperlakukan beberapa teman seperti anggota keluarga, dan memperlakukan anggota keluarga seperti orang asing.

We work so hard to accumulate wealth and neglecting our health, and in our old days, we use our wealth just to restore our health.
Kita bekerja keras mencari uang dan mengabaikan kesehatan kita, dan di masa tua kita, kita menghabiskan uang hanya untuk mengembalikan kesehatan kita.

And the most ironic of all...

Beauty fades, but dumbness remains

Kecantikan memudar, tetapi kebodohan adalah abadi.

By: Benny Pandowo

My Friend series: The one and only one Kartika Widianti

2009-01-13T00:05:00.016+08:00

It's great to be my friends, you will get the chance to be formally introduced (Read: humiliated). You can read my previous My Friend series at my older posts.

Andy Warhol said "In the future everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame". For this special friend of mine, your 15 minute might be now. Enjoy!

BIODATA

Name : Kartika Widianti (pronounced as Car-Tee-Kuh Wee-Dee Aunty) or Tika in short.

At our "honeymoon", we were tourists in our own country =D

Age : 24 or 36 or 48. She told me her Chinese horoscope sign is Ox, so her age is either 24 or 36 (or 48 maybe?) this year, not easy to guess huh?

Sign : everyone is welcome

Hobby : shopping, bitching, reading magazine

Hometown: same as Ronald Haryanto, Purwokerto (a city, famous for its maids =D)

FAVOURITE:

- Food : Anything with 3 spoonfuls of chili

- Band : The Ting Tings

- Magazine: Cosmo and such

- Shops : TOPSHOP, ZARA, River Island, Ted Baker, and the mightiest of all, Marc Jacobs

- Film : gay porn

- Personal Trainer : California Fitness' TANK

- Actor : Benny Pandowo.

- Friend : Benny Pandowo. Her crush, Yulia Tudy comes second.

- Blogger : Benny Pandowo. In the 2nd and 3rd position: Perez Hilton and Bryanboy.

OKAY, I think it's not fair if one person dominates the list although he deserves it.

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

- "Just like CK underwear when it comes to magazine, nothing comes between me and my magazine."

- "I think he is gay" - a standard comment for a handsome hearthrob who hasn't married after 30 years old

- "I don't like chinese movies, I can't stand the way they talk"

- "That boy is very noisy, he deserves to DIE"

- "He looks good in that piece of clothes.. but I think he looks better if he is naked"

and the ever-famous....

- "Majorly infatuated with........" (hey, why not make it patented?)

My 2 cents about Religion

2009-01-11T23:37:00.006+08:00

Disclaimer: Opinions I mention below are just my personal opinions. I do not represent any religious group whatsoever.

I was not born in a catholic family although my 2 brothers are both catholic. We went to catholic school and as the result of it, we became catholic. Until now, both my parents are still not catholic, and although my mother has not been baptised yet, she prays very often everyday, maybe more than what I do in a few days.

Despite that seemingly very normal process of becoming a catholic, I believe in God and I believe that nothing is coincidental in this world. I believe that God has planned that I went to catholic school and as a result, becoming a catholic.

My spiritual life has experienced ups and downs (although the "ups" are not very fantastic I must say). I behave like what a catholic usually do (not what he should do). We attend church to avoid feeling guilty, we seldom or never read the bible, and we don't do much religious activities besides going to church. In short, I think I wouldn't be the first person anyone would think of someone very religious, although I don't think I would be the last also.

Although I have never been too close to God, I know I love Him, He loves me, and I can speak to Him whenever I need to. Borrowing a banking term, maybe I am God's privilege customer (so are you my friend, He never does mass-market banking and His call hotline doesn't require you to wait for 1 hour, talking to that stupid machine operator.)

Some of the happiest and most successful people I know are very religious. Some of them are very active in church, some of them in mosque, and some of them are Buddhists at its best. I believe there is a place in our heart that can be filled by God only, and not by money, car, or sex. I used to read bible everyday and I reckon those days are the happiest days in my life although ironically, during that time, I experienced some of my darkest days with lots of problems and whenever I saw from level 6 at my dormitory, I wanted to commit suicide.

One day, that suicide thought appeared again in my mind, and as usual, I refused to cry. Boys don't cry. However, I felt that God touched my heart so strongly that I cried and couldn't stop it. I felt God talked to me..

"Ben, I know it has been hard for you, but those problems appear not without any reason whatsoever. I want to prepare you to be stronger than ever before. I want to see you touch souls and lives, and be my witness. You can cry, in fact you should cry if you think that will make you better. But don't give up Ben. I am with you. ALWAYS."

I know I may not be the best person to talk about God, but if you have experienced something like that, it's difficult not to talk about it. I know in daily conversation, we are not supposed to talk much about religion. People nowadays don't want to be too involved in religion, maybe because they think that religion is old-fashioned and people don't want to be called hypocrite because they don't do what they preach. However, I personally believe that we don't need to be a Saint to talk about God, and I make my stand clear, I CHOSE TO be baptised in catholic church 10 years ago and for me, that means promise. Promise to serve God, promise to be different, and promise to answer my calling.

I know some people don't like when I blog about something religious, but ladies and gentlemen, this is the nuts and bolts of my life with all the good things and imperfections. I am not interested in pleasing everyone and be popular. It's always the true intention of this blog - to write about myself in the most honest way: no make-up, no photoshop, no mask. This is my life and in case you don't know: in my life, I am in-charge.

I find high-heel shoes to be very ridiculous

2009-01-11T00:02:00.002+08:00

Dear Diary, I always find it very uncomfortable when I see a woman wearing high-heel shoes so uncomfortably that it makes people around them feel very uncomfortable. Well, some gals wear it so stunningly elegant, but we all know there must be an exception in everything.

Gals, why must you torture yourself by wearing that kind of ridiculous shoes and walk like a robot, just in this case, a high-maintenance one?

Well, I know everyone wants to look pretty and tall. However, COME ON. Is it just me or everyone will see one's height THEN SUBTRACTING WITH THE HEIGHT OF THE HEEL, then get an idea of how tall someone is. So, don't ya think wearing high-heel shoes is a bit unnecessary? And somemore, expensive?

And please, when you are as tall as or even taller than your boyfriend, don't wear high-heel shoes for the sake of your boyfriend's ego. We men have high ego (for me, it's super high). So, can you gals please appear a bit short, a bit stupid, and a bit weak in front of us? We will definitely appreciate your kind heart.

Teman-Teman Saya Memang Unik (part 3)

2009-01-08T22:35:00.003+08:00

Kadang bingung juga yah punya temen yang:

1. Cowok autis penyuka masak dan bercocok tanam
2. Bitchy Banci, seksualitasnya diragukan, penggemar felem bokep gay
3. Haram muharam. Spesialis gaya menjijikan saat dipoto
4. Babi hamil --> lebih haram soalnya hamil di luar nikah
5. Jayus --> Well, ini yang paling normal setelah saya

Teman-teman saya memang unik. Saya sih normal-normal sajah ^^

An Evening at The Daily Mass

2009-01-08T19:48:00.003+08:00

As I was about to stand to read the bible at the church, I looked at the churchgoers. It was my first time becoming a lector (person who reads the bible, hymn, and the Alleluia). I have done lots of public speaking in the past, so I was not too nervous (of course, the nervous feeling was still there). I prayed to God to give me a calm heart, so my voice later won't shake too much. So that even if I feel nervous, people won't be able to see it.

Then I heard God said to me.

"Ben, thanks so much for volunteering your time. I am very proud of you, but remember, this is MY "show", not YOURS."

Ouch.

What was I thinking? I only thought of doing well in the bible reading, so I could speak clearly and ultimately, WOWed the people with my perfect English. Is that even important at all? This is a mass, and at mass, God's name is glorified, not my name.

As I stood, I prayed to God again, but this time was different. "God, I prayed so that Your words I am going to read can touch people's hearts and lives."

I was still nervous and my hands were shaking, but I know in my heart, I have done my best and I am sure God knows it.

Anyways, this is the bible passage I read.

A reading from the first letter of St John

We are to love,
because God loved us first.
Anyone who says, ‘I love God’,
and hates his brother,
is a liar,
since a man who does not love the brother that he can see
cannot love God, whom he has never seen.
So this is the commandment that he has given us,
that anyone who loves God must also love his brother.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ
has been begotten by God:
and whoever loses the Father that begot him
loves the child whom he begets.
We can be sure that we love God’s children
if we love God himself and do what he has commanded us;
this is what loving God is –
keeping his commandments;
and his commandments are not difficult,
because anyone who has been begotten by God
has already overcome the world;
this is the victory over the world –
our faith.

The word of the Lord.

God loves you, and me, and them.

Gosip yuk gosip....

2009-01-08T09:24:00.003+08:00

"Eh lu tahu gak Vi kalau si Mayang jadian ama si Bambang?"

"Ihhh... yang bener luuuu? Masak sih???"

"Lu kayak gak tahu reputasi gue, emang gue pernah salah bikin gosip?"

"Ya gak pernah sih, tapi gila aja yahh masak si Mayang mau ya sama si Bambang."

"Biasa aja lah, si Mayang paling juga bentar lagi bosen pacaran ama si Bambang."

"Gimana lu bisa tahu? SOTOY yah?"

"MATIII DEHHHH... LU SERIUS GAK TAHU KALAU SI BAMBANG ITU GAY????? SATU SEKOLAH UDAH TAU KALEEEEE!"

.... *speechless*

"Eh, terus nurut lu apa yang bikin si Mayang mau pacaran sama si Bambang kalau dia tahu kalau Bambang itu pecinta pria?"

"MATIIIII DEHHHHHH..... LU SERIUS GAK TAHU KALAU SI MAYANG ITU MATA DUITAN???? SATU SEKOLAH UDAH TAHU KALEEEEEEEE!"

... *speechless*

"Ah, cowok tajir macem Bambang mah banyak non, mana perlu cari yang udah pasti hombreng??"

"MATTIIIIIIII DEHHHHHHH..... LU SERIUS GAK TAHU KALAU SI BAMBANG ITU GUOBLOGGGGHHNYA MINTA AMPYUN, DIA COWOK PALING GAMPANG BUAT DITIPU!!! SATU SEKOLAH UDAH TAHU KALEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

Buat teman-teman sayah inisial T, Y, dan I, happy gossiping gals! =P

NB: Daripada menggosip, gue sih pilih digosipin saja. Gosipin gih gue dengan Angelina Jolie, biar harga stock gue naik setelah rendah banget gara-gara financial crisis.

A Cuppa Earl Grey Tea in The Morning

2009-01-06T09:34:00.009+08:00

I used to think that in life, there are only 2 options:
- I get what I want by default
- I get what I want by effort

You know the similarity? Yup, I get what I want, exactly the way I want it. When? When I want it.

However, as I grow older, I realize one thing.

Sometimes in life we need to wait. Success doesn't come overnight, character is not built in one day, and love doesn't grow in one or two movie sessions.

Sometimes we wait and wait and wait, and nothing happens. That's called fate my friend. We are just not meant to have that thing, and that's okay. When we look back, don't you realize... How much have we grown in strength and personality as the result of waiting? For me, that's a lot. A LOT. A LOT.

*Thanks to some of the people in my past, I now believe that BITCHES do exist, thanks to you*

Quoting Steve Jobs, life can only be understood backwards, but it can be done only forwards. How true is that?

For me at the moment, as part of my New Year's resolution, I want to listen to my inner voice more. Sometimes, somehow I already know that something shouldn't be done and when I did that, my inner voice shouted, cried, and objected. However, I still did it. I was not happy after doing that thing. I think God (or whatever your higher power is) has already put that inner voice to guide us, to do "supposed to be the right thing", and we might end up doing the right thing (or probably not).

But don't you realize, when we follow our heart, we are happier?

I Cooked!!!

2009-01-05T22:24:00.008+08:00

Yes, I finally cooked something for the first time since... last year? *can't remember, too long already*

None of my family members is gifted with cooking skill, so it's not my fault to be a terrible cook =D

Nevertheless, we finally managed to cook something.

Yay, so excited!!!

A proud us

Our masterpiece - black pepper chicken. I know it doesn't look very pretty, but it does taste delicious

supposed to be Foo Yung Hai

Getting fatter after eating - who cares??!

Lady boss and her two bodyguards

Nasty pose

If you worry about my health after eating those foods, don't worry, I am still alright haha....

Marriage Test Drive

2009-01-05T00:25:00.005+08:00

My friend and I finally have something really in common, we say Yes! to Marriage Test Drive. Woot!

Before we buy a car, we always do a Test Drive, to know the car condition better. Of course the car salesman can easily describe about the car in detail, but the best way to understand the car is to sit on it, drive it a few rounds. Why? Because that's what we are going to do with the car - driving it.

However, the supposed-to-be smartest species on earth created something funny called marriage. They put 2 humans in one cage called a house, and hopefully they can live together forever happily ever after. And soon after the $15,000 Europe honeymoon, the wife will shout "I CAN'T BELIEVE I MARRY AN ASSHOLE!!!!" and the husband will continue watching soccer on TV - "Oh Whatever, You think I care, you obese gorilla?".

Sounds familiar?

I know countless of cases of divorce just because the couple don't think they are made for each other. And the sad thing is... the husband and wife just realize about that AFTER their marriage (of course, otherwise they won't call it divorce, silly me.)

And you know the best part? The couple realize that they are not meant to be together just DAYS, or probably MONTHS after they get married.

That leads me to the advantage of Marriage Test Drive - to know whether we should be together in the first place. If after the Marriage Test Drive we simply can't live together, no hard feeling - move on, life goes on. It's as simple as that.

Wait... probably some of you will argue with me. Why can't we just have dating? We can know each other also... Well, I wish. But the reality is... the person we see at the other side of restaurant table is not the same as the person who lives, sleeps, and cooks at home. Come on, although I believe in dating we should be ourselves, how many of us are really "ourselves" with all our bad habit like eating with sound, not walking straight and such. At least in dating we try to be "us at our best" if not being another person altogether. And we all know, faking something is tiring. We can't fake all the time - 20, 30, 40 years down the road. One day, a bastard will be tired to pretend to be a gentleman.

So... why not spending probably 6 months together in one house or maybe 1 room... to see whether we should go further into marriage or not. Some people will still be able to fake themselves for 6 straight months (they should win an Oscar, or at least be nominated for it). However, for most of us, 6 month-period is just too long not to be ourselves, and ultimately, we can see each other's character at the very core.

And living together will definitely portray another matter - SEX (OK, don't be a hypocrite). Well, I will leave it to each individual, whether the so-called Test Drive will include this or not. I personally feel that sex should be done after marriage.

What do you think? :)

I Wanna Wake Up With You

2009-01-04T10:17:00.000+08:00

I wanna wake up with you
I wanna be there when you open your eyes
I want you to be
The first thing that I see(yeah)
I wanna wake up with you

I wanna lay by your side
I wanna feel every beat of your heart
throughout the night
I wanna hold you tight (yeah)
I wanna wake up with you

All the love inside me has been sleeping
Waiting for the right one to come along
You can share the love that I've been keeping, baby
You can put the music to my song

I wanna wake up with you
I wanna reach out and know that you're there
I want you to be
The first thing that I see (yeah)
I wanna wake up with you

Do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
i want you to be
the first thing i see(yeah)
'cuz i wanna wake up with you

all the love inside me has been sleeping
waiting for the right one to come along
you can share the love that i've been keeping , baby
you can put the music to my song

i wanna wake up with you
i wanna reach out and know that your there
i want you to be
the first thing that i see, (yeah)
i wanna wake up with you

i want you to be
the first thing that i see(yeah) repeatx2

Majorly Infatuated With: The Duchess and Keira Knightley

2009-01-04T09:17:00.003+08:00

I think in Hollywood, there 2 types of beauty. First, is the "sexy, naughty, bitchy" kinda beauty, and it's easy to give examples: Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton, Pam Anderson.

The second type of Hollywood beauty is the classic beauty, and I won't hesitate to propose Keira Knightley as the leading authority. I am struggling to find the other examples. Well, Nicole Kidman? Kate Winslet?

Anyways, I don't think Saul Dibb could ever find better actor than Ms Knightley when it comes to acting as a princess. She is stunningly beautiful and classy. I never find History lesson to be very interesting, but thanks to this film I now think History is actually quite interesting.

The story is about a duchess who was struggling whether she would choose her true love or remained married with the duke and raised her children. Finally, she did what every good mother should do: Children come first.

I think if she were to leave her family and choose to pursue what her mother called as "instant gratification", she would be called selfish and such. I know some of you might disagree with me and saying that we should by all means pursue our true love. But I think life is about striking the best possible solution in imperfect circumstances. Sometimes we need to sacrifice something so that everyone ultimately will be benefited, and Georgiana did just that. She was able to raise her children and Charles Grey became Prime Minister.

Digging deeper, I reflected that some people were born with the silver spoon, like Duke of Devonshire. Some people work his way up and ultimately become Prime Minister like Charles Grey. It's not what you were born as, it's what you choose to be.

Enaknya jadi Babi

2009-01-03T10:10:00.006+08:00

Zaman sudah berubah, semenjak pemerintah mengesahkan undang-undang perbabian di Indonesia dan sekitarnya.

Dahulu kala saat saya masih muda *uhuk uhuk...*, babi cuman dipekerjakan, dimakan, dan kadang-kadang diperkosa kalau ada orang yang sudah ngebet dan tidak ada manusia atau binatang lain yang lebih menggairahkan.

Namun sekarang sudah nggak lagi bung.. Babi juga manusiaaaaaa (lho?)
Babi sekarang kerjaannya: Tidur, makan, shopping, dan pergi nge-gym kalau sudah gendut.

Enaknya jadi babi!

Life is beautiful....................... hoammmm tidur lagi yah ngantukk zzzzzzzz grok grok grok nguik nguik nguik

Random Pictures...

2009-01-01T23:47:00.020+08:00

Steamboat

@ Mustafa, testing the camera

With Yulia @ Changi. We were going to Turkmenistan to feed the hungry children. However, we decided that we should feed ourselves first, so we went to Popeye.

With Tika at Vivocity before Chirstmas

COUNTDOWN AT THE ESPLANADE

Wish you all a great 2009!!!

SENTOSA OUTING

The guy in red is going to get married next year, can't believe it right? He is just 23 with boyish look. OH, the guy in green short is nowhere near marriage, poor him.

Me - in solo action

Me and the gals

Full team

Full team again, we finally got the seat after so long

OMGOSH, a beautiful scenery

SONG OF THE SEA

What a performance!

28 Things I Did During 2008

2008-12-31T08:00:00.003+08:00

1. Acting as emcee for NTU International Games 2008 with Mr Teo Ser Luck as our Guest-of-Honour and btw, Channel News Asia came to report. This event also supported Singapore's bid as the host of Youth Olympics Games 2010 and we won the bid by beating Moscow!

Yes, the yellow kid is the kid who used to stutter during his childhood.
From the personal side, I grow so much as a person from this event.

In a more personal side, if you wonder if that's the shortest hair I had for the past few years, that's not even close. I cut my hair botak for charity just a few weeks before that ;)

2. Teaching bahasa Indonesia in class for the first time. OKAY, it is only 9 students in one class, but please, the youngest person in the class is the teacher.

3. Openly announcing my support for Barack Obama for President.

4. Playing a competitive badminton for the first time outside my school, and lose it badly. Really badly.

5. Celebrating Valentine day alone.

6. Winning 3 golds and 2 silvers in badminton for Indonesian International students in my campus. Behind every successful team, there is a great captain. For Juventus, he is Del Piero. For our team: me.

Yulia and myself during one of the deciding matches

7. Opening a new blog in Bahasa Indonesia. I always feel more comfortable writing in English, but finally I decided to write in my native language as well. Not too bad....

8. Writing my first short story in English: Rose, My Rose.

9. Writing a controversial post to support Ronald Susilo against his former fiancee Lee Jia Wei. This post is quoted by The Straits Times.

10. Celebrating my 22nd Birthday with some of my best friends in Singapore.

Yes, that was one of the latest times you can see me without wearing specs.

11. Writing one of my best posts ever. The title is Kaka: I Belong To Jesus. I received lots of comments and even more E-mails to thank me for writing that inspirational post. This has been a pleasure for me a post that not only entertains, but blesses you as well.

12. Writing for a published publication: Gema Kebangkitan - Catatan Harapan Anak Bangsa, a project suported by Indonesian Ambassador for Singapore. My article is titled: Dear, Can We Have More Susi Susanti? Please...

13. GRADUATION DAY!!!! YAY!!!

With my 3 angels: Mom, Dad, Yoky. I am so so so so so so so proud of y'all.

And now I can proudly write my name: Benny Ardi Pandowo, B.Eng (Hons), Minor in Entrepreneurship :)

14. Going for a paid interview "trip" to Jakarta. I was the only one there with just a bachelor degree and the rest of the people have master degree. Nevertheless, I heard that I was the only one who get the job... and I half-heartedly rejected their offer because of some personal reasons. Nevertheless, it has been a great experience.

15. Accepting a UOB job and officially become a banker.

16. Experiencing a miracle at ICA. Guys, miracles do happen!

17. Becoming a fan of China after Beijing Olympics 2008 and decided that I must go there next year.

18. Making a resolution: Get married as soon as possible because I love kids.

19. Volunteering for The Salvation Army

20. Visiting Singapore Science Centre.

21. Visiting KTV a few times and have a record of singing 4-hour straight. And losing my voice soon after that.

22. Going back to one of my bad habits: drinking alcohol. One day I read in Men's Health Magazine that alcohol is bad for muscle development and decided that I must give up this habit. This has been 2 months and I haven't drunk any. Well done!

23. Absolutely thrilled with Obama's victory. Change has come to America!

24. Cheated by someone and accidentally visited a gay club. What an eye-opener!

25. My friendster account was GONE. It's just gone missing. Gosh!!! I now primarily use Facebook, and enjoy it.

26. Rediscovering my past-time hobby: Drawing.

27. Attending T. Harv Eker's Millionaire Mind Intensive Seminar and was totally blown away! I used to like to dream a lot and dream big... and overtime, I feel that I don't need to do that because it will cause misery when we fail to reach those dreams. However, T. Harv Eker reminded us that indeed, we are only limited by our own thinking.

28. Batam-Bintan Trip!!!

Looking at the big picture, I think 2008 is a pretty great year for me, with some life transition events (study-work), and some self discovery. Everyday I know myself a bit better.

Next: 2009 Resolution.

Thinking of you

2008-12-30T21:38:00.002+08:00

Do you know that I keep thinking of you every millisecond?

You just don't understand.

I may look fearless in a lot of things, but Dear, I am very scared of losing you. Really, really scared.

...

2008-12-30T00:43:00.008+08:00

Three days. Three different girls. All are single, available, and eligible.

I don't know being single can be THIS good. Life is beautiful lalala.

Theresia told me via MSN that it's nice to be single. I totally agree! I think if I am attached and I keep hanging out with girls, my gf will chop me and make a delicious pork chop. Well, at least it's delicious.

Updates:

- My weighing machine shows that I am on a 3-month high. Bloody hell!!! I always eat healthy food! OKAY, most of the time. Except today's cheesecake (who can resist Secret Recipe?), pudding, super creamy baked rice, soup, one big bag of fatty snack, and one litre of milk. Well my diet is off today (just like yesterday and every single day this week T_T)

What's wrong with Getting Married?

2008-12-28T22:20:00.003+08:00

X : "Why we must get married if we can just do about everything without getting married."
Ben : "OK. Why must remain single if we still can do everything despite being married"
X : "Well.."
Ben : "By getting married, we can apply for HDB, get almost every 2 memberships for the price of one"
X : "..."

Y : "I am afraid to get into a relationship."
Ben : "why?"
Y : "Because I am afraid that relationship is over one day, and that's so sad."
Ben : "..."

Z : "My friend got an MBA - Married by accident"
Ben : "So?"
Z : "What do you mean?"
Ben : "Yes, what's so difficult with MBA. Just marry that poor lady and raise a family, and live together forever happily ever after."
Z : "Well..."

Is it just me or a lot of people DON'T MIND getting married?

Some Frustrating Questions I Received...

2008-12-26T11:31:00.003+08:00

1. Your language seems to be ruder and ruder everyday. What is happening?

Dear all, first and foremost, I never feel that being the nicest person in the universe is one of my New Year's resolutions or any resolution whatsoever. I am who I am, with all the imperfections.

This is my blog and just as a great spokesperson, this blog represents myself. Although I am well-known as a great actor and an accomplished hypocrite, I can tell you, this blog is correct from the the best of my knowledge. I am not interested to run for US president anyway.

2. Who is that girl/guy you refer to when you post those love songs?

Dear all, first and foremost, if there is someone I refer to, that someone must be from the opposite gender of mine.

For the time being, let me be very mysterious (gals love mysterious guys, don't they?). When I get married, rest assured you will be able to download the wedding invitation. Well...

3. Are you qualified to talk about religion when you yourself never act as a good Christian?

Dear all, first and foremost, I am not qualified. I have never been too close with God and I don't think I will be among the first to stand up to fight for my religion if something happens. At least, not for now...

However, let me tell you something. I believe in God and Jesus Christ, His only son. And whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.

I have done lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of sins, and when I look back, I feel terribly ashamed. However, I try each and everyday to be a better person and in case you don't know: Jesus loves me, and you, and them.

4. Similarly, are you qualified to write about love when you yourself have been single for the longest time I can remember?

Dear all, first and foremost, I am not qualified. However, let me ask you something. Just because you pay $40 to fuck those Geylang chicks, does that make you qualified? (Btw, I have $40 and don't think it's worth the money, seriously.)

5. Will you go for a plastic surgery one day? Coz you are getting older and still so ugly and fat.

Dear all, first and foremost, I don't mind being old and ugly and fat, so if you want to insult me by using that way, I am afraid you won't succeed.

However, if there is a good surgeon in town and they provide quality service with affordable price and safe operation, I don't mind going.

6. What's your sign?

Everyone is welcome.

How I Celebrated Christmas

2008-12-26T00:12:00.003+08:00

I am writing this blog with half-opened pair of eyes. The reason? Last night I decided to sleep at NTU (my ex-campus), inside its TV lounge.

Well, I never have lots of trouble sleeping, means, I can sleep anytime, anywhere (including on the sofa). At 2am, I tried to sleep, but the feeling to sleep on the sofa is just strange... so I finally could sleep only at 2.20am (WOW!! Lots of problem huh, I never need 20 minutes to try to sleep, that's simply a waste of time).

FIRST PROBLEM: Some smart scientists out there invented something very amazing. They call it "sensor" and I never think that a sensor can create a problem until last night. EVERYTIME I moved my body a little bit, the sensor would be activated, and that means: LIGHTS ON.

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can sleep with the lights on OR off, but not with the lights on AND off like every 15 minutes.

I guess at around 3.30am I woke up because a group of idiots entered the TV lounge, and they planned to watch TV. However, they took pity on this homeless guy and decided to watch TV elsewhere which is none of my business. I almost shouted when the guys come in "HEY, YOU DISTURB MY SLEEP, YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE???" until I realized that I was in a common facility. Fine!

And yes, somehow I managed to wake up at 8.45am, and took a shower. Today, two of my friends (Yulia and Inge) had a flight to Indonesia, and my friend and I sent them to the airport.

After coming back from airport, I went to attend Christmas mass, going there alone after asking my friend to come with me for 3 times. Lesson learnt: some NOs in life will forever be NOs, no matter how many times you try.

This year, I decided to attend an Indonesian mass and it turned out to be one of the best masses I have ever attended to in my life. I just felt a sense of peace there.

After the mass, we had a little Christmas party with Pak Wardhana (Indonesia's ambassador for Singapore) as our guest-of-honour.

After the party when I almost decided to go home and have a peaceful sleep, my church friend invited us to go to his house to have a bit of eat-and-chat session. I never refuse to go to someone's house especially if foods are provided... so we went there.

We chatted like crazy, took photos (this is our common hobby), ate lots and lots of food (another common hobby), and finally we watched "The Little Nyonya", a channel 8 drama which is claimed to be more popular than Beijing Olympics. I absolutely fell in love with this drama, and I made a Christmas resolution, to reach home before 9pm and to watch "The Little Nyonya" everyday. Yay...

This Christmas is one of the most enjoyable ones in my life. Although I don't spend this special day with my family, I know that here in Singapore, I have another "family", and I enjoy every single moments spent with them.

Merry Christmas everyone. May God bless you abundantly, and May His peace be with this world.

Majorly Infatuated With Olivia Ong

2008-12-24T15:34:00.002+08:00

I support Singaporean singers, do you?

An Afternoon with Bubble Tea Auntie

2008-12-24T13:49:00.008+08:00

I am every auntie's favourite, I know that long time ago. Why? Because I LOVE to listen to stories. I think everyone is unique in their own way, and they have stories to tell.

One of my die-hard fans is the bubble tea auntie near my house. I know EVERYTHING (well, a lot of things at least) about her, from her family (her husband, daughter etc etc), to her business, to her past-time favourite and beyond. Everytime I buy bubble tea, she will stop making the pearls and sit down with me on the table in front of her beautiful bubble tea stall, and starts talking with me. This afternoon, she told me about her neighbour who had just died and asked me whether I want to buy a house and she even told me the advantage of buying a house compared to renting a room (well, I am a banker and I know that in my fingertips).

Then she told me about doing business in Singapore, and how someone can make money and the others can't. Again, I know this topic like, very well. However, it's so interesting to know other people's point of view and probably learn one thing or two.

It's not that my life is so boring that I need to be in the listening side everytime I have a conversation with someone. Given enough time, you can write a book about my life. However, I just love listening to people and people like to talk to me because I listen to them, not like most of the people I know...

"Wow that's great!!! Btw, you won't believe what I experienced. Let me tell you my story...."

And yes, they steal the showlight.

I am a born introvert and people who know me well will understand that I prefer to stay in my room reading a good book than to go out partying. I am good in talking, but better in listening. I like to do public speaking, but if I were to choose, I love writing more.

And if I think about it, everytime I listen to people, my horizon expands, I know more things, and yes, get wiser and wiser everyday.

I Finally Found Someone

2008-12-24T11:10:00.001+08:00

I finally found someone, that knocks me off my feet
I finally found the one, that makes me feel complete
We started over coffee, we started out as friends
It's funny how from simple things, the best things begin

This time it's different, dah dah dah dah
It's all because of you, dah dah dah dah
It's better than it's ever been
'Cause we can talk it through
Oohh, my favorite line was "Can I call you sometime?"
It's all you had to say to take my breath away

(Chorus)
This is it, oh, I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one, to be with every night
'Cause whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone, ooh, someone
I finally found someone, oooh

Did I keep you waiting, I didn't mind
I apologize, baby, that's fine
I would wait forever just to know you were mine
And I love your hair, sure it looks fine
I love what you wear, isn't it the time?
You're exceptional, I can't wait for the rest of my life

(Repeat Chorus)

Whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone

Quotes of The Day

2008-12-22T21:55:00.005+08:00

"Don't marry someone you can live with, find the one you can't live without."

someone-out-there

"I don't ask you to always be here. I want you to leave me... once, twice. But please come back after you realize that you simply can't live without me."

Benny Pandowo

Good night, sweet dream

"Siapa Cewek Idola Kamu?"

2008-12-22T20:50:00.008+08:00

Denger-denger nih, kepribadian seorang cowok bisa dilihat dari jawaban dia atas pertanyaan "Siapa sih cewek idola kamu?"

1. Angelina Jolie, Lindsay Lohan, atau the mightiest ever Britney Spears

Cowok pecinta cewek-cewek super cantik dan super glamor biasanya bisa dijumpai di bar-bar atau party-party terbesar di kota. Mereka kadang tampil dengan dandanan super norak, super trendy, dan mobil super keren (biarpun semuanya belongs to Ortu).

Cowok pecinta cewek-cewok Hollywood biasanya belum siap buat menikah dan berjiwa hedonis sejati. Pacaran? OKE. TTM? Oke bangets. Nikah? Wait, apa nggak terlalu cepat?

2. Almarhum Lady Di, Sarah Palin, Margaret Thatcher, atau mungkin Megawati Soekarnoputri

Cowok-cowok yang doyan politik biasanya punya pandangan yang kritis terhadap dunia. Bacaan sehari-harinya Times, Newsweek, atau Tempo buat yang tinggal di Tanah Airku Indonesia.

Cowok pendoyan wanita-wanita terhormat biasanya juga gila hormat. Dia suka memimpin, kekuasaan, kehormatan, dan yang terpenting dari semua - uang. Memang uang bukan segalanya, masih ada Visa kok.

Cowok-cowok tipe ini biasanya sudah cukup matang dan siap melakoni tahapan selanjutnya dalam hidup - bahtera pernikahan. Tapi jangan harap suami anda bakal menjadi ISTI (Ikatan Suami Takut Istri), yang ada malahan IITS (Ikatan Istri Takut Suami). Bersiaplahhh...

3. Maria Sharapova, Laila Ali, atau Annika Sorenstam

Berbahagialah cewek-cewek yang punya cowok penggemar Maria Sharapova atau atlet-atlet lainnya. Alasannya: Cowok-cowok tipe ini bisa melihat kecantikan alami dari seseorang, way beyond the make-up. Pernah lihat nggak lihat atlet pakai make-up setebal 1cm waktu lagi olahraga?

Lelaki penggemar atlet wanita biasanya penggemar sport juga dan menurut research, adalah pria-pria paling gentle, kompetitif, dan energetic. Kurang apa coba?

4. Christiano Ronaldo (lho?)

Kalau cowok anda lebih pilih Christiano Ronaldo ketimbang Maria Sharapova, atau David Beckham ketimbang istrinya, dia gay. Gampang kan?

Disclaimer:
1. Penelitian di atas tidak berdasar metode ilmiah whatsoever, dan ketepatannya tidak dijamin oleh penulis. Cuman buat fun ajahhh baby!

2. Penulis adalah fans berat Maria Sharapova dan Lady Di. Gimana donks?

Quote of The Day

2008-12-20T01:04:00.002+08:00

"I am not always right, but at least I know I am right in 2 things: Everything I do and Everything I say. Period."

Benny Pandowo

Good night, sweet dream.

2008-12-19T17:20:00.007+08:00

Crush pertama, gaji pertama, boong pertama, travelling pertama. Ada banyak "pertama" dalam hidup kita.

Inget nggak sih gimana rasanya terima gaji pertama? Gaji pertama saya adalah saat saya bekerja sebagai seorang waiter di sebuah restoran di Singapura. Dua.puluh.delapan.dolar. Tapi senangnya seperti baru menang lotre 1 juta dolar.

Crush pertama saya terjadi saat saya masih polos dan imut (sekarang juga masih imut, tapi udah nggak polos hueheheheh). Hati dagdigdug 150 kali permenit, tangan dingin kayak es batu, ngomong tergagap-gagap kayak lihat hantu. Oh indahnya masa remaja...

Kalau kita renungkan, takut nggak sih melakukan sebuah hal untuk pertama kalinya? Takut donk yah. Saat kita naik roller coaster buat pertama kali. MAMIIIIIII... Saya takut dilempar-lempar sama mesin, di udara lagi. Syereemmm....

Tapi guys, kebayang gak sih se-boring apa hidup kita kalau kita tidak berani melangkahkan injakan pertama buat melakukan hal yang baru, yang sebelumnya tidak pernah kita bayangkan?

Kalau Obama berpikir bahwa Amerika belum siap punya presiden kulit hitam, dan dia tidak berani mendaftar jadi kandidat Partai Demokrat, dia tidak akan jadi presiden.

Kalau Nelson Mandela tidak berani berdiri, fight buat warga kulit hitam di Afrika Selatan dan bilang "okay, enough is enough", kita mungkin akan selamanya hidup dengan diskriminasi dimana-mana.

Dan kalau saya tidak berani mendaftarkan diri buat jadi ketua OSIS waktu saya masih SMP, mungkin saya tidak akan menjadi siapa saya sekarang ini. Mungkin saya masihlah seorang anak gendut yang berbicara terbata-bata, kadang tergagap-gagap.

Guys, seringkali kita diharuskan untuk mengambil langkah pertama. Just Freaking Do It! Dan kata orang-orang, saat kita umur 70 dan kita duduk di kursi malas sambil minum teh, kita akan lebih menyesali hal-hal yang kita tidak berani lakukan, dibanding hal-hal yang kita berani lakukan namun tidak sempurna hasilnya. So, just freaking do it, hidup ini cuma sekali.

Santa Claus is NOT coming to Town due to Recession

2008-12-18T23:02:00.005+08:00

Christmas is coming, yes. However, this time around, Santa won't be coming to town because of the financial crisis... together with a jingle. So, don't expect Santa to bring you presents because his investment is also in trouble.

Recession is Coming To Town
(Adapted from "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" song)

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town

It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!

Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

Disclaimer: Although I found this jingle to be very creative and totally hilarious, I may not necessarily agree with the idea. Come on, bad times will last and in fact, this is the best time to invest in my opinion (How much LOWER can it go?)

Despite everything, I wish you an early Merry Christmas and God bless...

UPDATES.

2008-12-16T12:50:00.004+08:00

I am writing this post in my office, for the first time ever. It's lunchtime now and I skip lunch because I am so fat like pig. Nevertheless, my company is so lucky to have a hardworking employees like me who never blogs during office hours =D

UPDATES:
- More and more gays approach me in one way or another and I have absolutely no idea why. I don't start the fire (and if you think that having a boyish look is one way to start the fire, blame my parents for giving birth to such a cute son.)

And let me repeat again, I am very clear with my sexuality. I like babes and babies, and I am ready to get married by tomorrow if I meet the right person.

- I will be spending Christmas in Singapore, and if I am not working on that day, that's already a blessing.

- I have watched Twilight and wondering why everytime I watch movies, they are just getting better. Is it just me or the Hollywood guys really are getting more and more talented?

- My only true love in soccer, Juventus trashed AC Milan with a convincing 4-2 at home. We all know, trophies are temporary, greatness is eternal.

- After so long, I finally am falling in love again.

Benny Pandowo is Ngebeting Punya Anak

2008-12-15T00:18:00.007+08:00

Gue sangat suka anak-anak (bukan pedofil lho, tapi bener2 suka as in adore gitu.), dari anak orang, anak anjing, anak kucing, anak ayam, sampai anak babi (anak babi biasanya berjalan dengan ibu dan bapak babi, mereka hobi makan KFC dan musti dicharge double kalau masuk MRT.)

Kalau gue lagi jalan2 gitu, lalu lihat anak2 yang super cute, pas ortunya gak lihat, gue pasti berusaha pegang tangan atau kakinya. Senengggg banget rasanya. Kalau ada ortu yang pergi ke luar negeri dan gak tahu mau nitipin anaknya kemana, here I am. Gue sukarela menawarkan diri jadi babysitter dadakan (tapi keselamatan anak tidak dijamin... heheheh)

Mungkin gara2 kesukaan gue sama anak, jadi pingin cepet2 nikah, trus kawin, trus bikin anak yang banyak, dan here I am, bapak terbangga di dunia. Umur dua puluh tiga. Ck ck ck... keren gak tuh? Kalau bisa nikah muda, kenapa harus nikah tua? Kualitas sperma menurun seiring umur, jadi kalau pingin punya anak sehat dan pintar dan super cute aihhhh, musti nikah (dan kawin) muda.

Biarpun kata orang2, nikah itu gak enak. Musti urus anak lah, musti urus keluarga lah. Apalagi kalau istrinya suaranya sekeras auntie2 penjual tiket di Batam. Wuihh, bisa pecah nih telinga. Lebih lagi kalau istrinya suka cemburuan. Pulang malam dikit, langsung diteriakin "LO SELINGKUH YA!!!" Waduh...

Lalu malam minggu, di saat teman2 mau nonton bioskop, para suami2 tertindas musti ngurus anak.. "Sori ye, gue gak bisa ikut nonton, biasa... urus anak sama beres2 rumah." Makk...

Trus keluar rumah dan ke acara2 musti selalu tampil berdua seakan2 baru bulan madu ke Paris, biarpun benernya rumah tangganya gak harmonis2 amat... Mau contoh? Lihat aja The Beckhams.

Tapi biarpun nikah muda dan jadi bapak muda itu banyak susahnya, demi kepuasan menimang anak super lucu, dengan ini gue deklarasikan, gue rela. Some things in life are simply worth pursuing.

Batam-Bintan Trip. Sun, Sands, and oh-SOOO-Sweet.

2008-12-09T15:10:00.024+08:00

Every great story must end,
And every great ending has a beginning,
So let's begin...

Leaving Singapore

FRIDAY NIGHT - REACHING BATAM

We took ferry from HarbourBay to Batam, and it needs only 40 minutes. Batam is great, it's a simple yet tidy city, and the feeling to go back to my home country can make me feel so mellow.

Near our hotel's swimming pool - yeah, it's at night, so you can't see the pool. Haha..

Life is about ~~saving cost~~ sharing

SATURDAY - BATAM

In the morning, we swam (for me, it's not really competitive swimming). I like swimming, but not so much for its health benefit. I feel peace while inside the water, relaxing. Enjoying great weather and playing just like a carefree child. Once in a while, I simply enjoy that feeling.

We took some great photos there, from the most elegant to the most disgusting ones (will post them tomorrow). But I am not going to show the disgusting ones here, to protect myself from all my gay fans out there. Haha.

Posing before swimming...

.... and after swimming. If you think this is disgusting enough, well... you may not be right. Haha...

In the afternoon, we went to Pulau Galang to see some historical places. I have never been very good nor interested in history, but I did enjoy the visit. I did some self-reflection there. I compared the faces of people there and here in Singapore (or other big cities). People there are much happier. They have neither a lot of money nor cool job, yet they look very peaceful and happy. Something in life simply can't be bought by money.

Pulau Galang

The Gapura

It's not Noah's ship. They say it's the ship used by the Vietnamese to escape blablabla. I am not very good at memorizing history fact.

At the beach

At night, my friends and I had spa. Don't think too much guys, it was just spa, and not anything else. I know a lot of people come to Batam to have spa with that extra mile, but not me okay...

SUNDAY - FROM BATAM TO BINTAN

Bintan is world-renowned resort, and given ample time, it will stand in par with Bali (Bali must work hard to stay ahead, I must say)

BEACH GUYS (AND GIRLS) In ACTION!!

In front of our villa. You won't believe that this place was nothing but forests just a few years ago, kudos to the management.

Inside the buggy. It's not a honeymoon photo btw...

BEACH!!! Yes, Bintan is all about great beaches (and babes of course =)). With its white sands, perfect wind, clean water and great food.

Freestyle

It's supposed to be choreographed one, but... haha...

MONDAY - BACK TO SINGAPORE

I planned to get some suntanning in the morning, but too bad the weather didn't allow me to do so. It was raining, so sad. Nevertheless, Bintan trip is just amazing.

TRIBUTE TO MY TWO FRIENDS - RONALD AND EMING

Guys, it has been great to know you two. For Ronald, probably my closest friend here in Singapore, it is so sad if I look back - and realizing that you have done so much for us - from helping us to find the SBS Bus number, to buy the movie tickets, to plan the whole Batam-Bintan trip, just to mention a few.

Two of you must come back here SOON okay. This is an order. Hehe...

I believe, some things in life are simply eternal, including our friendship. We will miss you...

Holiday Mood

2008-12-05T00:16:00.003+08:00

9am: Going to gym, after more than 1 week never exercise. I can feel some layer of fat around my tummy. Well, 1 layer more than usual =P

11.30am: Settling some office stuffs

1pm-3pm: Volunteering for Salvation Army. Guys, they need more volunteers to help out their good cause, so do ring them or drop them an E-mail.

3.30-4.30pm: Preparing for Batam & Bintan Trip. Yes, I guess 1 hour should be enough to pack everything.

6.30pm: Leaving Singapore. Batam & Bintan, I am coming!!!

If you can't contact me tomorrow night to Monday evening, don't worry. I am not kidnapped so even though I know you care so much for me (ohh so super duper sweet), please don't ring the police since they are already very busy.

I know I am being disgusting, but don't care. I am in a complete holiday mood, and I deserve it. See ya!

Four Christmases

2008-11-30T10:05:00.003+08:00

Well, well, well. If you wish to get holier after watching this movie, maybe you better spend that $10 for something else other than a movie ticket - GIVE TO CHARITY for example. Or treat me for a meal, at least you make a difference in someone's life - mine.

Nevertheless, this movie ROCKS. I must give it a 4 out of 5 because it is really funny, the two actors (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) are just brilliant. I think anyone no need to think twice if they want to decide which movie to watch - ANY movie where Reese Witherspoon, Leo Di Caprio, or Ben Stiller acts will do.)

If you have a friend or husband/wife or gf/bf who is FAT and you are lack of idea how to insult them in order for them to go for an emergency diet, this movie will give you just the sentence you will EVER need.

"I think you were supposed to be TWINS, but you ATE the other baby"

Ouch...

If anyone ever tell me that sentence, I will turn vegetarian for the rest of my life.

However, this movie is not without so-called Lessons Learnt.

Guys, Girls (or something in between, don't care), what will you say after your other-half fails to do something, and as the result, humiliated and hopeless?

Will you tell him "I TOLD YA, YOU WON'T SUCCEED. You just never listen!"

or "It's okay, you are just unlucky."

or something like that?

NO, don't ever say that. If that thing ever happens. If your partner ever fails to get a promotion, if he loses money in the stock market, if she "accidentally" buys a gucci bag (this time around, it happens to be the original one, not the guci or guchi she usually buys), tell them...

"I AM PROUD OF YOU... as always. But please return the gucci bag will ya?"

So sweet....

From Art With Love

2008-11-28T00:14:00.003+08:00

I feel that these days my art sense reaches 8-year high (exactly the opposite of the financial market).

First, I visited an art museum... for the SECOND time in my life. I can't remember the first time, but I think it's somewhere around 10 or 11 years ago.

Second, I spent half-day reading at Page One bookstore @ Vivocity. Nope, I don't browse through biography, business, or psychology books. I looked at art books. Design. Photographs. Poets. Cartoons. Houses. Really good Hotels. I must say, spending 1/2 day like that is simply amazing.

Then I did some karaoke (which is one of my all-time favourites) for 4 straight hours. That's enough to make me lose voice the next day.

And not to forget... drawing cartoons. I used to like.. no, LOOVVEEE drawing so much when I was young. After 6 years, finally I can enjoy drawing again.

To be very frank, to attain happiness is not that difficult. A simple visit to the museum. A walk at the park. Doing our simple hobbies. Meeting people we love.

Afterall, you don't need $1000 to get an enjoyable evening.

Things I would Happily Do for Hours, For FREE

2008-11-25T23:35:00.006+08:00

I have just finished drawing some cartoons. Drawing is my past-time favourite, and I won drawing competitions when I was a kid (although... I know, it's hardly to believe if you just see my humble drawings =))

It's quite amazing how I never do some drawings for so long! What the hell am I doing for the past 6 years??? Sad sad....

Anyway... beside drawing, these are the things I love doing (not necessarily good at.. =))

- Playing badminton - used to play 6 hours straight

- Writing stories and articles... and of course, blog.

- Eating - I am exceptionally talented in this.

- Singing - I must say my voice quality is somewhere around Ronan Keating's. Yes, around 40 miles apart.

- Reading - can spend days inside bookstore or library

- Sleeping - again, this is my real forte. I can sleep anytime, anywhere, even when I am standing.

- Talking - I can't match the skill of aunties, but again, I am good at it.

- Shopping - let me know if you want to use your Credit Card after so long never use it

- Running - I am a long-distance running specialist

- Finding people's mistakes - I am really really good at it. You won't believe how good I am.

- Bitching - terms and conditions apply

- Negotiating - anything is negotiable, it's just a wink away.

- Taking pictures of myself - unmatched.

- Playing piano - although I am not very talented, but I do have some flair for it

- Procrastinating - again, I am really good at it.

- Acting - would love to play in another drama

Maybe I should do the things I enjoy doing to make my life happier... You should try too..

Sad Love Story

2008-11-24T21:58:00.007+08:00

10th grade

As I sat there in English class, I stared at the girl next to me. She was my so called
"best friend". I stared at her long, silky hair, and wished she was mine. But she didn't notice me like that, and I knew it.

After class, she walked up to me and asked me for the notes she had missed the day before and handed them to her. She said "thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

11th grade

The phone rang. On the other end, it was her. She was in tears, mumbling on and on about how her love had broke her heart. She asked me to come over because she didn't want to be alone, so I did. As I sat next to her on the sofa, I stared at her soft eyes, wishing she was mine. After 2 hours, one Drew Barrymore movie, and three bags of chips, she decided to go to sleep.

She looked at me, said "thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

Senior year

The day before prom she walked to my locker. "My date is sick" she said; he's not going to go well, I didn't have a date, and in 7th grade, we made a promise that if neither of us had dates, we would go together just as "best friends". So we did. Prom night, after everything was over, I was standing at her front door step! I stared at her as she smiled at me and stared at me with her crystal eyes. I want her to be mine, but she isn't think of me like that, and I know it. Then she said "I had the best time, thanks!" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

Graduation Day

A day passed, then a week, then a month. Before I could blink, it was graduation day. I watched as her perfect body floated like an angel up on stage to get her diploma. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn't notice me like that, and I knew it. Before everyone went home, she came to me in her smock and hat, and cried as I hugged her. Then she lifted her head from my shoulder and said, "you're my best friend, thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

A Few Years Later

Now I sit in the pews of the church. That girl is getting married now. I watched her say "I do" and drive off to her new life, married to another man. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn`t see me like that, and I knew it. But before she drove away, she came to me and said "you came!". She said "thanks" and kissed me on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

Funeral

Years passed, I looked down at the coffin of a girl who used to be my "best friend". At the service, they read a diary entry she had wrote in her high school years. This is what it read:

I stare at him wishing he was mine, but he doesn't notice me like that, and I know it. I want to tell him, I want him to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love him but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why. I wish he would tell me he loved me!

I wish I did too... I thought to my self, and I cried.

Friends, the best time to express your love is NOW.

Close your eyes... imagine...

What will happen if tomorrow simply never comes?

P.S. ~~I LOVE YOU~~ This story is taken from here.

Irony of Love

2008-11-23T01:17:00.003+08:00

My friend wrote in her blog.

"... in every relationship, it’s never 50-50 between each partner. It’s always 70-30 or 60-40. There’s always someone who loves the other more. Whoever ends up with more percentage is busting their butt off, making tremendous sacrifices to make the other person happy."

How true is that?

We make sacrifices everyday for a complete asshole, without realizing there are some persons who secretly wish to be our numero uno.

Research shows... the most attractive persons are not singles, quite the opposite. They are married persons, especially married women with super rich and handsome and successful husbands. WHY?

Why the most attractive "gay" hearttrhobs are straight male actors who are married with two children, and the most attractive males according to women are in fact gays? WHY?

Because it's always challenging to try to get something we can't get.

For me, I know that something is impossible to attain... but I still do it... just for the fun of it. Seriously.

For the first 22 years of my life, I have been in love several times. I must say, there is nothing similar among my crushes except for one thing.... which is...

"They are the ones who broke so many guys' hearts... in one way or another. "

And that makes me thrilled. Very very thrilled. I love the challenge.

Like what JFK said..

I do things not because they're easy, but because they're HAARRRRDD.

Reflection of The Day - How to be Miserable

2008-11-23T00:46:00.001+08:00

"The key of misery is trying too hard to impress someone who actually doesn't bloody care."

- Benny Pandowo

Good night, sweet dream.

Reflection of The Day - How to Change The World

2008-11-22T01:33:00.004+08:00

A young man asked his teacher how to change the world.

The teacher answered:

1. Tell your family members how much you love them
2. Tell your friends how much you appreciate their company
3. Tell the ones you hate "I am sorry, that's my fault."

I imagine, if everyone could do those 3 things, how much better this world would become.

Good night, sweet dream.

(Supposed to be) Funny Quote of The Day

2008-11-21T01:00:00.002+08:00

"Honesty and Sincerity are two important qualities in a relationship. If you can FAKE those, you win the battle." *wink*

- Benny Pandowo

Good night, sweet dream.

Ditolak, Dimadu, atau Digantung?

2008-11-21T00:28:00.006+08:00

1. Ditolak
Dalam bahasa Indonesia, ditolak adalah lawan kata menolak. Menolak adalah percakapan dengan diri sendiri, tanpa lawan bicara *jayus mode on*

Kata Titiek Puspa, sakit hati lebih sakit daripada sakit gigi. Kalau mau membayangkan bagaimana rasanya ditolak, silakan membayangkan gigi dicabut, tapi cabutnya bukan dalam waktu 20 detik, tapi dalam waktu 2 hari. Kebayang? bagus. Life is cruel men. LIFE IS CRUEL, remember that. *berlebihan mode on*

Tapi enaknya ditolak, terutama buat cowok, bisa move on the next day. Remember, not everyone is worth even 1 day of your precious life, so life must go on.

2. Dimadu
Siapa sih yang suka jadi orang kedua? Apalagi ketiga, keempat, kelima?

Dimadu bisa berimbas ke berkurangnya rasa percaya diri, karna berarti kalau pasangan kita memadu kita, ada yang kurang dari diri kita. Kita musti bertanya ke diri sendiri, apa sih kurang kita? APA???

Kalau jawabannya "banyak", well, to be frank, kita layak dimadu. Hehe, bercanda... =P

Tapi dimadu ada enaknya juga, kita jadi punya alasan yang valid buat menyeleweng juga. We don't start the fire, jadi rasa bersalahnya berkurang. Hehe....

3. Digantung
Baik literally atau secara implisit, digantung itu paling tidak enak.

Ini cewek atau cowok mau gak sih sama gue??

Kalau kata lagu jaman jebot,
"If you really love me, say yes. If you don't dear, confess. And please don't tell me, perhaps perhaps perhaps."

Ini adalah hal yang paling tidak enak, tapi sekaligus hal yang paling gampang dipecahkan.

Tanya aja, "Do you?" Kalau menurut bahasa Inggris, jawabannya cuma "I DO" or "I DON'T"

Either way, problem is solved.

Kalau disuruh memilih, saya pilih apa?

Hmm...

Hmmm....

Hmmmmmm....

Saya pilih diterima saja. *kabur sebelum ditimpuk tomat* We live together, forever, happily ever after.

I know I am smart.

My friendster account is GONE!!!!

2008-11-19T22:03:00.003+08:00

Yes, it is gone, and I have absolutely no idea how it can be gone just like that.

I have never accessed Friendster other than using my own laptop, so there's no way people can do something funny about it.... Well they may hack it, but hey... why not hacking Barack Obama's or Paris Hilton's? Why must hack my poor friendster account?

I know Friendster is so out, and now everyone is using Facebook (including myself), but still... I have over 500 friends there, with so many comments etc. No, I am not bragging about numbers, it's all about the memory kept there.

Sad sad..... Friendster, please do something. Please.

Hal Terbesar yang Kita Lakukan Buat Cewek

2008-11-18T22:45:00.004+08:00

Terinspirasi dari apa yang ditulis teman saya (Miss you bro! Kapan threesome lagi nonton bioskopnya?)

Apa sih hal tergila yang pernah kita lakukan buat cewek kita?

Kalau saya sih..... ehmmm.... apa yah?? Bentar-bentar...

Kayaknya gak ada deh.. *terdengar suara gubrak dari bangku penonton*

Saya tidak pernah mengaku sebagai cowok romantis. Benda termahal yang pernah saya beli buat seorang cewek adalah sebuah cincin perak merek Perlini Silver saat diskon 50%. Yang bilang "sukurin lu masih jomblo!" tolong ya, inget karma.

Saya tidak pernah bilang "I love you" dan berbagai macam versinya lebih dari dua puluh kali sepanjang 22 tahun hidup saya. Itu berarti kurang dari 1 kali setahun if you believe in statistics.

Saya tidak pernah menunggu di luar rumah seorang cewek saat hujan seperti di drama-drama.

Saya tidak romantis, jauh dari itu.

Tapi setidaknya saya tahu satu hal. Cinta adalah sakral, dan apapun badai yang akan kita hadapin, kita akan bisa melewatinya.

When I feel I want to give up, you give me enough reason not to.

When I want to cry, you give me enough reason to be strong.

When I feel that life is meaningless, you remind me that you are the meaning of my life.

Kembali ke pertanyaan semula, apa pengorbanan terbesar yang sudah atau akan kita berikan ke cewek kita.

My answer is... "Does my life count?"

Funny Quote of The Day

2008-11-18T22:40:00.002+08:00

"Behind every successful man is a woman. Behind every not so successful one, there are two."

Good night, sweet dream :)

Love Quote of The Day

2008-11-17T23:10:00.003+08:00

"If loving you is stupid, then I don't mind being an idiot."

- Benny Pandowo

Good night, sweet dream.

P.S. I LOVE YOU

Dua Sen Saya Tentang Menulis

2008-11-17T22:55:00.005+08:00

Menulis adalah ekspresi, dan seperti halnya ekspresi, emosi memerankan peran yang amat penting dalam menulis.

Orang yang mengenal saya dengan baik mungkin tahu kalau saya punya emosi yang cukup labil. Saya bisa gampang marah gara-gara masalah sepele seperti pelayan restoran yang tidak bisa berbahasa Inggris, prosedur yang ribet dan memakan waktu, sampai saat bos saya tidak bisa mengerti apa yang saya lakukan dengan sepenuh hati.

Dulu saya sangat suka hobi makan, dan pelampiasan stress saya adalah dengan makan makanan enak nan berlemak. Jadi kalau anda bertemu saya bertambah gendut, itu artinya saya sedang banyak masalah, dan jangan pernah sapa saya dengan ucapan "kok tambah gendut??". SUDAH BOSAN HIDUP YA?????

Oops. Ya itulah saya kalau lagi sensi.

Lalu apa hubungan antara emosi dengan menulis. Menulis adalah salah satu ekspresi emosi. Segala macam emosi, dari senang, sedih, marah, bingung, bosan, dan lain-lain bisa diekspresikan dengan bentuk tulisan.

Jangan takut menulis. Kalau ada orang yang mengecam anda gara-gara anda menulis sesuatu, anda boleh teriak "Bitch, why not you get out of here and get a freaking life!!!"

Ini hidup anda, dan dalam hidup ini, you are in-charge. You are Obama or Jose Mourinho of your own life... and I am still and always be your David Beckham. I steal the whole show. HAHAHAHAH.

Selamat menulis.

~~P.S. I LOVE YOU~~

P.S. Blog terbaik dan yang paling bisa diandalkan adalah www.blogger.com. Jangan pakai friendster. Haha...

Love Quote of The Day

2008-11-17T01:01:00.005+08:00

For me, the key of happiness is simple... Spend 1/4 of your life to find someone you can't live without for the remaining 3/4 of your life.

- Benny Pandowo

Good night, sweet dream.

Teman-Teman Saya Memang Unik (bagian 2)

2008-11-16T22:59:00.004+08:00

Seorang cewek seyogianya bertindak seperti cewek, apalagi kalau dia berasal dari sebuah kota kecil di Jawa Tengah yang terkenal dengan budaya bantu-membantu (Mungkin karna faktor kota asalnya itu, dia kadang disangka berasal dari FeeLeePeen, negeri sejuta babu). Tapi jangan main-main, teman wanita saya yang satu ini adalah orang dengan cubitan dan pukulan dahsyat, sedahsyat seorang instruktor fitness. Bukan main...

Tapi bicara soal dahsyat, beberapa orang memang terlahir dengan kemampuan unik. Biarpun baru tinggal di negara Singapura selama kurang dari 5 tahun, teman dekat saya ini punya kemampuan yang RUARRR biasa, diantaranya:
- Mampu menghafal nomor-nomor bus di Singapura yang jumlahnya lebih dari 200 biji. DUA RATUS. Jadi, hanya dengan bermodalkan sebuah kitab suci berjudul "Translink Guide", dia mampu memberi tahu bus mana yang berasal dari mana, menuju ke mana. PLUS ONGKOSNYA. Wow...
- Mau tahu caranya berhemat di Singapura? Teman saya ini ahlinya, dia tahu perbandingan harga barang-barang di Singapur. Misalnya, mana yang lebih murah antara telor di Giant dan Fair Price. Penting gak sih??? Penting donk... emangnya uang tumbuh di pohon?!!

Apakah anda terserang penyakit bulimia atau berharap badan anda sekurus Victoria Beckham? Lupakan pil-pil diet yang mahal. Yang anda butuhkan adalah seseorang yang mengingatkan anda bahwa anda amatlah gendut, sebanyak 6 kali dalam 1 menit. Tapi kalau anda sudah kebal dari peringatan itu, anda boleh mencoba resep diet yang tidak akan pernah gagal, yaitu kentut yang baunya mematikan, lima kali lebih parah daripada bau comberan. Teman saya bisa melakukan itu dengan sangat mudah.

Terakhir, kalau anda membutuhkan seorang pembicara untuk mengisi acara buka puasa atau penyegaran rohani, makan malam perusahaan, atau untuk sekedar mengisi waktu saat anda lagi menunggu giliran boker di toilet umum, anda bisa panggil teman saya yang punya kemampuan berceramah setingkat dengan AA Gym.

Oh iya, kalau anda seorang istri yang sudah bosan dengan suami anda, anda bisa menyewa jasa seorang pegawai bank spesialis penakluk hati tante-tante kekurangan kasih sayang (Tapi sayangnya, banyak om-om yang juga kepincut). Dia adalah teman dari teman saya *kedip mata*

Teman-teman saya memang unik-unik.

20 Crazy Things I would do for FREE

2008-11-15T00:38:00.002+08:00

20. Dating someone 20 years older than me

19. Acting in an action movie without stuntman

18. Driving at 140 km/hour to impress someone

17. Swimming naked when noone is looking

16. Sleeping naked in my single room

15. Eating any disgusting meal, as long as it sounds French.

14. Proposing to my future wife in front of her parents

13. Becoming a safe-sex ambassador

12. Writing a hate letter for someone I really hate

11. Acting as a gay in a movie, and doing anything to make the movie looks real... anything but sex.. unless you are Brad Pitt *wink*

10. Going for a speed dating or a blind date.

9. Crying when giving a speech

8. Working 48 hours straight without sleeping for a deadline

7. Spending 1 year for a good cause in Africa

6. Asking a person beside me to combine purchase if that can save us $10 each

5. Knocking door to door to ask for a donation drive I believe in

4. Being a husband at the age of 23, and a father soon after that

3. Being raped by Angelina Jolie (who doesn't want, stupid?)

2. Waiting 10 years for someone I truly love

1. Writing 20 crazy things I would do for FREE :)

Gays, Gay Club, and I.

2008-11-13T23:22:00.005+08:00

He is handsome, tanned, and toned. He can get any woman he wants just by asking. He surely is successful with that expensive suit and mobile phone, and he is charismatic. Just about every quality to make a woman... even the most successful one will leave everything and follow him just like the twelve disciples followed Jesus Christ.

But he surely doesn't want a woman, quite the opposite. He is one of the straight-looking men who had decided long time ago that they are not straight, and WHO CARES.

Jack (not his real name) is one of those people who must live under pressure and prejudice. They are successful in career, and are respected by their colleagues. But they will never be treated equal, just because of their sexual preference. They are gays.

And by the way, that spa who is clearly written "FOR MEN ONLY" is just one of similar spas in Singapore. From outside, people won't know what is inside, and when I entered that spa, I was totally lost of words. GOSH, This Is Cool! Wait... I never say I like that place although going to that place is indeed an experience, especially when someone pays for my entry.

That spa is located at Clarke Quay area, a place in Singapore reserved for the Rich-And-Famous and probably the Not-So-Rich-Or-Famous but willing to pay several tens of dollars minimum just to enjoy the nightlife-at-its-best. And there it goes, the place is perfect for some people with similar sexual preference who are different with most people with the same gender.

The place is OH-MY-GOD Cool and surely does it look relaxing. With super-size sauna and comfortable swimming pool, with a bar, TV room, and full-facility gym. It does look like normal Club, the difference is only who enter that Club. Oh by the way, have I mentioned that this Club has a storey reserved for people who want to have a little fun? With private rooms and beds, you don't need JK Rowling's imagination skill to imagine what happens there.

I was invited by a person who I have just met the day before and asked me out for "dinner" (yes, we had dinner at Starbucks, he was not fully cheating me). I am a type of person who don't mind exploring new things as long as it doesn't clash with my values and ethics, and hey, visiting a Gay Club is a good experience! How many straight people have the guts and the chance to go there?

With lots of eyes looked at me with a body language equivalent with "have sex with me boy", I was indeed asked to have sex with them. It's quite flattering that they found me attractive, maybe because of this boyish look (people usually don't think that I am 22). I never think I am super good-looking or super sexy (although maybe my gym membership will bring me to that particular point one day, I hope).

"Boy, you are so good looking and sexy. Want to have some fun?"

"Thanks for the compliment, but sorry, I am straight"

... and yes, am I straight.

Note:
The author is straight, ~~married with two children~~ , but he respects gays and feels that gays need to be treated not any worse. Some people like chicken steak, some people like Tom Yam. It's just a matter of preference.

Everyone is Number One - Andy Lau

2008-11-11T14:26:00.000+08:00

My way is not your way
My plight is not your plight
Everyone has the potential and capacity
Achieve and to conquer everything.

My tears is not your tears
My pain is not your pain
Like the glorious sky, incessantly honor and glory
Have the same moving

No need to worry about your disability
Just needed to calm and steady so could move ahead
Told to my own self, I have to be useful

**
Everyone is No. 1
As long as you never care about can or can't
Exchange your life with one breath
No need to wait to see the future

Everyone is No. 1
Achieving success, do you in or not?
With your true burning sweat and full heart...
The first belongs to everyone

My hand is not your hand
My mouth is not your mouth
As long as being one mind,
Wind and rainstorms have become good friends

No need to worry about your disability
Just needed to calm and steady so could move ahead
Told to my own self, I have to be useful

Everyone is No. 1
As long as you never care about can or can't
Exchange your life with one breath
No need to wait to see the future

Everyone is No. 1
Achieving success, do you in or not?
With your true burning sweat and full hearted...
The first belongs to everyone

No need to afraid, however cold is the journey…
Consider there is warm furthermore... I just can...
Strive and keep running...

Say It Like Obama

2008-11-11T00:37:00.004+08:00

Do you know that our words can make us closer to what we want or destroy it altogether? US President-elect Obama is one example of that. He is one of the most talented people in the area of leadership and public speaking, and I am very sure, his pulic speaking ability played a very important role in his bid to The White House.

For goodness sake, this guy is good in talking. If there is a public speaking competition among US presidents, I am sure this guy will give Bill Clinton and JFK a hard time.

"Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation—not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." That is the true genius of America—a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles."

His choice of words is just superb.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America — there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America — there's the United States of America."

Genius!!

"Today, on this day of possibility, we stand in the shadow of a lanky, raw-boned man with little formal education who once took the stage at Old Main and told the nation that if anyone did not believe the American principles of freedom and equality, that those principles were timeless and all-inclusive, they should go rip that page out of the Declaration of Independence."

"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you."

Good speeches ENTERTAIN people.
Great speeches INSPIRE people.
Extraordinary speeches MOVE people.

For Obama's case, his speeches MOVE people to VOTE for him.

For a very long time, I have never found politics to be so interesting. I am a big fan of him since long time ago, and the Americans are very lucky to have someone like him.

God bless you, President.

Teman-Teman saya memang unik

2008-11-10T23:31:00.006+08:00

Saya punya teman-teman yang unik-unik.

Satu orang teman saya, kecewekannya masih diragukan. Dia punya rambut model rambut cepak yang kadang lebih pendek dari cowok dan gaya sehari-hari yang tidak begitu mencerminkan kecewekan. Tapi untungnya, dia masih suka dengan cowok-cowok cute dan hobinya mengecengin fitness instructor yang cute nan berotot di pusat kebugaran di Singapura.

Satu orang mengira dirinya amatlah seksi. Emang sih, seksi abis. Nal, Tuhan itu adil, kamu ada kelebihan, ada kekurangan. Kelebihannya banyak kok, DUA PULUH KILO.

Kalau cowok yg di atas hobi makan, ada 1 lagi teman saya yang hobi masak. Dia adalah idaman para cewek-cewek Singapur yang tidak bisa masak dan tidak suka bersih-bersih kamar. Tapi sayang sekali, orientasi seksual dia tidak jelas, dan tampaknya gosipnya sih, hubungan dia dengan roomate dia lebih dari sekedar roomate. Silakan ditebak-tebak sendiri ya...

Dua sisanya, seorang cowok ganteng dan cewek cantik idaman semua cewek dan cowok. Tapi anehnya, sang cowok tidak suka manusia, dia lebih pilih anjing dan babi. Rumit khan?

Jadi inilah percakapan kita sehari-hari...

"Shan, tadi malam ngapain aja sama Hen kok kelihatannya kecapekan gitu?"
"Ada deh..." sambil tersenyum manis nan mesum.
Dan selanjutnya silakan diimajinasikan sendiri.

"Tik, aku seksi ya?"
Dan keluarlah seluruh isi makan malam seharga 100 dolar, muntah gitu.

"Ben, ada kertas minyak gak?"
Oops...

"Tik, sorry, Tank is MINE."

Paham kan kenapa saya yang polos ini tiba-tiba jadi sedikit tercemar?

You Light Up My Life

2008-11-10T23:24:00.000+08:00

So many nights I sit by my window
Waiting for someone to sing me his song
So many dreams I kept deep inside me
Alone in the dark but now
You've come along

You light up my life
You give me hope
To carry on
You light up my days
and fill my nights with song

Rollin' at sea, adrift on the water
Could it be finally I'm turning for home?
Finally, a chance to say hey,
I love You
Never again to be all alone

You light up my life
You give me hope
To carry on
You light up my days
and fill my nights with song

You light up my life
You give me hope
To carry on
You light up my days
and fill my nights with song

It can't be wrong
When it feels so right
'Cause You
You light up my life

Buon Compleanno, Del Piero!

2008-11-10T12:46:00.007+08:00

Alessandro Del Piero (born November 9, 1974) scores most goals of all time at Juventus, probably the greatest football club in the world (or at least, the greatest in my heart.. since 1996. That's a freakin' 12 YEARS!!!!!).

For me, he is my #2 favourite football player, only after Kaka. Due to Calciopoli scandal, when Juventus was demoted to play in Serie B, he remained loyal to the club and impressed my heart and the heart of millions of Juventus fans all around the world.

Del Piero scored 3 out of 3 goals when Juventus crushed Real Madrid 1-0 and 2-0 in home and away game respectively. It's the first time since 1961 Juventus ever won against the Spain giant at Santiago Bernabeu, and all thanks to Alex Del Piero.

I think this is what God used when he invented Alex Del Piero:
- 100 ton of talent and creativity
- finest quality of gold to make him remain loyal to his club and his fans
- enormous extract of leadership quality to lead the greatest football club in the world
- finest wine to make him possess warm and great personality

Buon Compleanno (Happy Birthday), Alex!

Backstabbing is a no-no

2008-11-08T01:34:00.005+08:00

No, I will never backstab someone. Backstabbing is so unmanly and it's just for those losers. I am a pretty nice chap, really.

Instead, I will fuck you upside down for days, stab you in your freakin' face until you are bleeding and fucking crying in blood, and by that time, I will be super happy, just like winning F1 Championship.

You know what kind of person you are dealing with. I never proclaim myself to be the easiest person to deal with. Thanks and have a nice day.

Black is the new Beauty

2008-11-05T22:27:00.010+08:00

The Talkshow queen - Oprah

Duo tennis stars - Venus and Serena Williams

One of the world's prettiest women - Halle Berry

The youngest F1 champion - Lewis Hamilton

America's numero uno - Barack Obama

And probably the greatest of all...

Martin Luther King, Jr

"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Btw, this is Obama's Victory Speech.

Yes We Can.

9 Random Updates of My Life

2008-11-03T00:52:00.001+08:00

1. “It has been two years” – my previous post. Yup, it’s exactly 2 years ago... and she used to be “that special someone who never fails to make my heart beats faster”.

So, one simple poem to remember her isn’t too much right? However, as I mentioned in my post, probably 1 ½ years back, she’s out of my life VOLUNTARILY and she will be out... most probably forever.

Love is like a glass of orange juice. If you don’t like the taste of orange, you can add as much water as possible and hopefully the taste of orange will disappear. However, it will always be there no matter how much water you add.

2. I now weigh 68.2 kg. WHAT THE HELL!!! I haven’t done body-fat and body-muscle analysis though for the past 1 month, and I think I am getting fitter after hitting gym quite regularly. I know muscle is denser than fat, so I hope that additional 1 kg is muscle. YEAH!!! Yes, I am a self-confessed health freak.

3. I don’t consume any form of alcohol since 2 weeks ago. I want to be a good boy. I don’t drink, I never smoke. I am a particularly rare species.

4. One of my friends wrote in her blog “Think you’re perfect? Think Again”. Dear, I have thought again and again and I always come to the same final conclusion... I am perfect. Hope you don’t ask me to re-think that again... It has been quite tiring.

5. Work is busy like hell (Btw, I have never visited hell and hope I never go there... but that’s the phrase people always use)

6. I hereby announce... “Ben for Barack Obama”. He is going to win. It’s time for all the Americans to say “Enough is enough”.

7. I am still single and available – the same status as always been, since 1 ½ years back. The application form is downloadable and the application fee is to be donated to my favourite charity organization.

8. Juventus – Roma 2-0. Juventus is back, better and stronger. YEAH!!!!!!!!

9. I am super tired...

It's PHOTOS time!!!!!

2008-10-29T00:33:00.012+08:00

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.

2008-10-28T23:49:00.002+08:00

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

2008-10-27T00:23:00.003+08:00

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.

2008-10-27T00:08:00.002+08:00

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?

2008-10-17T00:50:00.005+08:00

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

2008-10-16T00:58:00.003+08:00

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

2008-10-14T16:32:00.005+08:00

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

2008-10-13T22:46:00.008+08:00

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

2008-10-12T07:42:00.005+08:00

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

2008-10-11T01:28:00.002+08:00

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!

2008-10-07T11:28:00.003+08:00

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?

2008-10-06T00:09:00.001+08:00

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!!!

2008-10-02T23:25:00.000+08:00

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

2008-10-01T13:12:00.001+08:00

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.

Bad Guys get to fuck all the girls... Understand????

2008-09-28T01:05:00.004+08:00

OKAY. I admit. I am angry. SOOOO ANGRY.

This week I watched 2 movies. And those movies make me angry, but in different ways.

1. Disaster Movie

Just like the title, this movie is TRULY a disaster. Have you ever watched a video on youtube where people basically just put photos and combine them with some OH-SO-ROMANTIC songs? Copy and paste eh?

And some idiots just learnt that OH-SO-CREATIVE concept and apply it to make a movie. And EUREKA! We are presented with this load of shit. And I mean, literally.

My rating = 0/5. I guess we can't put negative number for a rating.

2. My best friend's girl

Starring Kate Hudson and Dane Cook, this movie understands the golden rule of movie success. KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Love is a never-die movie theme.

Well, it is worth every single cent of my money...

What makes me angry is, moral of the movie : Bad guys win. Good guys don't stand a chance.

If you want to get a girl, this is what you need to do:

fucking insert some "fuck" in your fucking sentence so that fucking ASSHOLE girl fucking want to fuck you.

As simple as that. FUCK.

OKAY. I know I swear excessively.

Girls, I seriously want to ask you... If you have the luxury to choose between 2 guys, equally handsome, equally rich.

1st guy: treat you like Cinderella, open the car door for you. Pull your chair before you sit in a restaurant (and more importantly, pay for that meal).

2nd guy: treat you like shit, embarrass you in front of your family and guests, and at least use the word "fuck" 3 times in every single sentence of the conversation.

Which one will you choose?

If my future daughter ever choose the 2nd guy, I will send her to rehabilitation centre.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!! Totally don't understand, how on earth a girl can choose a bad guy over a decent guy. Effect of melamine maybe?

But the sad fact is... that's the fact. So many IDIOTS choose to date bad guys simply because they look cool with all those piercings and tattoos....

When the girls got dumped or the guys play cheat with other girls, they cry one night or two. Using up 1 box of tissue and be cruel to the forest.

Cheating is bad, but it can be forgiven. Being stupid is unforgivable, and it deserves some tens of good tight slaps. Those girls should be punished wearing a big signage... "I HAVE SINNED BECAUSE I DATE A BAD GUY AND I GOT DUMPED AFTER WE HAVE SEX. FUCK!!!!"

Well, some things in life just can't be explained.